It seems like every time I read the news, there’s another headline about a flight attendant kicking an innocent kid and/or family off of an airplane.  It really makes me angry on behalf of the families.  I think today’s flight attendants are missing the point of their job—it is to provide service to customers who have paid a high price for that service.  If a customer is drunk and/or menacing, please have that person escorted off of the flight!  If a kid is crying and needs warm milk or an Aspie child needs a snack to provide comfort and a bit of joy, provide some heated milk or a snack!  It’s your JOB!  That’s part of the service you are on board to provide.

If you are unhappy with your life choices and feel powerless, go find another job.  Don’t go on a power trip by berating an already embarrassed parent of a crying toddler.  Stop bullying children who can’t help their actions.  You are making the situation worse and making yourself look like the small person you are.

It reminds me of the time my (older) daughter and I were on a Greyhound bus from Virginia to Georgia to visit a friend.  It was about nine at night, and she was sitting on my lap giggling.  She was tired and trying to stay awake.  Others on the bus were quiet and napping or thinking profound thoughts.  I tried to shush her, but it made her laugh anyway.

The bus driver gave us a couple of stink eyes before he motioned me forward to say, “Would you keep your kid quiet?  People are trying to sleep.”  I didn’t miss a beat and replied, “I have a great idea!  Why don’t you keep her quiet, and I’ll drive the bus!”  I marched back to my seat, and we made it to our destination with no further issues.

Suffice it to say that I believe most flight attendants love their job and are good at it.  It’s the bad ones getting the press coverage that makes them all look bad.  That’s a real shame.