Hi, before I start, let me introduce you to the world of aviation, where cabin crew are often looked down upon as dumb waitresses, while captains are often glorified. But interestingly, we do find our common grounds together apart from aviation, i.e., in living life, life full of sacrifices, being called out as a characterless profession, and a deep love for calling the skies our home.
There is a purpose and passion to write, especially about this topic, as when passengers board a flight, they are greeted with warm smiles and polished uniforms. But behind those perfect greetings and rehearsed safety demos lies a world of emotional labor, physical exhaustion, and mental strain that often goes unseen, unacknowledged, and unspoken.
Loneliness above 36,000 ft. : while our responsibilities go far beyond serving meals or chilling inside the cockpit. Bollywood has painted a different picture for you, though we hold a mirror to reality. The pilot-crew banter gets a lot of flak, but it’s often our only moment of emotional release when you’re isolated in a pressurized tube with 200 strangers. We are frequently mentally breaking down in seats, galleys, and eventually entering a constantly stinking washroom to cry our hearts out before cleaning it and pretending it's a break to rock again in those aisles. The profession has been so glorified that no one is willing to look at it and delve deeply into it. We are all just acting as mere spectators here.
Happiness at home, even in a galley: As a crew, I assure you that we all hold cherished memories of those aircraft, destinations, jump seats, and even those stinking washrooms. We may complain thousands of times about our company, exhausting rosters, odd weeks off, delays, missed family functions, and sometimes, our birthdays, but not once did we ever think of leaving it. I think it’s the only profession fueled by pure passion.
We don’t just serve coffee: we serve safety, compassion, and resilience.
But let’s talk honestly and stop sugarcoating the problem:
The aviation industry is often painted with the brush of luxury, travel perks, and exotic layovers. Social media glamorizes the lifestyle of flight attendants and pilots. Yet, few understand the hidden price crew members pay to keep passengers safe, comfortable, and happy thousands of feet above ground.
Behind the scenes:
- Sleep deprivation becomes the norm due to changing time zones.
- Long hours on feet, often without proper meals or hydration.
- Jet lag and irregular body clocks disrupt physical health.
- Emotional stress from being away from family and personal support systems.
- Exposure to passenger aggression, emergencies, and in-flight health crises.
- Unstable personal relationships due to distance and demanding schedules.
But how often have you seen anyone taking their time to understand our actual work?
And yes, we knew what we were doing, but I don't recall choosing condescending behavior of others, no empathy, and simply people shouting at us, "Waitress!" or being called in different musical tones. I never saw hotel staff being taught first aid, ditching, firefighting, or crisis management. Surprise, but we know, sir, and the rigorous three-month training was not about the hot or cold towel, but it was more about emergencies where we all will be under the water or over the land, together.
While many may envy or misunderstand us, few see the sacrifices behind the smiles, and we all deserve loud applause rather than shame. You may be amazed when you see planes flying on autopilot and pilots resting in business class or in the cockpit, but trust me, it’s our training, calmness, and decision-making that save lives in a crisis. Your brain must function properly because one mistake will cost each of us dearly.
A Simple Thank You Goes a Long Way: Therefore, please respect the profession at all times, not just during crashes or emergencies. You may not realize the effort that goes into your excellent plating, 5-star service, and smooth landing, but it is a significant expense for all of us, and a simple thank you can make a huge difference. We don't often come across generous souls onboard, so when you do, rest assured that we will always hold your kindness in the highest regard.
The skies are our home, but your kindness is our fuel.
If this touched you, carry that gratitude with you next time you fly. You never know who’s silently holding it all together at 35,000 feet.
In light of this, the next time you observe a calm pilot or cheerful flight attendant, keep in mind the invisible struggles they may be enduring. The aviation crew doesn’t just help us reach destinations: they give up comfort, sleep, family, and often their peace of mind to ensure our journeys are smooth.
Let’s shift the narrative: from glamour to grit, from stereotypes to support.
Share this. Speak up, and help the world see aviation crews for what they truly are:
trained professionals, safety officers, and silent warriors.
Let’s stop glorifying only the perks and start humanizing the people behind the uniform.
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