The secrets flight attendants will never tell you

Flight attendants have all the secrets, and some of these are unbelievable.

Ever wanted to know what goes in their heads as the sweaty masses squeeze into their seats?

Here's some of the best lesser known aspects of being a flight attendant.

1. They prefer working economy to first class

According to flight attendants writing on Quora, the demands of a few elites in first class are actually harder to deal with than the many demands from many passengers in economy class.

The extra duties expected of attendants in first class were another burden.

Nurlia Mazlan, who claims to work for Air Asia, wrote;

My first airlines was a full service carrier and it's stressful to be working in business/first class.

All the extra works, the liaising with supervisory crews and flight deck crews, the 'entitled' attitude of certain passengers; you're always wondering who in your cabin is related to your CEO or royalties or etc.

2. They work out who can do what in an emergency landing as you board

Flight Attendants have to make sure the people sitting near exit doors are up to the job.

Janice Bridger, who has been a flight attendant on multiple airlines, told The Sun

I watch for disabilities that may disqualify someone from sitting in the exit row.

They need to be able to physically lift a heavy hatch (up to 60 lbs) or open a heavy door (several hundred pounds)

3. They continue to be surprised by what people will take if it's free

These days you are lucky if anything is free or 'complimentary' on a flight.

Eye masks and cheap headphones are usually thrown in, and on some airlines, there is a stash of sanitary towels for women to have for free.

According to one anecdote on Quora, this was discrimination.

Well. I had a friend who worked as a flight attendant and she got into a mild argument with a guy who insisted on having EVERYTHING that was free or complimentary on the flight.

He was highly annoying and constantly asked crew for stuff.

If he saw someone next to him get something, he wanted it too.

At one point during the flight a lady asked for a sanitary pad to help her with an 'emergency' situation.

He insisted he should have one too - cos you know, it's free, right?

4. Airlines have measurement requirements

According to The Sun, these are the flight attendant measurements for these airlines.

This is not as old school as you might think, mostly it is about be able to reach the overhead lockers in the cabin.

• British Airways: Height 5’2 – 6’1, with a reach of 79 inches and weight related to height
• EasyJet: Height 5’3 – 6’3
• Ryanair: Height 5’2 – 6’2
• Thomas Cook: Minimum height 5’2
• Monarch: Minimum height 5’2
• Thomson: Minimum height 5’2
• Emirates: Minimum height 5’2. Reach of 83 inches
• Qatar: Reach of 83 inches
• Virgin: Reach of 82.5 inches
• Singapore Airlines: Minimum height 5’2 (women) and 5’5 (men)

HT The Sun Quora

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