Old(er) flight attendants

[Foreigner]

http://rendezvous.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/you-thought-you-were-a-frequent-flyer/

Ron is 83 and still a flight attendant with UA.

Interesting comparisons with those at international airlines like Singapore Airlines and Emirates.

 

[kpc]

At the risk of being labelled ageist, I prefer SQ's FAs average age

 

[Justchecking]

Great if you are on SQ where the dollies are all trained factory fashion to be stepford wives. However dont imagine that pretty young things from countries where individualism is alive and raging will fuss over you like you pay their wage or something. If you havent noticed the young kids of today arent fabulous at doing what they are told. They'd just as soon tell you to go get it yourself as they would serve you. But hey, if cabin decoration with a side of attitude is your thing go for it.

Personally I couldn't care less if the bride of dracula was serving me as long as she was nice about it, and I got my coffee hot.

 

[JohnM]

At the risk of being labelled ageist, I prefer SQ's FAs average age

And, presumably, their gender :?:.

 

[harvyk]

I'll admit I like younger attractive FA's, that said the age of the FA serving me really plays no part in my airline choice.

 

[Paddy55]

Ron sounds quite a character although there's something sad about a society where a 80+ yo has to work.

 

[mannej]

Ron sounds quite a character although there's something sad about a society where a 80+ yo has to work.

In regards to your point, my partners grandfather is heading towards his 80's, but still works as he prefers it to not working. It doesn't always come down to financial need.

My partner and I did find it interesting that the Cabin Crew (J) for QF68 on Sunday was totally male, with an average age of 50+. No issues with the service, but funny there was not a female in sight (I didn't go for a walk around, so I am sure there were some at the back of the bus).

 

[JohnM]

I thought Ron's story was rather nice.

I'm sure that he doesn't have to work. I think he's just one of those people who dedicate their life to something and can keep loving it forever. And pretty impressive that UA kept him on. He was darn sprightly.

I only hope he can ease out by perhaps having a voluntary thing to keep in touch with his mates at UA (maybe like I think some retired QF people are involved in counting the Change For Good money).

Also, IIRC, he had a regular Denver-Hawaii gig which kept taking him to his home region (without revisisting the clip to check, it seemed that he may live in Denver and grew up in Hawaii).

 

[Foreigner]

Bob (Sir Robert) Jones told a story about times that TEAL, forerunner of NZ, used to employ unattractive cabin crew. Passengers would elect window seats to look out rather than look towards crew and, if window seats were taken up, board with sunglasses to avoid looking at the crew. I don't know if all this was exaggeration but the NZ of now is quite different, as I see it...with better looking crew and promoting itself with crew in body paint and stuff in commercials.

 

[MatF]

My partner and I did find it interesting that the Cabin Crew (J) for QF68 on Sunday was totally male, with an average age of 50+. No issues with the service, but funny there was not a female in sight (I didn't go for a walk around, so I am sure there were some at the back of the bus).

You know, as an aside, I've wondered about this before. I've noticed quite a few all-male crews - more than I'd expect given my impression of the general M/F split of crew. Anyone know how crew are assigned?