So many times in my career I've wanted to do what Steven Slater did.
So. Many. Times.
When I was harassed for not bringing the meals out fast enough.
When I had my foot rolled over by an over sized bag for the fifth time that morning.
When I was dog tired from many hours of being on my feet and the person couldn't be bothered to answer me by looking at me because his laptop/blackberry/whatever is more important.
When I was almost beaten up in the back of a 747 on our way to Tokyo by a drunken passenger.
When I was called bi*ch to my face.
When I was harassed for 12 hours from Tokyo back to Chicago because I informed someone about a safety regulation during boarding and they took it VERY personally.
When I had to arrest someone.
When I had to arrest someone again.
I've been there.
I certainly have.
So, here's to Steven and his future, whatever that may be...
Bravo Steven, the problem was brewing underneath, and you actually had the guts to take it to the next level.
Good luck, and as you can see from the support you have gotten, many of us agree with you.
I love my job, but I'm not a doormat.
That is all.
It's the same when I worked in retail. I just don't understand where people get off being so darn rude. I think everyone should be required to work a year in a service industry and see how hard it really is - maybe it'd help some people be nice.
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Reading about Steven brought back a flood of memories for me. I was assaulted by a woman on a flight. That was the point that my anxiety went through the roof and I had to get family medical leave for it. I was in the aisle serving drinks not even talking with this woman. She came from behind me. Huh? If someone will assault you when you're not in a confrontation with them, what will they do if you are in an argument with them.
ReplyDeleteI think he snapped. I recently had a "snapped" moment at the job I left last month. There's only so much a person can take. Physical and emotional abuse are not a part of anyone's job description.
Wow! I fortunately cannot relate to Steven, but I did spend two years as a flight attendant. I worked for a charter airline and perhaps that made all the difference. I am just as appalled at the lack of respect given to those in the customer service industry as I am by the lack of customer service offered by those IN the industry. There are always a few bad apples. Pulling the emergency slide is very serious in my opinion, costly, dangerous and for passengers that grip the seat handles and pop sleeping pills just to make it through a flight it can be devastating. No one likes to be pushed around and the amount of sleep deprivation experience by flight attendants makes us all want to "go there" sometimes, but I just can't cheer on bad behavior. Everyone involved in this situation was wrong...the passenger, the flight attendant, and probably the airline but two (or three) wrongs DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT. Just another opinion...thanks for letting me share.
ReplyDeletei am so glad i stumbled onto your blog! this is the "reality" of the job isn't it? it is my dream to be a flight attendant... someday, maybe to even experience it for a little bit. i've always LOVED flying and i've always admired the attendants must run around and take care of the entire flight. your job is awesome even with the flaws. it must feel fantastic to get to travel all over the world this way :)
ReplyDeletehi skygurl!
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your sweet sweet blog and couldn't help but click your follow button!! your blog is lovely and i look forward to following your adventures in the future!
xo, kate
Thank you for all of your responses ladies!!
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, I really love my job.
Despite the struggle with the management (that';s a whole another story) and the daily mish mash of customer vs us type of mentality, I have had an awesome career.
I have met some great people and have had some opportunities that I would have never had if it wasn't for my job.
I love it and I always will.
I just think it's a good thing that people can see and that they aren't solely blaming the crew for all that's gone wrong with the travel industry these days.
They need to see the truth in our work rule change, and one division of the company can not carry the fault of another, entirely.
I guess that's all I wanted to say.
BTW thank you so much for the new followers, it always puts a smile on my face when I see that number go up!!
x