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A good friend of mine who works as a flight attendant
for a prestigious airline was in town recently. Flying for almost
two years now, she had a luggage full of interesting stories to
tell.
She shared about the wonderful
perks she is enjoying, given that she’s only 22 years old. Of
course, she had her share of not-so-pleasant experiences with some
passengers which is not unusual since I myself have witnessed rude
behavior of some passengers onboard some of the flights I’ve taken
and all I could do was to sympathize with the hardworking and
patient flight attendants.
My friend suggested that I come
up with something on proper airline etiquette which I thought was a
brilliant idea. Summer is here and surely a lot of people have
already mapped out their travel plans.
Here are some wise and practical
tips for all.
• Always be courteous to other
people. If you want to take off your shoes and shoes during the
flight, make sure to rest them within your personal space. Some
people still think it is OK to rest them on the armrest.
• If you have children with you
onboard, please know how to control them. Some children are so
well-behaved and will listen to the instructions of their parents,
but there are those who will really test your patience. I, for one,
cannot stand kids who constantly kick the back of my seat, just when
I am about to doze off to dreamland. If I could only give them my
“makuha ka sa tingin” look.
My son, Emilio likes take his
favorite toys with him so I bring a few of these to assure me that
he will have a fun and comfortable time during the flight.
• Do you have special dietary
needs? Are you a vegetarian? Perhaps you can arrange for this when
you purchase your ticket or before you check in at the gate. The
earlier you ask, the better chance the airline people will
accommodate your request.
• Remember to flush everytime
you use the lavatory. Don’t make it a horrible sight for the next
passenger. Wipe up the water splashed on the counter and mirror
after washing your hands. Flight attendants are not your maids or
janitors.
• When we travel in economy
class, our space is usually cramped and it’s not always
comfortable. Please don’t take over someone else’s space. You
don’t have to fight over the middle armrest. Just share them.
• The bell signal is there to
call on the attendants. Avoid whistling, snapping your fingers or
waving annoyingly to call their attention. Also, use the bell call
sparingly. The flight attendants are not your nannies or personal
butlers who are at your beck and call. They are safety professionals
who are there to assist you and ensure that you have a safe and
comfortable flight.
• Be polite and pleasant to
people.
• If you encounter rude people,
practice patience. If they continue to be annoying and rude, report
them quietly to any airline official.
I read in a book that the best
way to practice “Good Manners” is to be patient with those who
don’t have it. I totally agree! Always mind your manners and
sometimes, it helps to mind your own business.
For office, school and individual workshops, please e-mail paching_betita@yahoo.com
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