With the coming of the electronic age, many aspects of my career changed. One of the "fun" changes had to do with cell phones and computers!
The rule was- and I'm sure still is- cell phones must be put into the "airplane" mode and turned off for take-off and landing! Computers needed to be turned off for the same. There seemed to always be a few that ignored the rule and continued to talk after that announcement was made.
On one particular flight I had a gentleman continue to talk on his phone. As I did my seatbelt check I asked him to turn it off. He nodded his head and continued to talk. I assumed he was saying goodbye. But after walking the length of the aircraft and now heading forward to take my seat- there he was, chatting away.
I stopped. I told him he had a choice. Turn off the phone and hand it to me. (He would be able to get it back when he deplaned.) OR- we'll go back to the gate and he'd be taken off. His choice!
He said "goodbye", turned off his phone, and handed it to me. I pocketed it for the flight. When he deplaned he said "Mom? Can I come out of time out now?" Lol!
Another passenger I remember was chatting away. Same situation, I asked him to turn it off. He gave me the finger!! A Flight Attendant I was working with saw this- gave me a wink, and went to talk to him. I loved watching the gals who had Southern accents! They seemed to have a way to say anything with a "Bless Your Heart"! After she spoke softly to him for a few minutes he immediately complied!
I asked what she said. She said she told him it was common knowledge among the Flight Attendants - men who acted like him were ones that were lacking in male hormones, and had to try to make up for their lack in other ways! (Oh my!) After he closed his phone he pretended to sleep during the entire flight! Ha!
Another passenger got so angry when I asked him to turn off his phone he threw it on the floor and stomped on it! It broke in about 4 pieces!! I stood there with my mouth hanging open! Really?!? Now that was quite a fit!! I started to laugh! I couldn't believe it! All I could think of to say was "I guess you showed me!" Ha!
And let's not forget the passengers who wanted to debate what a stupid law this was! I had to squash that quickly! My response was "I don't make the rule- I'm only telling you what needs to be done!" I was surprised at how angry some folks got about that little rule!
It was a bit more difficult when little ones wouldn't put their seatbelts on. But teens and their cell phones were a challenge, especially when their folks ignored the situation. On one flight a young girl was texting franticly after we started taxing. After a few moments she looked at me with tears in her eyes. "Please! Let me just tell my boyfriend I love him!!" Ah! Young love!
There were business men who had their lap tops open when we were getting ready to land. After the announcement and checking everyone I saw a gentleman place his computer under the seat in front of him, but stayed bent over, typing away! Since we were almost at touch down I took my seat. What happened next was Karma!
It was an unusually hard landing! I heard a yell from the bent over man with the computer. After the landing announcement I went to check on him- he was still bent over! It seems that with the hard landing his hand accidentally deleted all his hard work! Plus his back was in spasms! Since he was in a isle seat, it was a trick to get him out of his seat so the other passengers in his row could deplane! He left the aircraft in a bent over position! Ouch!
There were times in every Stewardess/ Flight Attendant's career when they ran into folks who wanted to bend or ignore the rules. Yep- sometimes we had to be "Mom"!
Of course, it was all part of the job. It's more fun to look back on some of those "Mothering" moments then when they were actually happening.
Until next time, Dear Readers!
Life Is Indeed An Adventure! And Passengers Who Misbehaved Made It An Opportunity To Practice Our Parenting Skills!
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