6. “So, you’re just a waitress in the sky?”
This is perhaps the most insulting thing you can say to a flight attendant. It willfully ignores the months of rigorous training they endure to earn their wings. While serving drinks and snacks is a visible part of their job, it is a tiny fraction of their actual responsibilities.
Every flight attendant is a certified first responder. They are trained in CPR, using an automated external defibrillator (AED), and managing in-flight medical emergencies ranging from allergic reactions to heart attacks and strokes. They are trained firefighters, equipped to extinguish a blaze in the cabin or galley. They are trained in self-defense and security protocols to handle unruly passengers or potential threats. They are evacuation specialists who must be able to get every passenger off a plane in 90 seconds or less, in the dark, with smoke filling the cabin.
Their training is intense and recurrent. They must pass exams and drills regularly to maintain their qualifications. To dismiss all of that expertise by comparing them to a server is a profound insult to their profession. The U.S. government’s own standards for air travel, outlined by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), are built around the premise that the cabin crew are safety professionals.
If you’re genuinely curious about their job, ask a respectful question instead. Something like, “What’s the most challenging part of your training?” or “Besides the travel, what do you enjoy most about your work?” shows genuine interest and respect for their skills and experience.
