Air Hostess Secrets You Never Get Told About

Yes, The Flight Crew Get It On With Each Other

Image Source: PinterestIt's nothing new to learnt that people working day in and day out with each other may begin romantic or casual relationships, and when your work environment is a tiny container in a cramped space, it's no surprise air stewards actually do find a relationship or two. The main thing is to remain professional at all times, regardless of personal lives.

There's No Rules Against Hostesses Getting Involved With Passengers, Either

Image Source: Daily ExpressYou would expect it to be a huge no-no and part of the air steward handbook that they shouldn't get involved with any passengers, but apparently there is no official rule on it. Stewards are free to take up any passenger's flirtatious pick up line (as long as it's well-received, of course, based on how much unwanted attention they get).

There Is Always Upgrade Potential

Image Source: Money Saving ExpertIt's a common fact that if you dress well and behave well there's always chance you might grab an upgrade at the gate if available, but how you treat your air hostess may also work in your favour for an upgrade. If you're polite, smile and say thank you, you might be offered a better seat if there's one available.

The Pay Isn't Great

Image Source: InsiderFlight attendants do a whole lot of extra work that isn't paid for, like all the pre-flight safety checks, before they're only paid for the hours they spend in the air. Attendants then have a large amount of time away from home whilst on the job, but not actually worked, which is paid very low on average.

They Use A Secret Code To Communicate

Image Source: Reader's Digest AsiaIt makes sense that air stewards would make up an easy way to communicate, especially if one steward is at the opposite end of the walkway to the other. But the real reason they have this 'secret' code is to communicate things that they might not want the passengers to know about - such as things that might freak them out.

And Those Random Dings Have A Meaning

Image Source: Business InsiderWe all remember those random ding-dongs that go off after take-off when the plane seems to have settled in the air, but it isn't just a signal that the seat-belt sign is now off: it's all part of their way of communicating, and the dings signal to the crew that the most dangerous part of the flight (take-off and landing) are now over.

They Have The Power To Restrain You

Image Source: I Heart Cabin CrewAir hostesses aren't just a pretty face - they're also there with the power to restrain you should any passenger become disruptive or a danger to anyone else. Air stewards are trained with the power to restrain or even arrest you if you become antagonistic.

And They Can Even Use Seatbelts As A Restraint

Image Source: Transport Security InternationalAir stewards have zip ties on hand to restrain any passengers that might need it, but they also have the option of restraining through seatbelts to keep a passenger in check until the plane lands and they can be safely escorted off to the authorities.

The Air Stewards Are Actually Making A Serious Judgement About You As You Board

Image Source: Flightess.comIt's always nice to see a few stewards smiling at you from the doorway as you board the plane, but they're actually there to make a serious assessment of you. They're checking to see which passengers look problematic, which they'll have to keep an eye on (such as those with children) or who is traveling alone.

They Also Check Passengers Out To See Who Might Be Strong

Image Source: Matador NetworkIn addition to these first judgements, the stewards are also on the lookout for those passengers who look like they might be strong. This is so they can have an option to call on stronger passengers for help in case of any emergencies, by that helping to lift other passengers, helping to open emergency doors etc.

It's Not As Glamorous As It Looks

Image Source: New York MagazineThis job role has a reputation for the jet-setting life, but in reality, air stewards work extremely long shifts, suffer through jet-lag, have long time (and distances) away from friends, family and home life as well as having their job role as waiting staff in the air.

4 A.M Wake Up Calls Can Be The Norm

Image Source: CosmopolitanThe demands of the job would be bad enough during normal working hours, but stewards regularly get unsociable working hours for flights, extremely early wake-up calls, and also sometimes have to work flights back to back without stopping. Just think how tired you feel after one flight, and then think about doing it again straight afterwards!

They're Secretly Counting Behind Their Back

Image Source: Austrian BlogYou might just think that cabin crew have great posture with their professional way of standing, but actually they're hiding their hands behind their back in order to count on their fingers. Air stewards take a head count of passengers when they board, and it's must more professional to do this behind their backs than count on their fingers infront of you!

They Have A Right To Refuse You More Alcohol

Image Source: Best LifeFor some people, a long plane journey is the opportunity to relax with a drink - or, alcohol is the only way a lot of people might be able to remain calm during a flight. But that doesn't mean there's a surplus supply as long as you keep paying for it - cabin crew can stop serving you if they think you've had enough.

And Alcohol Actually Has A Stronger Effect In The Air

Image Source: Live and Let's FlyDid you know that alcohol takes more strongly when you're in the air? The change in cabin pressure means that alcohol can affect you a lot more quickly and strongly than the same amount would on land - all the more reason air hostesses can decide when to stop serving you more drinks!

The Floor Isn't As Sanitary As You'd Hope

Image Source: Travel + LeisureOf course air stewards give the plane a thorough clean, and especially if spills or other accidents happen on the plane floor. But cleaning supplies are limited due to storage space, so it might not always be as sanitary as you think. So you might want to re-think going barefoot next time you're itching to take your shoes off...

They Have A Secret Napping Compartment

Image Source: InsiderYou know how badly you need to sleep on a long haul flight, but what about the cabin crew? With no spare seats for them, they need somewhere to take a nap, and there's actually a secret compartment on the bigger planes that houses sleeping compartments.

Diet Coke Is Actually A Huge Problem

Image Source: Food & Wine MagazineIf diet coke is your go-to drink, you might want to rethink that for your future flights. Diet coke is a lot more fizzy than other carbonated drinks, which means it takes a lot longer for cabin crew to pour out for you if they have to wait for it to settle. Therefore anyone ordering a diet coke is sure to annoy their hostess, just a little.

You Might Want To Rethink That Coffee Or Tea, Too

Image Source: InsiderThinking tea or coffee is a good alternative to diet coke, then? Nope! Attendants themselves wouldn't advise ordered these hot beverages due to the potable water. It isn't the same water that flows through the lavatories, BUT the tanks for the hot beverage water sometimes have their valves extremely close to the lavatory one...

There's A Reason The Lights Get Turned Down During Take Off

Image Source: Future Travel ExperienceHave you ever actually wondered about this before? The lights are dimmed for take off and then turned back on once in the air. Turns out that, in the event of an emergency, the lights are lowered so that passengers' eyes will already have adjusted to the dim emergency lighting situation, and can therefore more easily navigate the space.

Attendants Can Use Their Phones The Entire Time

Image Source: Flight CentreWe all know the strict rules about using your phone during take-off and flights, but air hostesses have a lot more freedom. They have access to their phones, and free Wi-Fi, for the entire duration of the flights they are on. You might not see them using their phones, but they are.

Airline Food Is Loaded With Bad Stuff

Image Source: VoxAirline food has a reputation of tasting pretty awful, but you might think it's at least nutritional - nope! Airline food is jam packed with salt and fat, so that you can be sure to feel full from it but actually it's not very nutritional whatsoever.

You Might Be In Danger In First Class

Image Source: Nerd WalletSitting in first class is a dream for many, and a reality for some, but actually, it leaves you sitting in the most dangerous position in the event of a crash. Those sitting at the very front of the plane are more at risk than those sitting at the back, or close to the emergency exits.

It's Not An Easy Job To Get

Image Source: ECR Aviation CollegeIt seems like restaurant work and waitressing is one of the easiest jobs to get if you're looking for employment, but it's a whole other ball game for those serving in the air. Competition is fierce, and the application stage sees only a few applicants getting successfully through.

But It Can Help If You're Bilingual

Image Source: Internetically9The competition is really intense for this job position, even despite the low starting salary. But one of the points that can give you an edge is if you can speak more than one language - which makes sense when you're going to be traveling all over the world.

It Really Is About Looks

Image Source: Heathrow Aviation AcademyAir hostesses always look good, and there a lot of rules to be taken into account. A hostess's height has to be factored in, so they're not too tall or too short for the cabin, and they must also have a natural hair color that needs to be tied back if it's long.

Having Your Phone On Won't Cause A Crash

Image Source: Country Living MagazineThere's a known rule that passengers should turn their phones off during take off, and a lot of people might say this can cause the plane to crash if there's too much phone interference. Actually, having your phone on won't cause too much disruption, but a lot of cellular signals at once can be an inconvenience for air traffic control frequencies.

The Extra Bag Charge Makes No Sense

Image Source: Conde Nast TravelerThere are very strict rules on how many bags passengers can each take, and you'll already be aware there's a charge for extra luggage. You may have been told it's due to the plane only being able to accept a certain amount of weight, but the plane can actually handle extra bags. So the charge might be something airlines just tack on for the sake of it.

Oxygen Masks Have A Time Limit

Image Source: Science ABCThose oxygen masks don't provide an endless supply of oxygen in emergency situations. They actually only provide around 12 to 15 minutes o oxygen, but it's a fair amount of time while the pilot tries to get to a safe altitude where passengers will be able to breathe freely.

They Can Get Revenge For Your Rudeness

Image Source: InsiderMany hospitality services will say 'the customer is always right', but if you're rude to an air steward, they might just use that against you by finding you the worst possible seat to sit in - like next to a screaming baby. So it always pays to smile!