Talk
Bring Back the Stewardesses
The biggest airline in the world, Atlanta’s own Delta Airlines, is in serious trouble: a $125 million hit this quarter, reduction of system capacity by ten per cent this year, and the loss of 8,000 jobs in the past 12 months. But I know how to fix all this and, at the same time, advance western civilization: bring back the stewardesses and impose on them an upper age limit of 30.
One of the most bizarre marketing ploys in history was when the airlines dropped “stewardess” and picked up “flight attendant.” It seems that “stewardess” was demeaning and that “flight attendant” more professional. The job did not change, only the attitude. Think nose dive. And by the way, how do you attend a flight?
Stewardesses were attractive women in their twenties. Many were from small towns and believed that flying was the greatest job imaginable. They could sashay up an aisle in their high heels and tight skirts and the men onboard wouldn’t have noticed if the pilot performed three loops, two snap rolls, and a hammerhead stall. Stewardesses brought sparkle and joie de vivre to their work. They laughed and joked with passengers and did not take themselves too seriously. The job made it all worthwhile and they usually were married and gone before they were 30.
Stewardesses were trained in emergency procedures but had enough sense to know they could fly for years and never use the training; they were airborne waitresses and their job was to be bright and perky and to take the passengers’ minds off flying. That was okay. They loved their work.
They loved their work.
Then they became flight attendants. The twenty-somethings became waspish grandmothers more concerned with where they are going to shop when the plane lands rather than with service to passengers. They go into the galley and read newspapers and chit-chat with each other. And the real reason there are fewer flight attendants than there were stewardesses is not because airlines are downsizing crews, but because today’s flight attendants usually are big ole girls and a jet aircraft can carry only so much weight.
In recent years my work has necessitated extensive air travel and I have learned a little about flight attendants. First, I don’t know about all airlines, but on Thai Airways, British Airways and Lufthansa, I saw no vinegary flight attendants, I saw stewardesses.
Second, if you fly to a relatively exotic location, say Hawaii or Bangkok, you can be assured that the most senior flight attendants (read, the oldest, the most burned out, the most burned out) will be aboard. Nine hours-plus in the air does not improve their dispositions.
Three, if you are in an aisle seat, the closer you sit to the front of the aircraft, the greater the danger of being maimed by a flight attendant. These dreadnoughts come up the aisle like a battleship pushing through the Panama Canal. By the time they reach the front of the cabin they have worked up a full head of steam, and in their wake, shoulders, elbows, arms, and knees are knocked aside like rowboats.
A moment before impact there is a half-second warning that sounds like an intermittent chain saw. This is the rasping sound of oversized thighs packed into too-small pantyhose. If you don’t move quickly, a hip the size of Rhode Island will do the moving for you.
Today’s flight attendants have forgotten how to smile. But wait! Maybe this is because they trowel on so much makeup that they are unable to smile.
They complain about the rudeness of passengers yet they think serving food or drink is beneath them, something to do in a hurried fashion so they can rush back to the galley and talk about the merits of Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig. The dark mood of the flight attendants, like their Wal-Mart perfume, settles over passenger cabins like a miasma of gloom. It is little wonder that passengers are so ill-tempered. Being cooped up inside a confined space with these harridans would curdle milk.
Stewardesses were sexy. Very few flight attendants have enough sex appeal to budge a hermit off a rock ledge.
Flight attendants may work themselves into a lather over such an assessment. They want you to believe they are highly trained personnel ever alert for nuclear weapons or laser beams from outer space; that their medical skills enable them to cope with everything from tennis elbow to a prolapsed uterus; maybe even brain surgery.
Right. In the meantime, could you please bring me a drink without spilling it?
Bringing back the stewardesses will do nothing about crowded flights, diminished service, late arrivals, and heightened security. But it will make all those more palatable to business travelers, many of whom are men, and who are the largest single revenue source for the airlines.
Let it not come as a surprise that for middle-aged businessmen, being waited on by a young woman is preferable to being waited on by the wicked witch of the west. Thus, contrary to what you have been thinking, my suggestions about stewardesses are not sexist drivel. I’m talking good business practices.
Air travel will never again be the great adventure it once was. But stewardesses can make us feel better about it. Young, blonde, smiling stewardesses will make air travel more endurable.
Hey, Delta, are you listening? Bring back the stewardesses.
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I guess I thought The Dew was a literary journal on the web and not a blog. I am not trying to undermine free speech, which I equally endorse. However, the question is about what is published by “Like the Dew,” which I now understand follows no publishing criteria that would eliminate something like this. All publications (not blogs) have standards that they maintain which represent what they stand for, whether it’s The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal or Penthouse. I would never say that Penthouse should be shut down, but I would not expect to see the content from Penthouse in The New York Times, and I would be shocked and disappointed to see it there. To say I’m against free speech because I’m saddend that something like this would be in “The Dew” is a total misunderstanding. I support free speech absolutely, but I choose what I want to read based on the expected content standards that I respect. I can’t respect the choice to publish this piece, but you are certainly free to do so.
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As my mama used to say, “if I didn’t love you so much, I wouldn’t care how you acted.” That’s the way I feel about “The Dew.” I love it too much to remain silent, so I have voiced my opinion “shrilly” all day.
Good night sweet Billy— and have another cup of coffee! -
While I find this article insulting to my career. There is some truth to the matter. United and American just got voted with having the rudest Flight Attendants. It mainly pertained to the international travel experience. I do not fly international but I do know that the majority of the F/A’S who do are not there for the customer .. They are there to socialize amongst themselves , read novels and chat about what they will do when they get to the layover … American and United both need to offer a package to these F/A’s to make room for the guys and gals who love their job and career. I feel bad for the customer who has spent and saved money for a dream vacation and their air travel experience was with a bunch of “old timers” . Enough said ….
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Sir its men like you that makes flight attendants like me (22years by the way) hate old men.
If you are rude then yes the flight attendants will talk and make your flight hell. I will tell you that your first and sometimes even second choice of meal is not available because you deserve my hatred. I am slim but i will make it my goal to knock your elbows and stand on your foot and bang your seat with the cart at every opportunity. I have learned valuable lessons from woman flight attendants over the age of 30, i trust them, look up to them and ask them for advice, especially when i have a rude old man seated in business class like he owns me. I really hope you get your wish of 20 something blond skinny flight attendants on your next flight and heaven forbid you have a heart attack while they try to remember what to do. -
This article brings to mind an incident on a flight I was working about ten years ago. We were flying from DC to Atlanta and the flight was packed, full of tired people who had spent a long day in the nation’s capitol. A gentleman on the second row ordered two Scotch and waters and handed me $20. I remember thinking, “Lucky him. He’s sitting near the front and will have plenty of time to enjoy his drinks.” (I was a Scotch drinker myself.) I even returned his change within 10 minutes. After our on-time arrival, he waited until everyone had deplaned to tell us it was the worst flight he’d ever been on. It’s true: you just can’t please some people.
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Perhaps Mr. Coram would be best served with a life time supply of viagra as well as a red convertible for his “mid/elder” life crisis. Though I agree there is room for service improvement, I don’t think bringing back the “Coffee, Tea or Me” mentality is going to work. I’ve observed the attendants, pardon, “stewardesses” in action and they have a difficult job which I wouldn’t touch.
I’d be more in favor of re-regulating the airline industry as the experience of flying was much nicer before the financial ‘bottom line’ mentality put the kibosh on a nice experience.
And what of the forced retirement at the age of thirty or when the ‘stewardess”, gasp, horrors, decided to marry and have children? This author seems to be of the barefoot and pregnant philosophy. And after this, good luck on getting beef as a main course, lol! -
And we wonder if we take ourselves too seriously? To the “outraged” current/former FA’s who never had the privledge of flying with “dirty, old” Coram, you missed out on feeling better when you got where you were going because he’d have you laughing- and feeling good about yourself -all the way. I used to fly cross country several times a week and my idea of a “hot-looking” FA was one with a smile and a pleasant disposition- don’t you dare tell me that is the norm nowadays. If you sit anywhere near a jump seat today- the majority of the time -you get an earful of how bad their airline, job, kids, significant other are. Most companies prohibit “negative chatter “on the job – why should an airline be any different? I’d love to see Coram replace Andy Rooney but, then again, I miss Bill Buckley. As far as his wife goes…abuse him…make her happy!
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The comment section of this post is getting out of hand. The moderator (if one exists) should close it asap!
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OMG
Everyone lighten up. It’s called humor. Has political correctness gotten to the point we can’t laugh at any group except white males and Christians? Me thinks thou doth protest too much. -
… (this comment has been removed for inappropriateness)
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how the do I now unsubscribe from this thing? (this comment has been edited)
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Mr Coram, one more thought. I see you taught at Emory. I would strongly suggest picking up & reading a copy of Drew Whitelegg’s book “Working the Skies: the Fast-Paced Disorienting World of the Flight Attendant”. Mr Whitelegg is a Director of Special Projects at the Emory Center for Myth & Ritual in American Life at Emory University.
His book is one of the most accurate potrayals of this job in a post 9/11 world. Give it a try–you might learn something new! -
Of course, in the call to bring back the stewardesses, Mr. Coram is longing for the day when employment opportunities for women were limited (secretary, teacher, stewardess) and white men ruled. Who else would have made age (depart at age 32), marriage (resignation if married to a pilot) and then pregnancy (bah-bye) conditions of employment? Oh for the day of the young, small town, white stewardess who would “move her tail for you” and mouth, “fly me,” right, Mr. Coram? Between your rather vicious lines are those ugly dominant attitudes that have restricted so many women in the past and have played a large part in age and race discrimination. Meanwhile, back in Coram Land, the good grey men of Delta did take care of us as long as we wore our gloves, kept our weight down (black beauties or diuretics, anyone?), our girdles on and our hems knee-length, and never ate in public. But then, Mr. Coram, fresh air began to blow across your land as your STSWS (small town southern white stewardesses) merged with New Englanders through Northeast Airlines, westerners through Western Air Lines and the world through Pan American Air Lines. And, finally, we began to escape your middle-class, middle-age, white man hegemony. We are now black, white, brown, yellow, straight, gay, fat, thin, old, young and, yes, worried about our future with Delta (still run by Corams — middle-aged white men — but a lot more enlightened). Would that it were so simple to solve our problems by bringing back the stewardesses. I would bring back a few myself, but, alas, I am here serving Corams after many years, unable to retire because we have no health insurance until we are 65 and bruised and sore because stupid old Corams keep their shoulders in the aisle while we are serving. And speaking of stupid, even my young nieces and nephews know the cardinal rule: NEVER PISS OFF YOUR SERVER. I am afraid that your flights might become a tad more turbulent unless you fly those airlines with your dream stewardesses who kneel before men, clean the toilets and are discarded at age 30.
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“NOW Airlines paging Coram…Robert Coram…please report to the “Tar and Feathering Lounge”… immediately after you have deplaned for your neutering…that is passenger Coram, Robert Coram…”
Funny how it is OK to refer to “middle aged, white men” in a deprecating way. How does that work again?
Here’s a thought gang…attack the article, not the author. For all of you who think Coram is a sexist pig, pick up a copy of Bridge Across My Sorrows and then report back. No, I am not related to, nor do I have any sort of sexual relationship with, Coram. I’m just a MAWM who thinks that not everything I disagree with is heinous.
Try and have a better day. -
Well said, Flight Attendant! (no relation)
Limey Traveler:
It WILL be a better day when all you MAWM thinking males peter out…and you will, you’ve had control for centuries and have messed things up for just as long, it’s time to give it up. It is a little turbulent in this transition, but eventually things will fall into place. You don’t seem to understand just as in the Gay/Marriage issue this is about human rights, not sex, because that is all that is on the minds of MAWM. There are other things in life. Mr. Coram may be the most sensitive writer in the world, but that does not change his sexist ideas about woman.
From a MAWF who has your number. -
FA Mom,
I don’t know you, nor you me – or “my number” which was just a little arrogant, no? Here’s some insight, I have a couple of sisters, whom I love dearly, and who have taught me much. One is gay and one just retired from Delta after 27 years and raising 3 kids on her own – so I’m going to say I have some insight. Oh yeah, they actually speak to me about such issues and neither of them see, as you do, that all MAWM are the part of our species that needs to be eradicated. In addition, as a MAWM businessman who takes satisfaction in leaning toward a female, minority or gay candidate when I have an EQUALLY qualified white, male for a position, I think it is simply about respect for the individual. Neither you nor I are going to atone for all the wrongs of our ancestors – and wiping out me and my kind will not make things right. Dial down past sexism, bigotry and human rights and start with respect . I guarantee our real problems get solved faster- and without your wishing me ill. Maybe one day at a cocktail party I will identify you as you proudly state, for all to hear, “Why some of my best friends are MAWM!” Same mentality and just as disheartening. -
To Limey Traveler, Mr. Coram’s article was about gender, age, attitude and appearance and he has been judged by those standards with the exception of appearance. That to me would have been rude and an attack on the man and not the article (he apparently did not feel the same constraint of courtesy in his comments on my colleagues).
The likelihood of reading a book by him is about nil. Anyone who would write such an ill mannered, negative, vicious piece(I am judging the piece not the author) is not worthy of the time. In fact, bah bye, Mr. Coram
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Wow, you are angry but, just for the record, no, I’m not Robert Coram- nor did I stay in a Holiday Inn last night. I couldn’t stand living in Georgia – I prefer the weather here in South Florida and, now, I actually feel safer here!
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LT, you should feel safer in FL, thats where all the OWMs (old white men) are. (Gods waiting room) Isn’t it convenient that you not only have a flight attendant sister, but a gay sister as well?? Give me a break! You talk about respect? Do you think the Mr. Coram had respect for anyone when he wrote that article? If you do, you just don’t get it buddy. It’s so true, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.” Smile, God loves ya!
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You are an old pig. What if people told you that writers needed to sashay around and retire at 30.
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I find it very sad that someone has highjacked Shelby’s (comment #4) webpage to use as their own (comment #74). Shelby is not only an excellent flight attendant but also proudly serves her country in the US Army. That is just a reprehensible thing to do.
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Enough said, obviously someone doesn’t like the conversation. Shameful behavior.
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Coram has written a blood-boiling book on an American war-hero and military fighter pilot John Boyd: http://bit.ly/134jr6
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FINAL posts from LT to:
FA Mom and FA,
Just for the record, I’m mad at Coram too, but only because he didn’t man up and identify me as “real” person.
As far as my convenient sisters, Christine(the gay one) thinks this is just a waste of time – so she is probably the smartest. My sister Pat (Delta), I wouldn’t dare share this with because she would tie up this site with her opinion on who “killed” Delta…yeah, she puts a lot of blame on “the grey suit” boys. No argument there.
Bethany,
thanks for weighing in on both counts (I hide out in Bonita Springs these days, too many rear ends like #74 over on the East Coast where I grew up) sorry this got ugly as the day got older;
Colleen,
How nasty is it when you drag Mrs. Coram into this downward spiraling, mean spirited exchange? Why?
FA Mom,
My little (gay)sister just called, she went on the site, great comment: “I knew one of these @#^%$ would bring God into it – bet she sits in church on Sunday and couldn’t tell you what the sermon was about 10 minutes after she walked out the door -what a hypocrite.” Her words not mine!
Shelby,
THANK YOU for serving (I went, involuntarily, 72-76) You know better than to respond to boneheads, fly safe and Go ARMY!
Coram,
You ARE a woos – this was not fun after all.
Christine,
If you are reading this, I’m out, Sis, I swear! -
LT just for the record, the “GLY” remark was meant to be facetious. I certainly was not bringing God into it, at all.
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This is pathetic. I’m bailing out too. the article was cool but the comment section ruined it
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Bob, do not ever stand next to me at the bar. Someone is going to gun you down in public, and I don’t want blood spatters on my shirt. Thank you.
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Certainly an interesting perspective..one big facotr overlooked. We had to have a college education and business experience. One out of every 2000 woman were selected and given the opportunity to walk up and down those asiles just in case of an emergency. Those same women volunteered their time off vacations to work in Laos, Nepal, Cambodia, Viet Naun, with the Tom Dooley Foundation teaching medicine or working for Peace Corps and related organizations for no salary. These same woman were working on their masters, doctors, law degrees and flying liscenses. It is interesting that we cannot be lovely and intelligent at the same time. Those same women were not able to be married,,,yet many had children and husbands…the company couldn’t know. Is what we look now to be held against us? We had more educated, more loaylty, and more dedicated to our profession then the majority of those flying today. It was an honor to be where we chose to be each day. Our days were longer, our planes more dangerous due to less regulations covering chemical transporation, and the like. Smoke filled our cabins and days filled with 6 stops a day with no food on board. Regulations on appearance were based on pride of our industry. Yes some airlines overdid the short skirts etc. Some airlines felt this would save their airline. It helped. It is no longer appropriate but it does not mean we were not ladies with great intellect who cared about those on their plane. If you have the oppertunity to be on the plane of one of those “blonds” you referred to and inplied were brainless, you will find out how wrong you are..no one leaves their planes filled with passengers or GI’s on their way to battle without knowing they are special. It seems what is referred to in this article is that attitude of wonderment that was a part of each stewardess. That doesn’t have to do with what one looks like but who one is. That is still present in so many of those flying today as your “angels in the sky” , your connection in that long white tub to the ground below…just look for that. That comes in all sizes and looks, just appreciate and know you are in good hands…Now as Then
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Judith, the paying customer who pays for your bread doesn’t give a damn about what you did in Iraq or how many PHD thesis you have written. He didn’t pay for the ticket to marvel at your accomplishments that are totally irrelevant to him aboard the aircraft and overlook your arrogance, ugliness and those fat in your waist. Seriously did you even read the article in its entirety? He’s got nothing against your gender, your accomplishments in life and your hair color. He’s talking about the exact same thing billions of passengers have been talking about for decades: the f***** service!!
I grew up with airline pilots, chief flight instructors and cabin crews. My father is the chief purser/leader of all cabin crews in any flight, be it domestic or international, and he doesn’t fly regionals and then come home and yap and whine like you if someone complains to him about bad service. He has been to almost 35 countries of the world so many times that it’s literally not possible for either me or him to count the entrance and exit seals on his passport. Heck he doesn’t even need visas since it would be extremely expensive to apply for a visa before each flight, which is why the airlines and the countries involved gave him a single crew visa that would allow him to fly to any destination offered by his airlines without requiring a visa.
I’ve seen first-hand the good, the bad and the ugly as I had the opportunity to be with him on several flights. You can be a rocket scientist but that doesn’t mean you will do good as a FA. A flight attendant is just similar to a MacDonald worker who’s got nothing better to do but provide the customer with the service he initially expected and paid for. He needs coffee? Go f**** bring it as soon as possible. Looking sexier and wearing ultra-short skirts would help your airlines get more passangers? well go f**** look sexy. You have two choices: 1) Leave FA’s job and be a lawyer with that many educational achievements of yours, or 2) be sexy, beautiful, courteous, adorable, nice, ever-smiling, never-complaining and a sweat Air Stewardess that we used to have in the 80s and 90s. All in all, if you don’t like it, leave it. Or else you’ll end up being furloughed like the rest of the old grumpy retards n here.
You did your best but still he didn’t like your service? Well just shut your trap and ask him what modifications you should implement to make the experience better for him the next time. If Southwest and Emirates can do it, you low-lives regionals can do it too. But please note that he didn’t drop a soap and told you to pick it up. If he did, there are laws for that and you should then exercise your right to admonish him and complain to your seniors about unruly passenger even.
All he’s looking for is a pleasurable and memorable flight, as he doesn’t fly as often as you, and secondly he wants to be served in the manner written in the airlines advertisements he read before purchasing the ticket. He doesn’t have to care if you have masters, doctors, law degrees and flying licenses. Seriously how retarded do you have to be to even say that in here? Would you give a damn about me if I tell you to worship me because I am a rocket-scientist? Would you sleep with me tonight because my academic education is better than yours? Why don’t you ask yourselves these questions before making a full out of yourself by bringing in your Army days in here?
And the US Army that you and your buddy Shelby attended and refer to everywhere in the internet (to make yourselves look better than the rest of us) actually treated you like their slaves. Don’t be dishonest to yourself now. You know you were a slave. You think people don’t know what it is like to serve in the Army? Unless you work in the Army as a doctor, engineer, innovator, airforce pilot, high-ranking officers etc, you’re nothing but a slave in the war-field. You have to sign your life for your country and go to war and risk getting killed, and if you don’t do that, you will be imprisoned. Hell even a illiterate Burger King employee gets much better benefit, recognition and isn’t forced to sacrifice his life for a dumb cause.
I don’t mean to offend anyone, but you FAs and would-be FAs should learn a great deal about who pays you and how you should pay him back by reading this comment. Sorry if this was a bit big.
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What’s the difference between a bandsaw shrieking through metal and Lindy Lou?
You can turn off a bandsaw.
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Lindy Lou: For the last time, Coram isn’t promoting racism, sexism etc.
AGGHHH (this comment has been edited) -
Mr. Coram,
As a former Delta “flight attendant” I have to say I agree with you wholeheartedly!
There are some big, fat, lazy, complaining people wearing a uniform and clogging up the galleys and aisles of aircraft. When I got big, fat, and lazy and felt like complaining, I moved on to another career! It’s sort of like wearing a tank top…. the Above 30 crowd just can’t compete with the Under 30 crowd.
You, sir, have stated what the flying public already KNOWS. -
None of you last three read the “article” if you thought that was about service. Your just ignorant and nothing said will change that.
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What’s the difference between… (this comment has been removed for inappropriateness)
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