An annoyed crew?

[nub2ski]

In the recent column, "How to get kicked off a flight," you give your top ten ways to annoy the crew. Although the ten things that got people kicked off flights are truly crappy, the ten things that you list as annoying are mostly just part of your job. I've worked in service industries in the past, and these days I fly at least twice a week; I'd expect a flight attendant to deal with most of these with a smile. Specific comments:



1. Press the flight attendant call button repeatedly. It will send a tone into the galley that will drive us mad after a while.



> okay - that's indeed rude. but to get the pax to stop, just go see what he wants.



2. Tap us on any part of the body, or snap your fingers to get our attention.



> It's loud in an airplane - sometimes shouting just doesn't work. A touch on the shoulder isn't common, but shouldn't be considered rude in such close quarters either.



3. Pile the dishes and trash on your meal tray in such a way that when it is collected, everything falls all over the floor. Then sneer at us as if it is our fault.



> Y'know - an airplane seat is an awfully cramped space, and those trays come with quite a lot of packaging to sort out and throw away. Did ya ever thing that the pax might be doing his best too?



4. Ask several different flight attendants for the same thing.



> okay.



5. Talk to us with your mouth full, thus showering us with your food and spittle.



> Sometimes I feel like the FA is always in a hurry - that I've only got his attention for a few seconds. Maybe those seconds I've got food in my mouth. What then?



6. Come back to our galley, and pass gas or throw up.



> Who designed the airplane with the lav next to the galley anyway?



7. Let your kids run around unattended.



> Where exactly are these kids running? It's pretty close quarters in an airplane.



8. Ask for three or more drinks at a time.



> Just say "no".



9. Take a bite out of your meal and reconsider entree choices.



> The food is usually pretty poor.



10. Hand us your warm and gushy sick bag or diaper.



> My first reaction was, "ew!" but my second was, can't you help a sick person or a parent out? It's not like there are trash barrels every three rows on an Airbus.



It's your job. These are all things that you're likely to encounter on a regular basis in your job. Keep doing it with a smile, or find another career.



Brian, nub2ski@aol.com

[Anonymous]

Considering the very low level of service that has become acceptible service on an airplane I would prefer there were no stewardesses on any flights. At least then I could avoid being hit with errant drink carts.

[Guest 2]

No flight attendant to save your sorry ass should something happen to you or the aircraft...

[PhilG]

I find a little courtesy goes a long way towards making things tolerable, plus I find most FAs repsond in kind. When boarding I always speak to them and ask how they are. If they are having a bad day, I always smile and say I hope it gets better. When they hand me something I always say thank you and smile back at them, same for when I don't want something. Getting an extra drink, is no problem, I always preface it with a smile, and I ask..."I know you'll be busy later, and not wanting to run up here, so if its not an inconvience could I get a second drink." And I thank them afterwards, and mean it.

Don't forget what your parents taugh you about courtesy, it makes it a lot easier to deal with everyone. I have had lots of FAs talk to me during the flight just becuase I am a kind face on board...it makes the flight better for both of us......Traveling with an infant and need to changes diapers, take along a few ziplog bags (gallon size). Works for airsickness bags too! It really isn't too hard it you are creative....

[Scott]

Originally posted by Guest 2
No flight attendant to save your sorry ass should something happen to you or the aircraft...



I'm trying to think of the last time I heard of something bad happening to an aircraft where:



a. Anyone survived

b. The flight attendant was responsible for saving passengers



Don't get me wrong. I know that FA's are trained pro's. But the reality of air travel is such that when something does go wrong - it's usually either going to be a situation that no one can help you with or something that each airline passenger knows how to handle (fasten your seat belt?)

[fedup]

I just read your pathetic article. In a word you come off '*****Y' which is just what I have come to expect from the average fht attendent these days. I have logged in excess of 1,000,000. flown miles on American Airlines alone and have seen flight attendents treat passengers with less consideration than some prision guards afford inmates. The fact of the matter is all the major legecy carriers would be bankrupt without billions of federal dollars being funnelled to kept these very poorly run corporations afloat. You would be out of a job, a job that would likely qualify you to work in a truck stop diner. Do not give me that crap that your aboard primarily for my safety. Remeber the

[James Wysong]

First of all, it was an article mixed with humor and information. How to annoy your crew, I did not say whether it was a valid complaint, just as a matter of fact. I know that airline employees can frustrate the hell out of you, they anger me often as well, and I am one.



There are good and bad eggs in every facet of society, of course we only remember the bad ones. Flight attendants are there primarily for your safety, and there have been many cases where flight attendants have made a huge difference. Latest big event was the shoe bomber on American Airlines, or the countless evacuations that you never hear about.



When I do my next article on how flight attendants annoy passengers, will there be anyone sticking up for the crew? I give as good as I get, and in those articles I make fun of myself more than anyone. Laugh a little, it makes the airline food (or the lack of) go down a little easier.

[jfrenaye]

While I can see both siddes of this fence, I do have to come to the defense of the FAs. If nothing else they are observant. They are looking for situations that may cause a problem--a drunk passenger, an ill passenger, etc.



It was a FA that noticed the Shoe Bomber. I was on an Iberia Flight from Barcelona to LHR and the girl behine me went into diabetic shock. Her seatmate thought she was sleeping, but an alert FA picked it out and got her the medical attention she needed. Without the FA--the girl could have been DOA at LHR.



Everyone has aspects of the job that they don't like. I feel sorry for the FA because on every flight it must seem as if there are 200 bosses looking over their shoulder.



One previous poster suggested being civil and polite. Hey, now there is a novel idea.



Flying sucks--face it. I am sure it is no more enjoyable for the FAs as it is the passengers, so we need to make the best of our short time in the air.



It is funny that James voices (tongue firmly in cheek as always) peeves about passengers and gets lambasted and is expected to take it. Yet when the passengers voice their peeves he is also expected to take it.

[stephen_s]

I respect Flight Attendants and I don't know how they can deal with some of the situations. I remember a particular situation where I was flying from Orlando to New York. The plane was full of tourists and the weather was really bad. The passengers started getting impatient and demanding, yet, through it all, not once did the Flight Attendants lose their cool. They accommodated everyone. After the flight I thanked them and I also wrote the airline telling them how impressed I was.



Note to fedup: you may have flown a million miles, but maybe you need to check your spelling before you hit the SUBMIT button. Also, why don't YOU try being a flight attendant and see how you deal with a difficult situation.

[Joe]

Originally posted by James Wysong
First of all, it was an article mixed with humor and information. How to annoy your crew, I did not say whether it was a valid complaint, just as a matter of fact. I know that airline employees can frustrate the hell out of you, they anger me often as well, and I am one.



There are good and bad eggs in every facet of society, of course we only remember the bad ones. *Flight attendants are there primarily for your safety, and there have been many cases where flight attendants have made a huge difference. Latest big event was the shoe bomber on American Airlines, or the countless evacuations that you never hear about.



When I do my next article on how flight attendants annoy passengers, will there be anyone sticking up for the crew? I give as good as I get, and in those articles I make fun of myself more than anyone. Laugh a little, it makes the airline food (or the lack of) go down a little easier.



One thing I would like to know, is how do you manage to board the airplane in the first place. I have a fear of flying and cannot get past the jetway.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by James Wysong



There are good and bad eggs in every facet of society, of course we only remember the bad ones. *Flight attendants are there primarily for your safety, and there have been many cases where flight attendants have made a huge difference. Latest big event was the shoe bomber on American Airlines, or the countless evacuations that you never hear about.



While it is generally true that we remember the bad and forget the good, I have been making a conscious effort to forget the bad and remember the good. I have had many wonderful flight attendants, and now I always let them know that I appreciate the friendly service. When possible, I send a letter or email to the airline customer service department with compliments for the good ones. I also send thesee for gate agents, lounge concierges, etc.



I had a great flight attendant from SFO-MIA on American a couple of years ago on the way to London for a short visit with friends. I was thrilled when the same FA was working the MIA-DFW return leg. She was great!

[Skydiva44]

As a F/A for a major carrier, I try to remember the "Golden Rule" that I know we ALL learned in kindergarten....

[TomTraveler]

Gotta weigh in here with a recollection of my own. I can't recall any flight attendants I'd complain about, but I certainly remember many for their great service.



On a recent holiday I was on a late Horizon flight out of Seattle... departed near midnight, last one of the day. Small plane, one FA. She passed out homemade cookies to the weary passengers. Whether you like cookies wasn't the point. It was late, a holiday and something nice to do for the customers.

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by fedup
The fact of the matter is all the major legecy carriers would be bankrupt without billions of federal dollars being funnelled to kept these very poorly run corporations afloat. You would be out of a job, a job that would likely qualify you to work in a truck stop diner. Do not *give me that crap that your aboard primarily for my safety. Remeber the



Hey Fedup...



What's it take to "log" miles....buying a ticket and sitting in a seat? Impressive.



Good luck getting "logging" more miles in the future when those you insult have moved on to another job. And FYI, those crews won't be going on to a truck stop diner....they'll go on to the alternative careers they have been building in law, medicine, investing, and such. As for the "crap" -- it's only a Federal law that requires FA's and all they do...so complain about that to Congress. You labor under the misconception that there is some need for people to fly you anywhere at rates that don't cover costs.

[FFlier]

People are people and they're going to polite or rude depending on their personality. I've had really great flight attendants and some terrible ones. However, I do hold people to the standards of their job, just as you should hold me to mine. When you are in uniform, there are certain aspects of being a F/A that I wish some would do more professionally.



1. I wish some flight attendants wouldn't lump us together as chattel. Just because you've been having a rough time with other passengers, please don't treat me as one of the rabble. I know it's hard, but I'd like to be considered an individual and because they have been rude to you, please don't be short with me.



2. When you're coming by to pick up the trash, I wish you wouldn't race past me while looking down. Sometimes you miss my arm holding out an empty cup. To not bother you because you look so busy, I will stuff my cup in my carry-on under my seat, and throw it away when I get off at the terminal but I wished I could have gotten your attention to throw it away in the first place.



3. I take red-eyes frequently and you may not know it, but we notice that you are tired and cranky just like us. Your voice gets very short, but the thing that separates us is that we are passengers and you are an employee. That in no way gives us the right to be rude with you, but it does hold you to a higher proffesional standard. That's what a service job is and believe me, I've been a service professional in the worst industry - food.





I also want to thank the flight professionals that have made my time aboard or on the concourse so much easier. Thank you David for putting me on another carrier when my flight was cancelled. When I told you I had a business meeting that night, instead of re-booking me the next morning like every other passenger, you put me on another carrier and got me an aisle seat to boot. Thank you American Airlines. When I flew standby and had a connection last month, I was afraid I wouldn't have a seat on the connecting flight. Instead, your gate agents at the connecting terminal greeted me by name and issued me tickets, again for an aisle seat.

[vickiburton]

I can't recall ever experiencing a bad FA, but, then again, I can't recall ever being rude or condescending to one, either.

[sgadless]

Originally posted by fedup
I just read your pathetic article. In a word you come off '*****Y' which is just what I have come to expect from the average fht attendent these days. I have logged in excess of 1,000,000. flown miles on American Airlines alone and have seen flight attendents treat passengers with less consideration than some prision guards afford inmates. The fact of the matter is all the major legecy carriers would be bankrupt without billions of federal dollars being funnelled to kept these very poorly run corporations afloat. You would be out of a job, a job that would likely qualify you to work in a truck stop diner. Do not* give me that crap that your aboard primarily for my safety. Remeber the



Fedup, I've flown more in the last four years on each of two airlines than you've flown on just on AA and I see people like you get snubbed by flight attendants all the time.....usually when they're getting someone like me an extra pillow or another drink. Why?? Because I fly about 200 segments a year?? Because I've simultaneously earned platinum elite on one airline AND gold on another (with no shortcuts or courtesy status)?? No....it's because I remember what my mother taught me when she said "treat others like you want them to treat you." Maybe if you tried smiling, said "please", and rememberred that you're not the only passenger these flight attendants are here to serve, you might notice that they treat you a little better in return.

[skydiva]

Being a Flight Attendant, you are absolutely right about your comment pertaining to treating others as you would want to be treated, obviously the other poster who is so verbal and anal about my job requirements doesn't have a clue! If he acts this way on a message board, I can only imagine what kind of a jerk he is on a plane! I'm sure he is one of those uptight passengers that just goes balistic if he doesn't get his upgrade to first class, still wants to use the first class lav, still wants his coat hung in the first class closet, etc.......! But, I have to say it is people like YOU that make me want to come to work everyday with a smile on my face and I thank you for your respect.[
[/list]

[makfan]

Originally posted by FFlier
1. I wish some flight attendants wouldn't lump us together as chattel. Just because you've been having a rough time with other passengers, please don't treat me as one of the rabble. I know it's hard, but I'd like to be considered an individual and because they have been rude to you, please don't be short with me.



I wish flight attendants wouldn't treat us by the class of service where we are seated. I'm still the same person when I'm in coach as I am when I'm in business or first. I probably tried to get an upgrade but it wasn't available that day, or maybe I had to standby for a different flight and a middle seat in row 25 is all that was left. I'd still like a little bit of attention while I try to read my email without jabbing my neighbors in the ribs.



A flight attendant whom I really like admitted that she doesn't treat the people in coach nearly as well as those in the front cabin(s)...

[gknyc]

Hello everyone, I fly mostly transcontinental from NYC. I cannot sit for long periods of time so I go and stretch my legs. Since you can't stand in the aisle, I stand by the galley. Half the time I get complaints by the crew members to go and sit down. This is after food service and the trash has been collected and the seat belt signs are off. I get the impression that some FA's don't want to be over heard with there conversations or not to be disturbed when they are reading. While I'm standing, I'm always polite and say hello to them and never ask them for anything. The other half seem not to mind that I'm standing and reading my book and they say hi back to me. When there is turburlance, I always go back to my seat. To me the seats are so cramped, that you need to get up and the crew shouldn't mind that. Sometimes the crew knows me because I work at JFK airport in Customs. I thank God that there are FA's and I respect them whole heartedly. Have a good day.

[missalf]

I fly frequently, both for business and for pleasure. I too have good days and bad days; however, when I have a bad day and take it out on a client I run a very large risk of losing that client. Now, I agree kindness goes a long way, and we all should remember the golden rule but I also feel that the tenets of good customer service should apply in any business relationship -- and when I buy a ticket for an airline to provide a service that's a business relationship.



I have noticed a difference in how I'm treated depending on my seat class, and, I have overheard FA's in the first class galley area remarking that they were glad not to be back in the cattle section with the "losers". Hmmm, I couldn't get an upgrade even though I'm a gold member and I'm cattle? No wonder this particular airline is in trouble.



The one instance that stands out in my mind is a real example of how a flight attendant can make a bad situation bearable, or worse. I was due to fly from Tampa to home (DC area) and scheduled to depart at 4:30. Well, due to mechanical issues, our plane would not be arriving so we were rescheduled to a 7:10 departure. At 7:30 we were told that plane to had mechanical difficulties, and we would be departing at 9:45. At 10:00, you guessed it, no plane. We were told it was late, but would be arriving. I had another must do client meeting the next morning so missing the flight home was not an option, and it was too late to catch another flight out. I visited the desk at least twice per hour confirming that the plane was still coming and the flight would not be cancelled. The individuals I spoke to were wonderful; it wasn't their fault we had been "kicked to the curb" and they were proactive in trying to make us comfortable. We finally flew out at, get this, 1:10 am -- all 8 of us who were still waiting for the flight and could not stay over.



What really shows the contrast between good and bad service is the attitude we encountered once we boarded the plane. Because of the delay I had unpacked my travelling case and gotten some work done, and instead of repacking everything into my carry on I chose to carry my portable projector in its case over my shoulder with my laptop case, purse and overnight bag. The flight attendant who met us at the door of the airplane (remember, all 8 of us for a 120 seat plane) had the nerve to give me a hard time because I had three carry on items instead of two and refused to allow me to board until I had consolidated my items so I was only carrying two in addition to my purse.



I could have understood this if the plane had been full -- I've been in too many situations where people were hauling five and six carry on bags and nothing was said, but to hassle me in an empty plane about my carry ons was just unbelievable. I'd have almost understood if the crew had been working a double shift, but the desk people told us one of the reasons for the delay was in finding a new crew becuase the others had reached their limit for the day.



To add insult to injury, there was no beverage service during the two and a half hour flight, and the attendant actually got annoyed when I pressed the call button to get a drink because I was "disturbing other passengers" (The nearest passenger to me was six rows away).



I can only hope this woman finds her true calling, perhaps in bounty hunting or alligator wrestling.



Just thought I'd add my two cents on this topic, but overall my experiences have been positive.

[DCTravelAgent]

I have never, ever had a Flight Attendant be rude to me. Wonder why that is?



Gate Agents - yes. In fact, often. But Flight Attendants - no.

[deangreenhoe]

I have never, ever had a Flight Attendant be rude to me. Wonder why that is?



Me neither, except once. (We'll get to that later.) For the most part, the worst I've seen is some be a bit flustered and tired perhaps. But, walk a mile in their shoes (or 10,000 in a day!) I understand that they get to deal with the same people who act like jerks in our office with the disadvantage of being trapped in a little metal tube with them for hours which is stressful for EVERYONE regardless of how much you like to fly or not. Imagine being one of two people in a cramped cabin having to deal with and serve more than a hundred people with unrealistic expectations about what your job really is.



Overwhelmingly I remember far more small acts of kindness and pleasant experiences than otherwise. So people, sit back and behave...maybe smile and say "please and thank you" every now and then. But most of all, remember that that FA you might have just bullied or insulted may have to save your ass in an emergency some day. That's the bottom line. 8)



Oh, my bad FA story. (Sorry to you folks in the biz, but there's always gonna be a bad apple in every bunch. :wink: Besides, this is funny.)



I was on a regional partner flying between Grand Rapids and Memphis in first class with a friend. (Betcha can't guess who? :lol: ) In the last half of our two-hour flight we asked for a second screwdriver, quite politely mind you. The FA was quite curt and said, "we're out of vodka" and returned to the front galley. Shortly thereafter I got up and headed for the lav just behind the cockpit. I caught her sitting in her jump seat, stuffing little VODKA bottles into her bag. When she saw me the look on her face was PRICELESS.



I just smiled and whispered, "I won't tell anyone if you share." When I got back to my seat, there was another screwdriver waiting for me. :lol:

[NoviceFlyer]

Most of the flights I take are lengthy ones. Raised in a military family, we moved quite often to other countries and all across the USA. I am one of 6 kids, and our family has always recieved wonderful service from our FAs.

Don't get me wrong- a family with so many children of all different ages gets quite a few anxious looks when boarding, but we always packed a bag of books, markers, snacks, etc. to keep us entertained. Since we were young, the kids in my family were taught how to behave when in public, and especially on a plane.

I remember one flight when we were moving to Guam (it was a VERY long flight), and the FA was so impressed by our behavior, he brought us all a second ice cream and thanked us! Talk about motivation to behave on future flights! :)

[Jeanie821]

I enjoyed this article - actually found myself laughing out loud at times. I try to be polite to the FAs (after all, don't they have enough to put up with?). Good to know that they have the same sense of humor that I do!

[Guest]

Well I remember in my FA training I watched numerous videos on airplanes crashing. Some of the worst disasters that happened the flight attendants and passengers survived. One more thing there is only one person on that a/c that knows how to evacuate through fire and smoke thats the FA. Besides half of the passengers onboard dont pay attention to the safety demo so I would not expect them to know how to exit.

Originally posted by Scott+Apr 6 2005, 11:28 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scott @ Apr 6 2005, 11:28 AM)</div><!--QuoteBegin-Guest 2
No flight attendant to save your sorry ass should something happen to you or the aircraft...
I'm trying to think of the last time I heard of something bad happening to an aircraft where:
a. Anyone survived

b. The flight attendant was responsible for saving passengers
Don't get me wrong. I know that FA's are trained pro's. But the reality of air travel is such that when something does go wrong - it's usually either going to be a situation that no one can help you with or something that each airline passenger knows how to handle (fasten your seat belt?)
214
[/b]

[Guest]

Thats really sad. I have been a FA for 3 years and my motto is if your not giving me a hard time I will let you have all the drinks you want within reason. I would prefer you walk off my plane without stumbling. Some of these flight attendants have been in it too long. Sometimes I here some of them say I hate people. I think why are you in this job?

Originally posted by deangreenhoe@Jun 8 2005, 06:08 PM
Me neither, except once.* (We'll get to that later.)* For the most part, the worst I've seen is some be a bit flustered and tired perhaps.* But, walk a mile in their shoes (or 10,000 in a day!)* I understand that they get to deal with the same people who act like jerks in our office with the disadvantage of being trapped in a little metal tube with them for hours which is stressful for EVERYONE regardless of how much you like to fly or not.* Imagine being one of two people in a cramped cabin having to deal with and serve more than a hundred people with unrealistic expectations about what your job really is.*
Overwhelmingly I remember far more small acts of kindness and pleasant experiences than otherwise.* So people, sit back and behave...maybe smile and say "please and thank you" every now and then.* But most of all, remember that that FA you might have just bullied or insulted may have to save your ass in an emergency some day.* That's the bottom line.** 8)
Oh, my bad FA story.* (Sorry to you folks in the biz, but there's always gonna be a bad apple in every bunch.* :wink:* Besides, this is funny.)
I was on a regional partner flying between Grand Rapids and Memphis in first class with a friend.* (Betcha can't guess who?* :lol: )* In the last half of our two-hour flight we asked for a second screwdriver, quite politely mind you.* The FA was quite curt and said, "we're out of vodka" and returned to the front galley.* Shortly thereafter I got up and headed for the lav just behind the cockpit.* I caught her sitting in her jump seat,* stuffing little VODKA bottles into her bag.* When she saw me the look on her face was PRICELESS.
I just smiled and whispered, "I won't tell anyone if you share."* When I got back to my seat, there was another screwdriver waiting for me.* :lol:
1464

[Guest]

Nice post! I am a flight attendant on a regional jet. Very cramped small flying sardine can. I love it when people come up to the galley and talk with me. When I am finished with my service I dont do a whole lot. Pick up trash every 10-15 mins. So when someone comes and talks to me it is awesome. Some flight attendants just dont get it. I have met some of the most fascinating people on my flights.
Of course then again I love my job.

Originally posted by gknyc@May 17 2005, 08:59 AM
Hello everyone, I fly mostly transcontinental from NYC. I cannot sit for long periods of time so I go and stretch my legs. Since you can't stand in the aisle, I stand by the galley. Half the time I get complaints by the crew members to go and sit down. This is after food service and the trash has been collected and the seat belt signs are off. I get the impression that some FA's don't want to be over heard with there conversations or not to be disturbed when they are reading. While I'm standing, I'm always polite and say hello to them and never ask them for anything. The other half seem not to mind that I'm standing and reading my book and they say hi back to me. When there is turburlance, I always go back to my seat. To me the seats are so cramped, that you need to get up and the crew shouldn't mind that. Sometimes the crew knows me because I work at JFK airport in Customs. I thank God that there are FA's and I respect them* whole heartedly. Have a good day.
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[mercwyn]

Originally posted by Guest@Jul 29 2005, 11:26 AM
Thats really sad. I have been a FA for 3 years and my motto is if your not giving me a hard time I will let you have all the drinks you want within reason. I would prefer you walk off my plane without stumbling.* Some of these flight attendants have been in it too long. Sometimes I here some of them say I hate people. I think why are you in this job?
5928


In my experience which covers a range of years that I would hate to admit and both international and domestic flight I have only encountered one FA who would qualify for a negative label. Most FAs seem to be middle of the road, hard at work and just trying to get by. A few are truly outstanding and do their best to make flying a great experience.

The bad one was on a flight from Atlanta to SLC back in 1988. We (my wife and I) had taken our seats, a window and the middle when an elderly woman shuffled down the aisle with a carry on bag. She asked the FA if the FA could assist her in putting the bag in the overhead. The FA said "that's not part of my job". So I stood up to assist the woman with the bag and the FA told me to "Sit down and let her (pointing to the woman) put her bag away". When I try to explain that I was going to put it in the overhead the FA yelled "I said sit down and I mean sit down. Do it and shut up." Needless to say everyone on the flight heard this. I sat down and pulled out pen and paper and started to write down her name. She grabbed the pen out of my hand and told me that if I did anything else she would have me removed from the flight. I knew enough to know that she could do that so I sat there, like a lump on a log, watching this elderly woman struggle to get her bag in the overhead. And of course no one else could get by her to complete the boarding process. I did and do remember her name and I did write her up when I arrived into SLC.

That's the only really bad experience I've had with an FA.

[hc1946]

I would like to add my 2 cents. I have over a million miles air time and have had only 1 experience with an FA who obviously had a burr under he saddle. Even gate agents who were surly tend to ease up when met with kindness (in every place except Detroit).

I refer to the 1 bad FA as the "bulkhead Nazi." After a particularly difficult business trip, I was totally worn out, got onto what someone earlier called a sardine can for the trip home. As soon as I boarded this American Airlines plane, a smell hit me in the face like I was sitting in an outhouse on a hot day. We were never told the lav was broken, but the door was locked and remained so the entire trip. Since I was in the bulkhead seat, there was not much room in front of me. While waiting for people to board, I drifted off to sleep, I had one leg crossed over the other in such a way that my toe came into contact with the bulkhead. Mind you, I didn't have my foot planted on the bulkhead like some people do. The FA said, "Sir, would you keep your feet off the bulkhead." I pulled my toe back as asked. Later when we lifted off, I drifted off to sleep again and my toe went back to the bulkhead. As the FA was going down the aisle serving drinks, she got to me, reached down and jerked my toe away from the bulkhead and said loud enough for at least half of the passengers on the 50 seat plane to hear, "Sir, I told you not to put your foot on the bulkhead!"

I immediately unbuckled and stood and, in a voice equally loud, told her that she had no right to touch me in that manner and if she did it again, I'd file a law suit against her and the airline she'd never get over. Adding, "besides, if you get this plane to quit smelling like a s*** house, I'll get my feet off your bulkhead." This was immediately followed by clapping of my fellow passengers.

I reported the FA to American and got a form letter saying they'd look into it. Never got an appology or anything from American. That is why I will fly AA only as a last resort.

My best experience came after I had had a run in with a gate agent. When I got seated on the plane (again a sardine can), the FA immediately recognized me as a frequent flyer, calling me by name (he had read the passenger list). He could not have been attentive enough. Another FA on this same airline has been my FA on several flights, every time she sees me, she has to have a hug.

Most of the FA's I meet are really fine people who enjoy doing their job.