Confessions of an Air Stewardess

“On international flights, it is common for people to make out under blankets. We must tell them to stop as it might offend someone.”

When I say that I work as cabin crew or an air hostess, as many people call us, they either think I’m a dumb blonde or that I lead a very glamorous life. 

Our primary responsibility is passenger safety and not answering to passengers. A plane is most likely to crash during take off and landing, hence we are extensively trained and in case of an emergency landing we can evacuate the plane in just 90 seconds. If people understood this aspect of safety, they would probably comply more and switch off their cellphones. If the captain is unable to hear even one word in the cockpit, an accident can occur.

Indians are uncultured passengers. They are very demanding and ask for unnecessary things. For example, even if old people don’t need oxygen, they will ask for it because it’s available. Many guests don’t lock the lavatory when they go in. Every cabin crew member has walked in on people in the lavatory. Once I opened the door on a passenger squatting on the English toilet and I had to yell, “Sir, neeche ao (step down)!”

Passengers get most angry when their meal preference is not met. On international flights, it is common for people to make out under blankets. We tell them to stop as it might offend someone. 

In my airline, we have weight checks every two months. If we gain half a kilo, we are overweight and 2 kg is reason enough to be grounded. In recessionary times even small things can get you terminated. A colleague was sacked for stealing a carton of milk and cookies.

One can’t drink alcohol 12 hours before flying. There are random breath analyser tests to keep us in check. Some people drink milk or eat garlic to fool the test.

No one is aware of the great health risks we face in our profession. The air in planes is recycled and drier than in a desert. Females tend to develop a sagging uterus or water boils in their ovaries. The body shrivels from inside. Not to mention the stress of working six days a week with no weekends free. The salary isn’t enough either. But the shopping and cuisine in different destinations is fun.

(This air stewardess has been in the profession for almost three years)

As told to Shubhangi Swarup.

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