Flight Attendants Urge Passengers to Avoid Touching Them for Attention
Flight attendants are increasingly asking passengers to refrain from physical contact when trying to get their attention. This behavior ranks high among their common frustrations on the job. Several veteran flight attendants discussed this issue on the “Jumpseat Chronicles” podcast. They encouraged travelers to use call buttons or simply speak up when needing assistance.
We get poked and touched as flight attendants,
co-host Joshua Boyd noted, emphasizing how persistent this problem is. If we got paid $1 each time, we would be millionaires,
Boyd added.
Instead of touching crew members, flight attendants recommend using the call button, making eye contact, or politely waving if assistance is needed.
Touching a flight attendant crosses personal and professional boundaries,
Diane Gottsman, a national etiquette expert and founder of The Protocol School of Texas, highlighted. She advised using eye contact, a friendly wave, or the call button over touching to gain a flight attendant’s attention.
Gottsman explained, A polite and louder than usual ‘excuse me’ may feel bold, but it’s definitely more appropriate than tapping someone,
emphasizing the importance of maintaining respect for personal space.
She also pointed out that passengers may not be aware of the responsibilities a flight attendant handles at any moment. Their primary focus remains the safety of the passengers, and respecting their job and personal space is vital.
The issue prompted a debate on Reddit, where many agreed that passengers should avoid touching and use call buttons or verbal cues instead.
Some argued that a light tap on the shoulder is a socially acceptable way to get attention, especially in noisy settings like airplane cabins.
Several noted concerns that flight attendants might not hear them in crowded environments.
The discussion gained traction on social media, with numerous flight attendants echoing these sentiments and calling for greater respect for personal boundaries while working.