I don’t think seniority matters when it comes to being overbearing or not caring. Some of the best flight attendants I’ve worked with here are senior and some of the most naggy/complaining/pain in the ass ones are junior. Just depends on the person.

 

I find it helps to talk with the FA’s instead of at them. You’d be surprised how the whole crew attitude changes when the general theme is that you’re willing to hear them out before making a decision. That unreasonable lead FA gets that way because they don’t think you care.

 

Calm assertive. Probably only half the pilots can do this in my experience. Just like Cesar Milan

 

Wait, we have flight attendants?

 

Only because they haven't yet figured out how to do away with them. Same with you and I.

 

Captain struts back to the cabin with the front page of the OFP, where three millennials and a boomer sit in big front seats pecking away at their phones. “You guys ready for a little brief? How was your layover where do you stay blah blah…. Nothing broken in the back but we got a class 2 bleed message blah blah… You guys are my eyes and ears back here teamwork and something blah blah…. Mask mandate if someone gives you trouble I’ll throw them in jail and call security or stern look of disapproval blah blah.. My door is always open if you want to come up and see us flight time to Philly is fourteen hours some bumps with occluded front enroute shear factor seatbelt sign blah blah blah.. You guys got a word you like to use, I like to use ____ cause it shows I’m quirky and fun and everyone’s favorite captain…”

Flight attendants in his head: “This captain cares, his thoughtful briefing makes me feel valued, informed, and included”


Flight attendants in reality: “we need ice.”

 

And we're a lower tier widget at that. That was made abundantly clear to us.

 

Better lose that mindset for the next round coming up shortly.

 

Yeah even if only joking it rubs off on the new guys and the rest of the group. Perception becomes reality.

 

Demand market rate and nothing less. Also, profit sharing.