Originally Posted by
maxjet
Are you kidding me? We actually have intelligent men who think for one second, that the above examples were out of respect for the Captain??? I can guarantee you that if you left the FA’s in the rain that respect is the last thing on their minds. Give me the above self sufficient FA who I know will handle things well in an emergency over the group of subservient workers who have to wait for permission before undertaking any task. Respect is earned not granted by company manual.
It is a respect for the position. Having flown stateside for 25 years then 11 years overseas.....the ability of the international F/As is every bit as good as their US counterparts. EK crashed a 777 in Dubai and the cabin crew did an incredible job evacuating the plane. Yet on a layover, as Kap stated, they would respect the position to check in. Stateside, I had a few occasions where I was TOLD they didn't have to either listen or ignored instructions/briefings/etc. Never overseas and have seen almost "wrestling matches" to get to the check-in desk first to get their "deserved" rooms. In fact, I have seen where the desk clerks would allow familiar F/As hand out the keys and sign everybody in. Just the nature of the beast.