I am a flight attendant and I’m going to post some secrets just because

I’ve been flying for 15 years and am based in the US with a major airline. I love my job and my airline and I’m just making this post for fun so please don’t get mad at me for it.<br><br> 1. If the flight is cancelled and the flight crew has already gotten there, they will try to convince you that the flight is cancelled because the flight crew couldn’t get there. This is to save time and money by not paying the crew to sit at the airport. The crew could have been there for hours waiting. If you get cancelled and the crew is there, they will try to make you believe the weather is so bad they can’t fly. We hear the term “weather delay” about 5 time a day and it’s absolute bullshit. Sometimes the weather is bad but usually it’s just the airline trying to cut corners.<br><br> 2. If you get bumped just take the first voucher they offer. Don’t try to negotiate for more (it’s not going to happen). Some airlines have a policy to give you the least amount first so they don’t give away too much at first. <br><br> 3. If you get to your gate late and the door is still closed it doesn’t mean you can still board the flight. The door closes 15 minutes before departure and the crew will still start to board passengers. If the door is closed this means the captain has most likely already started the auxiliary power unit (small engine that powers certain systems in the plane like lights) so the jetway won’t reach the door anymore. Usually we will wait for the late passengers but sometimes the captain will have already started the engines and taxied off. <br><br> 4. Flight attendants will always greet you as you board. If they don’t it’s not personal. We are busy and it’s just human error. <br><br> 5. If you have a baby always bring formula with you. The airports don’t always have formula (depending on where you are) and you don’t want your baby to scream the entire time on the plane.<br><br> 6. Flight attendants aren’t allowed to give a sick passenger medicine. This is to prevent a lawsuit. We usually are required to landing the plane immediately if someone is sick. <br><br> 7. The reason we search for passengers before landing isn’t a joke. We do have passengers who get off the plane and realize they aren’t where they thought they were or somehow got off at the wrong airport. <br><br> 8. If we land at a gate and then pull forward, it’s because the ground crew didn’t have the jetway out yet so we have to wait for them to get it to the plane. It has nothing to do with the flight crew. I always hear this complaint about how the flight crew is inefficient. We have no control over that. <br><br> 9. If you ask for hot water, you’ll get it. But you’ll also get a dirty look from the person giving it to you. <br><br> 10. Flight attendants gossips a lot about passengers as expected. We usually gossip about who’s cute and who’s being an ass.<br><br> 11. Flight attendants are trained for medical emergencies. We don’t just give oxygen and call it a day. We do CPR, use the AED, etc. If we call for an ambulance it’s because we need an IV or more than what we can provide. <br><br> 12. Flight attendants are required to count every single passenger before takeoff, landing, and before leaving the plane. <br><br> 13. Turbulence is not as scary as you think. It will not cause the plane to crash. It will cause falling objects in the cabin to break so you might get a free snack or drink. <br><br> 14. We have flight attendants who don’t show up to work or call in sick as well. So next time your flight is delayed blame the FA for once. <br><br> 15. Flight attendants will always check the bathrooms to make sure they’re clean and there isn’t anything wrong with them. If you use the bathroom right after boarding, you’ll most likely catch us in there.<br><br> 16. When I’m working a night flight and I’m walking down the aisle and a passenger is sleeping, I’ll always try to wake them up a little and make them sit up straight so they don’t slide over onto the person next to them. <br><br> 17. Don’t get mad at us when the flight is delayed. We want to go home too. We can’t control the weather or the mechanics. We can’t tell you why the flight is delayed. We get the same message you do and usually not until you get it. <br><br>EDIT: wow this blew up! Thank you so much for the awards and I apologize if this wasn’t what you expected. Let me know if you have questions and I’ll do my best to answer them.