What if Flight Attendants could rate us just like we rate them? That’s the question George Hobica asked on The Airfare Watchdog. It was an idea, he says, proposed by a crew member on a recent flight. His column focused on what that reward system might look like, and whether it was even feasible, but my first thought was how this might affect the flight experience.
Who hasn’t boarded a plane with dread wondering what new horrors await beyond the cabin door? Will the seatmates be nice? Will some barefoot beachie type insist on trimming their toenails in the next seat over? Will someone in front of you slam back their seat just after coffee is served, spilling it into your laptop…again? Would the possibility of a reward encourage “those” passengers to at least try to display some decorum and civility?
Some say we should not reward people for what they should be doing in the first place, or that we would be feeding the entitlement monster. However, peer pressure and leading by example only go so far. There are those who honestly don’t understand when they are in the wrong, or are being fine examples of “those people” until they see someone else being acknowledged – even rewarded – for being just the opposite. At the same time, everyone likes to be acknowledged for doing the right thing, and positive reinforcement is a tried and true method of improving behavior if not attitude. Even if people are nicer just to get a little pat on the back, isn’t that worth it?
Can you imagine being the last one to board a flight when everyone actually obeyed the rules regarding carry-on luggage in the overhead bins? Maybe – just maybe – there might be room up there for yours, and maybe even somewhere close to your seat. (Bonus!) Or what if Mr. Aisle Seat kindly got up and helped you get settled in your miserable middle seat instead of acting like you’re a nuisance? Even better, what if someone just scooted over and let you have the aisle so we could all get seated more quickly? To quote John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”
Though I’m not usually inclined to voluntarily take the middle seat, I try to always be helpful, friendly, courteous and kind – it’s the Boy Scout in me, and the way my parents raised me. I will get up and help you get settled, or get your luggage into the bins. I do smile at the Flight Attendants and ask how their day is. And I won’t recline my seat unless it’s late and the person behind me has done the same. I don’t expect a reward for my behavior, but I do hope others will act similarly. (Of course, the realist in me understands that, more often than not, my good behavior will be met with indifference – especially on an airplane, it seems – but that won’t dissuade me.)
So what if Flight Attendants could rate us, similar to Uber drivers being able to rate their passengers? The question each of us should be asking is, “How would I rate?” Regardless of other passengers, the flight crew, Mother Nature’s effect on your itinerary, the gate agent who didn’t upgrade you, the kid at the coffee place who only added one sugar when you asked for two…regardless of anything that you cannot control, how would you rate as a passenger?
The one thing you can control on a plane, or anywhere, is your behavior, and that behavior is the only thing the rest of us can rate you on. You must decide: will you get an A today?
What do you think? Is this a good idea or maybe not so much? Do you think it would improve the travel experience? Why or why not? We would love to hear your thoughts!
Feature image: A scene from the 1970 movie Airport. Even when society was more polite, flying was a gamble.
I’ve shared plane cabins with more than a few totally obnoxious passengers, including one who was removed from the immigration queue in LAX by officials due to his inflight behaviour towards crew and other passengers…so I think he’d definitely score at the extreme end of any flight crew rating. I’d like to think I’d rate towards the other end – I just get on, sit down, put my headphones on and remember my manners…I’m fairly low maintenance as far as passengers go. But perhaps lack of initiating conversation with crew would take my rating down a few points?
Hi Fairlie – thanks for stopping by! I’m much the same – sit down, mind my manners…and then almost always nod off. Hopefully, the flight crews would rate us “low maintenance” flyers highly!
Oh, the flight attendants do rate us, but just amongst themselves, and it doesn’t mean anything. Interesting idea, though. I’ll have to ask my sister about “Dos and Don’ts of air travel.” She’s a stewardess.
I’m sure they do! I wonder if passengers rate as highly with the crew as they think. I also wonder why some people don’t seem to care what the crew thinks of them. Oblivious to the perks of being polite to the crew and fellow passengers, I suppose.
Thanks for stopping by, Jolanta!