Dirty Little Secrets From Flight Attendants And Pilots That Reveal It All
Juicy.
Sure, to the outside world, the idea of working on airplanes for a living probably sounds exciting and extravagant, right? The reality is that, like all jobs, being a pilot or a flight attendant absolutely comes with its own cons to counter that pro list. I'm sure right now your curiosity is already piqued because the idea that flight attendants and pilots would answer this r/AskReddit post about the dirty little secrets they might have about their time in the industry was irresistible to me.
So, the Reddit community answered the question: "Flight attendants and pilots of Reddit, what are some things that happen mid-flight that only the crew are aware of?" In true Reddit fashion, the answers were amazing.
Unique personalities.
Pilot here. Late to the party as usual. But sometimes the passengers may be having a nice, quiet flight in the back while the pilots are upfront dodging thunderstorms and yelling their heads off. We will not only transport dead bodies but also live transplants, like hearts and lungs. I particularly like the live transplants because we get to cut to the front of the line for takeoff, and we get all the shortcuts to our destination.Tip for those who get motion sickness: try not to move your head around. Pilots move their eyes instead of their heads to look at the instruments in the flight deck. Also, try to sit in a seat over the wing. This area of the plane doesn’t rotate as much during climbs and descents.Flight attendants can’t do pilots’ jobs, but pilots can’t do flight attendants’ jobs for sure. We aren’t hired for our people skills.Don’t take off your shoes to go to the bathroom. People pee on the floor all the time.Edit: Wow, y’all rock! Thanks for the gold, guys! Blue skies and tailwinds!
giphyI'm annoyed, you're annoyed, we're all annoyed.
Pilot here. We only get paid when the doors are closed and the pushback has commenced. If we’re delayed or sitting with the door open, we’re just as annoyed as you are.At altitude, we’re constantly in contact with air traffic control and change to different “center frequencies” (or control for locations outside the US).We’re also doing fuel checks to make sure the fuel burn isn’t abnormal, dodging weather, and probably complaining about scheduling.
giphyClose to panic.
I was only a month or two out of IOE (initial operating experience) at my first airline job, flying right seat in a Regional Jet. I had just come back from the bathroom when the captain pointed out that several flight instruments on his side had failed, and he had reverted to using data from my side (basically told his main flight display to start using data from the second independent system). Soon, however, that went bad too; the autopilot disconnected, and here we were at 25,000 feet or so, in icing, hand-flying off a tiny little combined last-ditch backup instrument called an IESI (integrated electronic standby instrument, if memory serves).We declared an emergency, asked ATC to point us in the direction of better weather, and tried to figure out what the hell was happening. Icing on BOTH primary pitot tubes maybe, though that shouldn’t happen (they are heated).In any case, we ended up making a perfectly safe landing after a diversion, and the passengers never had any idea that, for a few minutes, I was really concerned that things were about to turn very, very bad and that we were down to our emergency backup gauge.That’s the shortened version without most of the techno-babble anyway.
makeagif
Unveiling the Secrets of Flight
The revelations shared by flight attendants and pilots often provide an intriguing glimpse into the complexities of the aviation industry. Research shows that the high-pressure environment of air travel can lead to unique psychological dynamics among crew members. According to Dr. Jennifer B. Smith, an aviation psychologist, the stressors associated with irregular schedules, passenger interactions, and emergency situations can significantly impact mental health.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for improving employee well-being and enhancing safety protocols within the industry. Studies published in the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology indicate that fostering supportive work environments can mitigate stress and promote resilience among flight crews.
On Guard
I’ve got an original one for you all. There is a radio frequency we all are required to monitor. It's called Guard. It’s for emergency use and is designed for maydays and for Air Traffic Control to reach aircraft that may have lost radio contact, or to relay messages from aircraft to other aircraft, etc. Every day, this frequency is abused. You will hear hundreds of professional aviators meowing, yelling obscenities at each other, and making fun of one airline or another. Oftentimes, what will start it is some poor guy accidentally transmitting his PA announcement to passengers on the guard frequency, followed by the very “mature” outbreaks for about 5-10 minutes. It’s the worst on the East Coast.Edit: Just today, I heard an airline aircraft trying to relay info about a medical emergency on this frequency through one of their fellow company aircraft. They couldn’t finish any of their sentences without people yelling “YER ON GUUUARD,” “HEY, NOBODY CARES ABOUT YER PASSENGER,” “HEY, YOU’RE ON GUARD TOO, EH.”
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An absolute doll.
A lady who was feeling very ill soiled herself mid-flight. A very kind flight attendant managed to get her covered in a blanket and into the bathroom with barely anyone noticing, and then gave her a pair of her own pants to wear so she wouldn’t be embarrassed.
tenor
Pilots are a friendly bunch.
Not an airline pilot yet (just got hired by my first airline and start class next month), but I’ve been a pilot for 6 years. I primarily teach Chinese airline pilots how to fly, but I’ve done some passenger operations in business aircraft on the side. First of all, all the comments about pilots making cat sounds and Chewbacca noises are 100% true. Also, whenever someone leaves an area and switches frequencies, they yell “SEE YUH,” and then a dozen other pilots will key up, yelling “SEE YA” one after another. We also enjoy talking about people who say “with you,” “got ‘em on the fish finder,” “any traffic please advise,” and “tree” and “fife.”Also, the things that scare passengers don’t faze the pilots one bit. We don’t care about turbulence or having to do a go-around. The things I don’t like are things you generally won’t know about – thunderstorm dodging, microburst alerts, ice, maintenance issues, etc.
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Moreover, the secrets shared by those in the aviation industry often reflect broader themes of human behavior, such as the balance between professional duty and personal experience. Behavioral research suggests that the stories flight attendants and pilots share can serve as cathartic expressions, allowing them to process the emotional toll of their work. This underscores the importance of emotional support systems within high-stress professions.
Creating spaces for open dialogue about experiences can foster a culture of understanding and support, ultimately enhancing job satisfaction and mental health among crew members.
Fake it til ya make it
Not sure if it’s been mentioned already. I was learning to be cabin crew at college, and in the event that someone dies onboard, the cabin crew (CC) make it less obvious that they have passed. They put glasses on them, maybe a hat. Essentially, they dress them up as subtly as possible to avoid alerting or panicking the other passengers.
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Oh my.
Pilots are on their phones or reading the newspaper all the time.
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Ya stanky
Ex-airline employee here. Often, we’d have someone on board with terrible body odor. You can set the temperature in one end of the cabin hotter, and it localizes the smell to one part of the plane. If you see coffee filter bags hanging anywhere, it’s because someone smells like open ass somewhere on the plane. Flight attendants often talk about the “hot guy in 23B” or whatever seat he’s in.Pilots mess around a lot up front. They’ll take pictures, post on Facebook, watch movies; automation has taken over a lot of the work on long flights.Edit: Not really on topic, but don’t ever walk barefoot or in socks on an airplane. The same mop that cleans the lavatory also cleans the galley.
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Additionally, the nature of the secrets revealed can serve as a reminder of the psychological impact of customer service roles. Research indicates that emotional labor, where employees must manage their emotions to meet job requirements, can lead to burnout and emotional exhaustion. This is particularly relevant in the aviation industry, where flight attendants often navigate challenging passenger interactions.
Implementing training programs that focus on emotional resilience and coping strategies can help employees manage the demands of their roles more effectively, leading to better mental health outcomes.
Ding, Ding!
The scariest moment of my day is when the flight attendant opens the internal bag door (the closet we all throw our overnight bags in) without calling us in the flight deck first. That ding and master caution get me every time…
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Sci-fi
This started off with us blissfully unaware… and ended with mild pant-shitting. I was flying to France in one of those planes with the TV screen up front to show the flight path and where you currently are. I was just about to fall asleep when the captain asked over the PA if there was a doctor on board and if they could go to seat #. I knew this was bad. The flight path changed to Canada, and we had to make an emergency landing. We were stuck there for 2 hours. When we finally got to France, his entire row was quarantined off. I have no idea what the heck happened.
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Tinfoil hats not welcome here.
Pilot here; most of the time, the passengers are not given the full answer on why a flight is delayed or canceled. Airlines will typically blame cancellations on unrelated events (weather) instead of mechanical issues so they don’t have to pay for hotel rooms/meals, etc.Also, chemtrails are not real. For those of you who believe they are real, give your head a shake.
gfycat
Furthermore, the culture of secrecy surrounding certain operational aspects can create a sense of mistrust among employees and passengers alike. Studies show that transparency and open communication are essential for fostering trust in any professional setting. Encouraging a culture of honesty can enhance team cohesion and improve overall service quality.
Organizations in the aviation industry should prioritize training that emphasizes the importance of communication skills, fostering an environment where crew members feel safe to share their insights and experiences.
You don't say?
My uncle was a pilot. He says that most people don’t understand how much of the airplane is run by computers. The pilots are necessary, but a lot of the elements of flying are automated nowadays.
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Dead bodies!
As said before in the last thread, there is a large list of things that can be broken, but the aircraft can still fly. Often, there will be a dead body in the cargo hold.There is a crash axe just lying around in the cabin. It’ll split open your skull (not tested), but it won’t actually get through the aircraft skin or windows (tested).Lavatory doors can be opened from the outside by lifting the metal plate saying “lavatory” and pulling the pin under it.Both pilots may not eat the same meal, but they might be eating at the same time while the plane flies itself.
buzzfeed
Heckin vulgarities.
As an Air Traffic Controller, we are constantly swearing and yelling at pilots when we’re not on the frequency, and then when we key up, we use our nice-guy voices.
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Finally, the shared experiences and secrets among flight attendants and pilots highlight the importance of community in high-stress jobs. Research indicates that social support is a critical factor in mitigating stress and enhancing job satisfaction. Creating opportunities for team-building and peer support can enhance resilience and camaraderie among crew members.
Implementing regular check-ins and support groups can create a more connected environment, ultimately benefiting both employees and passengers.
Psychological Analysis
This discussion reveals the often-overlooked psychological challenges faced by aviation professionals. Understanding the emotional toll of their work can guide improvements in support systems and training, ultimately enhancing the well-being of those who serve in such demanding roles.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In conclusion, the insights shared by flight attendants and pilots provide valuable lessons about the psychological dynamics of high-stress professions. Research consistently underscores the importance of support, transparency, and community in enhancing employee well-being and performance. By fostering an environment that prioritizes mental health and emotional resilience, the aviation industry can improve both employee satisfaction and service quality.
