Do's and Don'ts for Flight Attendants

Now that you're out on the line flying, there are some important DOs and DON'Ts you should know about. 

DOs:

Do figure out routines before and during a trip so that you never forget anything.  Your badge should always be put in the same place. Your passport and work device always in the same spot in your tote.  Have a routine for the day you start a trip, which would include how you get yourself ready and dressed and out the door.  When you deviate from this routine you're more likely to forget something important.

Do keep your work device charged on your days off and upload anything you need to as soon as possible.  

If you're assigned CBTs* or Must Reads, do them as soon as you're able to.  It's so tempting to put them off, especially if you have some time before they're due.  But life happens and there is always a chance you'll forget to go back and get them done.

When you get to your hotel room, do prop your door open with your suitcase and check around before coming in and locking the door.  Again, follow a routine for getting settled into your room.  I always come in and put my roller board on a rack if there is one.  I grab my toiletry and makeup bags and put them on the bathroom counter.  Then I'll change and hang my uniform up with my badge attached.  Afterward I set all my electronic devices up to charge.  

Do exchange numbers or at least take note of your fellow crewmembers' hotel room numbers when you get to your hotel, unless you have a method of chatting already set up.  You may need to coordinate for meals or meeting up or just keep each other posted on changes to your trip.

Do drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated while flying.  Keep sipping on that bottle of water because your cells need it.  Considering adding a Liquid IV for even more hydration. 

Do bring something warm to wear on your trips.  Even if you're going somewhere tropical, bring a sweatshirt anyway.  Nighttime can still be chilly. 

Do bring a pair of flip flops.  They're lightweight and lie flat and won't take up a lot of room in your bag.  But you will find you're glad you brought them on many occasions. 

Do get approved for FMLA if you or someone you care for has any health issues.  You don't want to rack up a lot of attendance points and occurrences if you can avoid it.  Usually you can't set this up until you've been employed there a year but when you're eligible get the ball rolling on this.

Do read your company emails and join company Facebook pages and flight attendant groups to stay up on important and time sensitive news. 

Do keep spare batteries for your flashlight in your tote.  

Do bring extra pairs of panty hose. 

Do check your iron in your hotel room before using it.  Some have corrosion or substances on them.   The last thing you want to do is smear that all over a fresh uniform piece.   

Do force yourself to nap if you have a red eye that night.  Sleep is vital so get it while you can. 

Do bring lipbalm with you.

Do take something for your immune system, such as Airborne or Emergen-C.  When I first started flying I always seemed to have a cold. 

   

Do check your key card before leaving your room to make sure it's still working.  Sometimes your card will deactivate before you're scheduled to leave and it's better to find out early on.

Do bring an extra long phone cord or an extension cord.  Not every hotel is updated to modern times and there may be no available outlet close to your bed.  

Do consider bringing an extra lock with you for your hotel room door.  You'll sleep better at night if you know you're safe.  Here's the one I purchased:

 

 

DON'Ts:

Be careful of letting passengers know what hotel you're staying at and guard your key and room numbers.  Don't share this information with passengers, even in passing.  You honestly don't know someone's motives.

Don't leave your personal items unattended in an airport public gate area.  If someone isn't nearby that you trust to watch your things, take them with you.

Don't drink on the job!  That should go without saying but I'm saying it anyway.  And make sure you follow your company's alcohol policy  If you can't drink 8-10 hours prior to reporting for duty, then don't drink 8-10 hours prior to reporting for duty.

Don't forget to set an alarm if you head to your crew room for a catnap.  It would suck to arrive on time for your trip but sleep through your report time.  

Don't get caught up in drama created by others.  There is always someone who loves to stir things up.  Steer clear.  Fly below the radar.  My advice: do your job, do it well and keep your nose clean.  

Don't feel guilty about slam-clicking**.  If you don't feel like doing anything except lying on your bed in your hotel room, watching Netflix and ordering Uber Eats, do it and don't feel guilty.  That being said, you really should get out and enjoy some of your layovers, especially if it's new to you.

Don't be rude to hotel employees.   Treat them as you would like to be treated.  Common sense.  Also, don't get sassy with TSA.

Don't be demeaning to new hires.  You won't always be a new hire but don't get cocky when you're more senior to some.  Be as helpful as you can.   Try to remember these days when you were just starting out.

Don't overpost on Social Media.  Be aware of your company's social media policy, if there is one, and don't violate it.  This is also a place where drama will get stirred up.  As tempting as it is, don't get caught up in that.    

Don't leave anything in the galley compartments, carts or carriers during landing.  Everything should be put away prior to that.  Trust me.  You're far more likely to accidentally forget something or catering could show up and take that container or cart away with your items inside!

Don't put your hotel room key in the same pocket as your cell phone.  Even with an envelope around it, it could still get erased.  Nothing is more annoying than finally getting to your hotel room at the end of a long day only to find your key card doesn't work.  Sometimes it's not your fault.  It just wasn't set up right.  But cell phones can erase your card so beware.

Don't violate KCM rules.  Random checks have increased.  Just follow the rules.  It's not that hard. 

There are plenty more and will add them here over time.  These are some things that I've learned along the way.   Feel free to leave a comment with more Do's and Don'ts you live by.

* - CBTs= Computer Based Training.  Training modules that will be assigned to you from time to time.

** - slam clickers are crew members that go in their hotel rooms, slam the door and click the lock.  Then they don't come out until time for the van. That's ok if that's you.  It's me a lot too.

This isn't a Do or a Don't.  Just a note about something I just picked up.  I work red eyes a lot because I'm a commuter and that's helpful in getting me home on my last day (when the trip ends with a red eye).  So I'll nap before that flight.  Sometimes I'll have a red eye to a city and then work another red eye that night.  Few things are as annoying as having housekeeping banging on my door while I'm trying to day sleep.  Some hotels don't provide a Do Not Disturb door hanger.  So I bought my own!  It was dirt cheap and super light so it's not like I have this heavy thing to drag around with me.  I was just worried I'd forget them when I left.  But the last thing I do before walking out my door to head down is grab that hanger from my knob.  This is the one I got.  Just something to think about.