Cabin Crew Discussion

[TheAdelante]

Hi.
I hope that I do not cause offence or stereotypes by posting this, for that is the opposite of what I want to do. I am just curious.

But...I just wondered something. I am a very regular flyer, particularly with Virgin Atlantic and of course among the attractive female hostesses there are often a few male air stewards among them.

Now, I don’t know if I’m just imagining it but I feel like every male air steward that has ever been on my flight seems very camp ... its rather strange, literally EVERY male air steward I’ve flown with has been very camp acting, and I’ve flown quite a lot for my age! Sort of like how Gok Wan talks, I often hear them talking to other stewards saying things like “Yaarr babes,” and doing floppy hand gestures.

I just wondered if anyone else had noticed this? Is there perhaps a reason behind it? Or is it purely a coincidence that every Virgin Atlantic male steward on my fifteen flights have been this way?

R

 

[TheAdelante]

Sorry - bit of a weird question to ask!

 

[Bromley boy]

Now, I don’t know if I’m just imagining it but I feel like every male air steward that has ever been on my flight seems very camp ...

Knowing a few people who work in the industry, the job of flight attendant certainly attracts more than its fair share of gay men (although of course not all gay men are camp, and not all camp men are gay).

I’d imagine that might explain what you’ve observed!

 

[AlterEgo]

“Air steward” - that term went out a long time ago!

There aren’t that many outrageously camp flight attendants around. Certainly in my 300+ sectors in the last few years I’m hard pushed to think of any.

Haven’t flown on Virgin Atlantic though.

 

[TheAdelante]

Knowing a few people who work in the industry, the job of flight attendant certainly attracts more than its fair share of gay men (although of course not all gay men are camp, and not all camp men are gay).

I’d imagine that might explain what you’ve observed!

Really? So what you’re saying is that most air stewards are gay? That’s interesting! I wonder why that is?

 

[AlterEgo]

Really? So what you’re saying is that most air stewards are gay? That’s interesting! Why’s that?

It’s not what he said. He simply said it attracted more than its fair share (a fair share being 1 in 10 or thereabouts). Not that most FAs you come across will be gay.

A gay man will be less likely to have a family, for a start. As the trade already has a decent amount of gay men, I imagine it’s a trade where they can feel comfortable and be themselves, which is generally what the role requires.

 

[Bromley boy]

Really? So what you’re saying is that most air stewards are gay? That’s interesting! Why’s that?

I wouldn’t assume *most* male cabin crew are gay (of course the majority of cabin crew are female) but perhaps a higher proportion than the general population at large.

I’m really not sure why that is! I can’t say I’ve come across many who have been very camp, either.

 

[TheAdelante]

They are on Virgin Atlantic!

 

[AlterEgo]

They are on Virgin Atlantic!

Perhaps they have a note in your booking.

 

[fowler9]

I don't care what gender they are or who they like to have sex with as long as they get me off the plane safely at my destination. My sister is cabin crew and I'm proud of what she does.

 

[TheAdelante]

Perhaps they have a note in your booking.

I don’t understand what you mean, could you explain please?

 

[GW43125]

I don’t understand what you mean, could you explain please?

Sarcasm.

 

[TheAdelante]

Sarcasm.

Thank you I did gather that but failed to understand what the joke was (if it was one)

 

[GW43125]

Thank you I did gather that but failed to understand what the joke was (if it was one)

That there's a note on your booking telling them to be camp

 

[TheAdelante]

That there's a note on your booking telling them to be camp

Ohhhh. I see, haha.
I hope not, without wanting to cause offence I must say it rather irritates me...

 

[GW43125]

Ohhhh. I see, haha.
I hope not, without wanting to cause offence I must say it rather irritates me...

We're taking the Michael.
I couldn't care less whether they're camp or not, as long as they get me where I'm going. A good sense of humour goes a long way though.

 

[TheAdelante]

We're taking the Michael.
I couldn't care less whether they're camp or not, as long as they get me where I'm going. A good sense of humour goes a long way though.

Hmm. I just wondered why there was such a trend...

 

[Harbouring]

It’s more likely that as camp air stewards is such a cliche that even those who are not camp in their private lives camp it up on board. Serving people and and having to moving in a considered way might look camp to some, perpetuating the stereotype.

Camp certainly shouldn’t equate necessary to an LGBT lifestyle.

 

[GW43125]

Hmm. I just wondered why there was such a trend...

Luck of the draw probably.

 

[TheAdelante]

It’s more likely that as camp air stewards is such a cliche that even those who are not camp in their private lives camp it up on board. Serving people and and having to moving in a considered way might look camp to some, perpetuating the stereotype.

Camp certainly shouldn’t equate necessary to an LGBT lifestyle.

I never said it did have anything to do with LGBT people! I just wondered why the male air stewards act like David Walliams or Rylan Clark Neal on board!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I don't care what gender they are or who they like to have sex with as long as they get me off the plane safely at my destination. My sister is cabin crew and I'm proud of what she does.

I agree with that, cabin crew work very hard and must have some really grotty passengers to deal with some times.

 

[TheAdelante]

I agree with that, cabin crew work very hard and must have some really grotty passengers to deal with some times.

Ugh, you’re telling me! I saw a man yelling at an air hostess one time and I felt really quite indignant.

 

[fowler9]

I agree with that, cabin crew work very hard and must have some really grotty passengers to deal with some times.

Yeah. My sister was kicked by a woman within a couple of months of starting the job, said passenger is now banned from flying with Easyjet.

 

[TheAdelante]

Yeah. My sister was kicked by a woman within a couple of months of starting the job, said passenger is now banned from flying with Easyjet.

How awful! I’m glad she’s banned, how nasty.

 

[fowler9]

How awful! I’m glad she’s banned, how nasty.

Indeed mate. Some people are just swines.

 

[306024]

I don't care what gender they are or who they like to have sex with as long as they get me off the plane safely at my destination. My sister is cabin crew and I'm proud of what she does.

And so you should be. Not anyone can make the grade as cabin crew, the training is more than many would be prepared to go through, although of course you hope much of it isn’t used unless it’s an emergency. Knowing a bit about what’s involved I’ve total respect for their role.

Was talking to a member of BA cabin crew recently, who used to work for Virgin. One of the reasons he left was because Virgin wanted their crews to ‘flirt with the passengers’ more, which didn’t sit comfortably with his views of being professional. EasyJet certainly have one steward who is apparently legendary, but I must admit his antics were wearing thin after a flight from Stansted. However the Americans sitting around me loved it so who am I to judge.

 

[fowler9]

And so you should be. Not anyone can make the grade as cabin crew, the training is more than many would be prepared to go through, although of course you hope much of it isn’t used unless it’s an emergency. Knowing a bit about what’s involved I’ve total respect for their role.

Was talking to a member of BA cabin crew recently, who used to work for Virgin. One of the reasons he left was because Virgin wanted their crews to ‘flirt with the passengers’ more, which didn’t sit comfortably with his views of being professional. EasyJet certainly have one steward who is apparently legendary, but I must admit his antics were wearing thin after a flight from Stansted. However the Americans sitting around me loved it so who am I to judge.

Blimey, I can't imagine my sister being forced to flirt. Ha ha. Her background is on the stage but I imagine her "character" on board to be more like a strict teacher. Ha ha. Never been on a flight she was working and would happily keep it that way. (I mean that in a nice way, ha ha).

 

[birchesgreen]

My cousin was probably a bit flirty when she was a flight attendant in the 80s and 90s though was very professional, infact in latter years she trained the cabin crew.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I used to work in the travel trade and we had some ex cabin crew either work with us, or that were now reps for the airlines and came into see us. Some of the stories they had about their hi life were amazing and very funny. They did also have some very nasty passengers some times (as do on train crew sometimes, I offered to comfort a guard who was being very badly verbally abused by a little ***. He was ok though said he had had worse, but thanked me for my concern. )

 

[TheAdelante]

I’m sure I saw a male flight attendant blow a mock kiss at me on a flight to Fuerteventura! It freaked me out to say the least...