FLIGHT attendants have revealed the common passenger behaviour that really drives them mad – it’s not good news for those who like to press buttons.
The call button above your seat can be a great way for flyers to get some help when needed, meaning the passenger doesn’t need to leave their seat.
But according to flight attendants there are times when it isn’t appropriate to use it and they consider it a big, flight faux pas to use it during those occasions.
Definitely do not press the call button whenever the seat-belt sign is on.
Flight attendants have to remain seated during the critical parts of any flight, such as take-off, landing or periods of turbulence, for both the safety of themselves and paying travellers.
Joyce Van Ocken, a flight attendant and Instagram influencer told Afar: “During this time, please only use the call button for real emergencies – not to ask for a pillow or a glass of Coke.”
Passengers should also take into consideration the culture of both the airline and the destination before reaching for the call button.
Jay Robert, an experienced cabin crew member who has worked for a number of airlines in the US, Asia, the Middle East and Europe and who runs one of the largest airline networks on social media called A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge said he always bases his use of the call bell on the specific airline’s culture.
Robert grew up on US airlines, thanks to is flight attendant mum who worked for American Airlines, and she taught him the button was only to be pressed in an emergency.
So years later when he was working for Emirates, he was surprised by the number of call bells the crew got each flight.
He said: “I recall flights to India, a population infamous for their obsession with call bells, having [loads] of call requests; I’m talking like 75 before even taking off.”
Jay though said the culture was very different with North American airlines.
He added: “I call these airlines ‘self-service carriers’.
“The crew often expects you to come to them in the galley if you need something.”
Jay also highlighted that low-cost carriers have another culture too.
Here, pressing the button for any reason other than medical needs usually means the passenger wants to buy something.
He added that those interactions help flight attendants earn some commission, so the call bell and order are definitely appreciated.
Travellers should always push the call bell when there is a genuine emergency, either with themselves or a fellow passenger, or even the airplane itself.
Robert said: “We suspect something isn’t right when we hear the call bell repeatedly.
“So, if it’s a real emergency, press the bell and keep pushing it until help arrives.”
Liam Walker, a cabin crew manager with Air New Zealand says it’s always fine to press the bell after take-off or landing.
He said: “It’s not only ‘in case of an emergency’.
“Whether you need help navigating your in-flight entertainment, need help reclining your seat, or you simply just want more snacks, we’re more than happy to help.”
Jay also said that passengers in the window seats invariably get a free pass when using the button.
He said: “Even on self-service airlines, flight attendants understand that window seat passengers often find themselves barricaded by sleeping bodies, and the call bell is their only way to request resources.”
Passengers are also warned to avoid using the call button during night flights as this can disturb other travellers trying to get some rest.
Joyce said: “You’re welcome in the galley unless the fasten seat-belt sign is on.
“It’s good to stretch your legs from time to time. I personally like it when passengers pay us a visit in the galley, especially during long night flights.”
She added that if any passenger needed to get rid of any rubbish, they could always bring it to the galley or simply wait for the waste trolley to go by.
Anyone flying with young children are also reminded the call button is not a toy so don’t let your kids play with it.
Jay said: “The button is a magnet for little fingers.
“In my career, I’ve wasted thousands of steps only to find a toddler holding the remote while gazing at the little light overhead.”
Although what really annoys Jay is when a passenger pushes the call button during service – and it’s not an emergency.
He said: “Nothing burns my polyester uniform britches more than a passenger pressing the bell for a service request when they can see me a few rows ahead of them in the cabin, attending to everyone.
“There is usually one crew member for every 50 passengers, and 80 percent of them are hungry and thirsty. Be patient—or pay for an upgrade.”
