The Evolution of the Stewardess

I recently returned home from vacation and upon my arrival at JFK airport I had an epiphany. I have been traveling by airplane for many years and have been on a variety of airlines  and have visited many different airports all over the USA.

And over the years there have been many changes . But the one that sticks out most (other than the obvious security ones) is the role of the "Cabin Crew." Originally these mother’s helpers in the sky were called “Stewardesses and Stewards” and they greeted each guest on their flight with a broad  smile , a pillow, a blanket and later a hot meal, after a brief lesson in airline safety protocols. The only thing , other than your ticket that they charged you for was alcohol.

As the years progressed these wonderful air hostesses and hosts became “Flight Attendants.” These new and improved in flight mavens now would help secure carry-on luggage, serve partial cups of drink and small snacks, issue headphones for in flight films and instruct you to read the safety card in the rear pocket of the seat in front of yours , while pointing out the emergency exits. 

They also became the school safety officers of the sky- telling you to buckle your seatbelts, store your pocketbooks under the seat in front of you, turn off your electronic devices, not smoke in the lavatories, dispose of your refuse properly, when you needed to return to your seat  and wait till the plane comes to a complete stop in the terminal before you could stand to disembark. And still  the only thing they charged you for on the plane was alcohol.

However, on my last flight, these aviation tacticians have become “Aeronautical Hucksters” with fanny pack mounted credit card  machines. These new “Airline Vendors”  look to sell or rent you headsets, Snack packs, pillows, luggage space, and more.

They are like stadium peddlers selling popcorn , cotton candy and hotdogs seat to seat as they go. As if going by the titles of Chief Purser (CP), Inflight Service Manager (ISM), Cabin Service Manager (CSM) somehow justifies  them to nickel and dime you the whole way to or from your destination for your desired comfort.

Now I understand that this is not the fault of the employee, but that of the employer in what they perceive to be the growth of their business. What’s next in their evolution? Asking me to chip in for fuel on the stop over? 

Maturation is one thing, but what would Wilbur and Orville say if they saw that  their invention has become the object of such financial oppression. Cha-Ching? I think NOT!