Recently, I had to travel from NY to the west coast for business and got spanked - along with my fellow passengers - by our chosen airline. I was surprised, and then later amused, by the behaviour of the crew as they went about providing service. The average service was good, but the lows went below the belt.
Let me share some examples with you...
Spank #1
A poor, clueless gentleman is gabbing away on his mobile phone and was sharply told to "hang up the phone right now and store your bags!", because it was soon time for take off. Yes, Clueless gentleman should have known better, but the flight attendant could have reprimanded him as if he were an adult vs. a 2-year old.
Spank #2
Sitting near the back of the aircraft, I was able to overhear some of the crew's whispered comments. Apparently the passenger in row #16 was so "high maintenance" simply because he/she had the gall to ask that their change from a purchase be returned to them.
Spank # 3
I felt sorry for the passenger beside me, who when she followed my lead in asking the flight attendant to include her trash in the passing garbage cart - which had started from the back, where we sat, and was heading up the aisle - , was told snidely to "just hold on because the cart needed to start from the top of the aisle and come down" and that "everyone's garbage would be collected." My fellow passenger and I had to exchange glances/smirks at that one. Why be mean when someone politely asks to place garbage in your garbage cart?
Aside from being spanked, we were also subjected to 'Skyway' Robbery.
Hold Up #1
We were expected to pay $10 to watch last season movies on our own (provided by the airline) digi players. No, thanks - some of those movies are even too old for cable. I choose sleep.
Hold Up # 2
One elderly passenger was brave enough to request an entire can of Coke and was asked by the flight attendant if she would "really finish the whole can?". It was only after the passenger confirmed that, yes, indeed she could finish a whole can, that she was handed the full container of Coke.
Hold Up #3
Another passenger was so dehydrated that he practically begged for a bottle of water. The flight attendant apparently had never received such a request as she hesitated and then conferred with her co-workers. After some discussion, she returned with the answer that the water would cost $10.
Mr. Dehydrated's girlfriend couldn't help but exclaim loudly: "$10 for a bottle of water?!".
I think she embarrassed the flight attendant, who ended up giving Mr. Dehydrated his bottle of water at no cost. Thank heavens... the guy had already shelled out $5 for a box of snacks - which attempted to represent breakfast.
The good news is that despite the spankings and robbery, the majority of the flight ran smoothly and the crew redeemed themselves by showing genuine smiles and punctuating further offerings of service with "would you like anything else?".
For other adventures in the air, see:
1 comment:
Your adventures as you travel are very interesting and humourous. Please start writing that Book/Travelogue/Adventures in the Sky. Give it a catchy name and get ahead with it. It will he a winner.
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