If you’ve ever traveled by plane, you probably recall some questionable behavior from some fellow airline passengers. After all, sharing space with dozens of strangers for several hours is bound to bring about some kind of surprises. But when passengers get too comfortable and have no shame in showing off their disgusting habits on a flight, somebody might capture that moment for Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook, and that person may very well be a flight attendant.
The job of a flight attendant has long been seen as fancy and glamorous, but the hashtags that are becoming popular within the profession’s community say otherwise. Typing in #crewlife, #passengershaming, or #bringingbacktheglamour on social media will reveal the pains that come along with being a flight attendant.
“Flight attendants are big time social media users,” said Heather Poole, flight attendant and author of Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama and Crazy Passenger. “It makes it easier to keep up with our family and friends when we’re all over the place, on totally different time zones. Or when we’re just too tired to talk because we’re all talked out after a four-day trip.”
Dan Air has been a part of a cabin crew on U.K.-based airlines for 10 years and created social media spots under the name, Confessions of a Trolley Dolley. He enjoys that flight employees are able to share unique experiences with one another that those outside of the industry may not sympathize with.
“Both the blog and my social media are a place for cabin crew to come, have a laugh, share their pictures and stories,” he said.
Airline crew employees find togetherness in sharing grievances about their job, as their nomadic lifestyle can sometimes be lonely.
“Even though we’re surrounded by hundreds of passengers, it can be a lonely lifestyle,” Poole admitted.
From passengers invading another’s privacy by resting their feel or hair in peculiar places, to flying without a shirt or leaving the seating area filthy, shameful pictures passed around within the flight attendant community are enough to make one either question their career choice or chalk it up as another fascinating and humorous side of an exciting occupation.
“No flight is ever the same. You never know what to expect when you walk on board. Every day is an adventure,” Poole said.
Check out the gallery below for the most ridiculous flight faux pas.
