Cabin Crew Discussion

[AlterEgo]

Worse than here?

Yes, far worse. RailUK has some strange people but generally they are benign or misunderstood. Any sneering here is generally confined entirely to the hobby (I’ve copped more trains than you, etc).

Flyertalk has an active minority population of turbocharged supercilious gits, often monied and in powerful or influential lines of work, who think they’re God’s gift to the world. I figured out a year ago or more that air travel makes people go funny in the head, and I’ve rarely posted there since. I loathe the place.

 

[Harbouring]

It wouldn’t surprise me that there is a culture amongst a minority of wealthy frequent flyer types who seem to get away with much more because of the business they bring. Any such behaviour on the railways I would hope be immediately dealt with,no matter how much business you brought to a TOC.

 

[DarloRich]

Yes, far worse. RailUK has some strange people but generally they are benign or misunderstood. Any sneering here is generally confined entirely to the hobby (I’ve copped more trains than you, etc).

Flyertalk has an active minority population of turbocharged supercilious gits, often monied and in powerful or influential lines of work, who think they’re God’s gift to the world. I figured out a year ago or more that air travel makes people go funny in the head, and I’ve rarely posted there since. I loathe the place.

Just had a look. very odd!

 

[STKKK46]

Why is that kind of observation and discussion considered negative?

It's not negative to make an observation, however, as a straight male that is not in the slightest bit camp, some of the comments on here I can tell are very borderline.

Your example brings up Black Caribbean bus drivers. If they are a black Caribbean bus driver and you state that, then that is a fact. If you start discussing the issues you have with this fact, that's where a line is being edged ever nearer towards.

This world is far to PC at the best of times, so a discussion like this can be welcomed, however there is no need to have any malice towards anyone for their colour, religion, sexuality or even their orientation. For the purpose of this thread... who cares if someone is camp, really?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Your example brings up Black Caribbean bus drivers. If they are a black Caribbean bus driver and you state that, then that is a fact. If you start discussing the issues you have with this fact, that's where a line is being edged ever nearer towards.

For the record I don’t have any issues with it (why would I?), though one job having an unusual demographic makeup is an interesting curiosity as I said (and explained why).

 

[STKKK46]

For the record I don’t have any issues with it (why would I?), though one job having an unusual demographic makeup is an interesting curiosity as I said (and explained why).

I understand that - I was just using part of what you said as a lead on to reply to the thread as a whole.

It is certainly an intriguing thought that there are certain demographics in certain roles.

 

[Howardh]

Surely this documentary shows passengers what real air stewards should be like?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Would suggest you can't be a very frequent flier if you've only come across 'camp' male cabin crew.

There's a huge amount of selection bias on the sample of cabin crew. You cannot infer anything from such a sample with such a selection bias.

What do you consider frequent? We did five flights in 2017, that was going to be seven actually but the other two were cancelled

 

[headshot119]

What do you consider frequent? We did five flights in 2017, that was going to be seven actually but the other two were cancelled

How many of them where from the same airport, and with the same airline?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

How many of them where from the same airport, and with the same airline?

Three were London Gatwick flights. Two were from London Luton. The cancelled flights were also scheduled to take off from London Gatwick. There were three different airlines.

Btw Luton is horrible. I prefer Heathrow anyday. Gatwick is alright.

 

[AlterEgo]

What do you consider frequent? We did five flights in 2017, that was going to be seven actually but the other two were cancelled

Probably about 50 a year.

I did 100 in a year in 2016 and this figure pales in comparison to some truly frequent flyers who basically live on planes.

 

[fowler9]

Probably about 50 a year.

I did 100 in a year in 2016 and this figure pales in comparison to some truly frequent flyers who basically live on planes.

Blimey I did six last year and 12 on each of the two previous years and thought I was a Jetsetter. Ha ha. Mind you I am compared to the other folk in work. Ha ha.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Probably about 50 a year.

I did 100 in a year in 2016 and this figure pales in comparison to some truly frequent flyers who basically live on planes.

Dear god, in that case no we are not frequent fliers! We only lined up seven trips involving planes for 2017 as I said, but then again as GCSE students we don’t have very much time to fly...

Do you actually base your trips on the destination or the flight? Whenever we go to the Caribbean or Indian Ocean it’s usually for the destination, my family enjoy flights (especially overnight ones with the seat turning into bed configuration) but we don’t fly purely for the flight normally.

 

[AlterEgo]

I should hope you don’t fly for the flight at your age. Leave that to the weird cranks who run YouTube channels and stuff.

Even so, I’m readily aware that whenever I board any given flight there will be some poor sod or sods who are doing this a lot more often than me, often for work, and it’s a chore for them.

 

[fowler9]

Yeah. All my flights have been for the destination not just the flight. I do enjoy flying but I have a few mates who fly a lot for work and it sounds like a massive never ending nightmare. They have been to some amazing places and get to see naff all of them. One mate is a vocalist in a death metal band that plays around the world, I'll ask him what "Whatever" city was like and he saw none of it. Saw the airport, saw the venue and very little else. And that is a job where he can have a bevvy unlike other mates who have more office based roles.

 

[Busaholic]

Though why can we not make observations without it being seen as racist? For example, one might observe that there is a relatively large number of black Caribbean bus drivers in London. And this is true; a number of years ago TfL offered incentives in some countries for people to come to the UK and become bus drivers, which many did, and many of them liked it and were good at it so continue to do so. Why is that kind of observation and discussion considered negative?

Someone who had a problem with a member of cabin crew being gay or a bus driver being black is a racist or homophobe. That is unacceptable. But not a simple observation.

Although there were a relatively large number of black Caribbean bus drivers and conductors for many years, I don't think this is the case now, in my experience. I admit to not travelling all over London these days, and there may be areas where it is still true. Twenty years ago inner London garages like Brixton, Westbourne Park or Clapton/Ash Grove would fit this stereotype, and longer ago than that then Harrow Weald (for instance) surprised me by usually having an all-black crew on the 140. On the other hand, North Street Romford or Bexleyheath rarely saw this ethnic group. Eastern European or Asian drivers are far more prevalent now, of course.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Although there were a relatively large number of black Caribbean bus drivers and conductors for many years, I don't think this is the case now, in my experience. I admit to not travelling all over London these days, and there may be areas where it is still true. Twenty years ago inner London garages like Brixton, Westbourne Park or Clapton/Ash Grove would fit this stereotype, and longer ago than that then Harrow Weald (for instance) surprised me by usually having an all-black crew on the 140. On the other hand, North Street Romford or Bexleyheath rarely saw this ethnic group. Eastern European or Asian drivers are far more prevalent now, of course.

Don’t get me started on Caribbean buses - I was saying my prayers on the ones in Barbados!

Going back on topic - I’ve been called “babe” by a number of air stewards both male and female, but nothing more than that from the males regarding camp actually towards, although one time on Virgin I noticed they are quite Camp sounding mid flight, then I overheard them after landing in St Lucia chatting among themselves, and the camp ones were speaking perfectly normally! I hope they don’t put it on, I don’t find it humourous, nor interesting. It’s downright irritating to hear “Dom Perignon, babes?” from them in a completely over exaggerated and perhaps fake Essex-y accent, and believe me they’re always parroting on about that although I have no clue what that is. I’m guessing alcohol as I never get offered it!

Well - if the male cabin crew want to put on fake camp voices let them as long as they don’t bother me. The female cabin crew on the other hand, well - they can come near me as much as they want to though

 

[fowler9]

The female cabin crew on the other hand, well - they can come near me as much as they want to though

I'll warn my sister to stay away from you.

 

[atillathehunn]

What do you consider frequent? We did five flights in 2017, that was going to be seven actually but the other two were cancelled

I would also say anywhere around 50+ per year.

My record recently was 6 in 4 days.

The only flight I would consider for the flight and not the destination is Barra, or maybe those skybuses that hop round the islands that you can buy a rover ticket on. Anything commercial isn't worth it...

 

[cactustwirly]

Dear god, in that case no we are not frequent fliers! We only lined up seven trips involving planes for 2017 as I said, but then again as GCSE students we don’t have very much time to fly...

Do you actually base your trips on the destination or the flight? Whenever we go to the Caribbean or Indian Ocean it’s usually for the destination, my family enjoy flights (especially overnight ones with the seat turning into bed configuration) but we don’t fly purely for the flight normally.

Your parents must be rich! Being able to afford business class.
I hate flying, especially overnight when you can't get to sleep!
Although I much prefer Europe to America, I don't mind short haul so much.
I can't think of anywhere worse than the Indian ocean/Carribbean for a holiday.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Your parents must be rich! Being able to afford business class.
I hate flying, especially overnight when you can't get to sleep!
Although I much prefer Europe to America, I don't mind short haul so much.
I can't think of anywhere worse than the Indian ocean/Carribbean for a holiday.

Well the flight is pretty long, so if the staff aren’t great then its a pain.

 

[DarloRich]

Probably about 50 a year.

I did 100 in a year in 2016 and this figure pales in comparison to some truly frequent flyers who basically live on planes.

Christ on a bike. I like flying ( not the take off and landing quite so much) but these people must be pushing the odds of something bad happening.

Dear god, in that case no we are not frequent fliers! We only lined up seven trips involving planes for 2017 as I said, but then again as GCSE students we don’t have very much time to fly...

Do you actually base your trips on the destination or the flight? Whenever we go to the Caribbean or Indian Ocean it’s usually for the destination, my family enjoy flights (especially overnight ones with the seat turning into bed configuration) but we don’t fly purely for the flight normally.

Me and my chums are always flying to the Caribbean or the Indian Ocean. For the majority of us that would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. How the other half live.

Don’t get me started on Caribbean buses - I was saying my prayers on the ones in Barbados!

Going back on topic - I’ve been called “babe” by a number of air stewards both male and female, but nothing more than that from the males regarding camp actually towards, although one time on Virgin I noticed they are quite Camp sounding mid flight, then I overheard them after landing in St Lucia chatting among themselves, and the camp ones were speaking perfectly normally! I hope they don’t put it on, I don’t find it humourous, nor interesting. It’s downright irritating to hear “Dom Perignon, babes?” from them in a completely over exaggerated and perhaps fake Essex-y accent, and believe me they’re always parroting on about that although I have no clue what that is. I’m guessing alcohol as I never get offered it!

Well - if the male cabin crew want to put on fake camp voices let them as long as they don’t bother me. The female cabin crew on the other hand, well - they can come near me as much as they want to though

first world problems right there. You must be loaded to be able to afford all of these lovely trips. When I was a kid we went in the caravan somewhere like Skegness. That was when we could afford a holiday. I despair at some people today. In other news food bank use climbs through the roof day after day.......................................

That seems a bit rsey actually - you are obviously in a fantastically privileged position that many of us will never approach. No matter how hard I work I wont ever earn ( or allow myself) to spend enough to travel first class in a plane. Just try and recognise that and take some time to think about that. Also try and take the most you can from these experiences. You have access to some fantastic locations. Don't waste that - try and take some life enriching and affirming benefit from the opportunity.

Just don't take it for granted

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

first world problems right there. You must be loaded to be able to afford all of these lovely trips. When I was a kid we went in the caravan somewhere like Skegness. That was when we could afford a holiday. I despair at some people today. In other news food bank use climbs through the roof day after day.......................................

But you just said yourself that you and “your chums” always go there!

 

[Bromley boy]

When I was a kid we went in the caravan somewhere like Skegness.

Looking on the bright side, I bet you didn't have any issues with camp cabin crew enroute to Skeggy .

 

[DarloRich]

Looking on the bright side, I bet you didn't have any issues with camp cabin crew, enroute to Skeggy .

to have the chance to experience such a thing............................

( i know we didn't have the kind of access to flights and foreign destinations that people have today. I still find it strange i can fly to almost anywhere in Europe for next to nothing and with such ease. That was a serious expense when I was a kid)

 

[AlterEgo]

Christ on a bike. I like flying ( not the take off and landing quite so much) but these people must be pushing the odds of something bad happening.

The bad things that happen to them are not getting their first choice of meal, or being unable to guest their whole family into the lounge, if you look at Flyertalk. (As it happens the guys who want to guest in the whole family are travelling in economy for the annual holiday - trying to guest in using frequent flyer status they earned, Yep you guessed it, by flying solo business class the rest of the year!)

first world problems right there. You must be loaded to be able to afford all of these lovely trips. When I was a kid we went in the caravan somewhere like Skegness. That was when we could afford a holiday. I despair at some people today. In other news food bank use climbs through the roof day after day.......................................

Well, quite. My family holidays were to places like the Isle of Wight and Ireland until I was a late teenager.

There’s someone who follows me on Snapchat who is 14 and from the Hamptons in New York. He’s just posted on YouTube his video of flying in a private jet with his family to Montego Bay for Christmas. The kid’s brother also has a YouTube account too, and has been recording (large) aircraft landing at a local international airport using a drone, which is both illegal and monumentally stupid. The distance between drone and aircraft are around 100-200 feet I reckon.

 

[AlterEgo]

Looking on the bright side, I bet you didn't have any issues with camp cabin crew enroute to Skeggy .

Yes but the Redcoats at Butlin’s there were a different prospect!

 

[Bromley boy]

( i know we didn't have the kind of access to flights and foreign destinations that people have today. I still find it strange i can fly to almost anywhere in Europe for next to nothing and with such ease. That was a serious expense when I was a kid)

Very true. Flying around Europe these days is a lot more like flying around the States has been for a lot longer - more like a bus or coach service. That can only be a good thing (although I’m not sure lads trips to Eastern Europe and boozy weekends to Magaluf necessarily deliver much in the way of cultural enrichment! Or maybe that’s just us brits...)

Even long haul is a lot cheaper than I can remember when I was growing up, and I’m not that old! Of course flying long haul with a family in tow remains well beyond the reach of many.

 

[Ianno87]

Very true. Flying around Europe these days is a lot more like flying around the States has been for a lot longer - more like a bus or coach service. That can only be a good thing (although I’m not sure lads trips to Eastern Europe and boozy weekends to Magaluf necessarily deliver much in the way of cultural enrichment! Or maybe that’s just us brits...)

Even long haul is a lot cheaper than I can remember when I was growing up, and I’m not that old! Of course flying long haul with a family in tow remains well beyond the reach of many.

Long haul holidays can be cheaper than you think, especially going to South East Asia. Yes you might spend more on the flight (although the Middle Eastern carriers can be good value), but when you're there you spend much, much less on food, hotels, entertainment etc. On honeymoon in Malaysia, seldom spent more than £2 equivalent on dinner...

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Even better if you get pick an all inclusive resort! The drinks are endless.