I’d be lying if I said those experiences didn’t shape me and form my tolerance level for tomfoolery and such.
As I gained experience, I got a much better feel for where that fine line was between “blowing off steam” and personally abusive. I wasn’t a big fan of the latter but always tried to handle it in a lighthearted manner. I saw no reason to throw gas on the fire and besides, it was way more fun to just kind of mess with folks.
I was the Flight Attendant in Charge and my flight was headed to Europe from Atlanta. Probably a 10 or 11 hour flight. I loved greeting everyone and setting a good tone so we would have a good half a day together. How you greet someone can make such a difference it cannot be underestimated. I was well aware that folks had been through a highly stressful few hours dealing with security and immigration and checking in and luggage. My message at the door was: Now it is time to relax and let us care for you.
On this day, I was aware from comments that the TSA lines were backed up and stress levels were high. Finally I encountered a gentleman who just couldn’t calm down. He was mad. He was mad at the parking, the ticket agent, the TSA, the gate agent and the list went on. I listened, admitted that I understood and then suggested that we wanted to make the next 10 hours enjoyable. How could we help? He told me I could go to Hell.
I quietly informed him, with a pleasant smile on my face, that this was not the flight to Hell, that flight was a few gates down. I offered to get someone to help him find it. I went to the phone in the jetway and made a quick call. In seconds, security was there and escorted him away. I’m not sure where he went that day, but he did not go to Rome, nor did he spend the next 10 hours making the people around him or me miserable.
I wonder if he’s nasty to his dentist when he or she has a drill?
Whitefish Dog and Home 