When it comes an airline worker’s job, perception rarely matches reality.
As Annette Long, a flight attendant with 13 years of experience, previously told Business Insider, people often think there’s glamour associated with her job. “But the job itself is far from glamorous,” she said. “Even if you’re working in first class or business class, it’s not glamorous at all.”
Long said that many passengers often get the wrong idea of what airline workers do for a living.
To set the record straight, Business Insider asked more than 80 airline workers including flight attendants, gate agents, ticket agents, and other airport customer service reps to weigh in on some of the most common misconceptions out there.
We’ve anonymously included some of their answers here:
Flight attendants party all the time
“Most layovers are short, and you barely have time for food and a good night’s sleep.” — A flight attendant. “We spend most layovers in bed with wine and Netflix.” — A flight attendant
Putting bags in overhead bins for passengers is part of a flight attendant’s job
“Our companies don’t cover our injuries if we get hurt lifting your bags.” — A flight attendant
Any trained monkey can do this job
“It takes years to get to the point where customers don’t see you sweat and you give excellent customer service.” — An airline customer service agent
“People often think that we are minimum wage flunkies and that a monkey can do what we do.” — An airline customer service agent
Airline workers get to fly for free wherever and whenever they want
“We fly standby, and flights are always full.” — A flight attendant
Flight attendants are unintelligent and uneducated
“I’m a huge nerd, and science is my favorite thing. My second favorite is making people comfortable and happy.” — A flight attendant
“We’re probably more educated than most.” — A flight attendant
When gate agents are standing at the computer they’re not doing anything
“Don’t keep bugging the gate agents with questions they have already answered in their announcements. They are working with a time crunch, and all those extra questions are keeping them from doing their work.” — An airline customer service agent
Flight attendants are always surrounded by people
“Far from it — the lifestyle can sometimes be lonely.” — A flight attendant
It’s easy to become a flight attendant
“The reality is that we are highly training to get you off of the plane in an emergency. We spend 12-hour days, six days a week, for several weeks to ensure we are qualified to take care of you in a medical emergency or a flight emergency, all the while serving you and making sure you’re happy.” — A flight attendant
Being a jerk will get you what you want
“People think that by being forceful and belligerent with the agent that they will get the best service.” — An airline customer service agent
Flight attendants are glorified waitresses
“Our job is dangerous, physically demanding, and laden with immense responsibility for the safety, security, and survival of our passengers.” — A flight attendant
Source: Business Insider
Photo: Visual Hunt
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