Flight attendants may seem to have a glamorous job, travelling the world, but the reality is far from perfect. From unruly passengers to health issues, cabin crew members face numerous challenges that can make them want to quit.
Jay Roberts, a former senior cabin crew member, polled flight attendants on his Fly Guy's Cabin Crew Lounge network about their top peeves. Common complaints included passengers taking out frustrations on crew, delays that go unpaid, and the physical toll of the job.
Roberts noted that flight attendants are often not paid during boarding, only when the doors close. 'Like passengers, crew hate delays, but unlike passengers who are there on their own will, your crew is waiting around at work and not getting paid for it,' he said.
The job is demanding on the body, with the Occupational Information Network database ranking it as the eighth unhealthiest occupation. Exposure to contaminants, disease, and infections is common, and many crew members report memory loss due to long hours, air pressure, and jetlag.
Isolation is another issue, as extroverted flight attendants can struggle with loneliness in hotel rooms far from home. Roberts recommended buying crew a coffee gift card to help with their caffeine addiction.
