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Flight Attendants Describe The Scariest Flight They've Ever Been On

Flight Attendants Describe The Scariest Flight They've Ever Been On
Photo by Ross Parmly on Unsplash

It takes a lot to become a flight attendant. Not only do you have to maintain a calm demeanor while dealing with some of the antsiest and worst passengers in all of the service industry but, oh yeah, you need to do it 30,000 feet off the ground. Fortunately, almost all flights ever are standard take off and touch down. Nothing exciting ever happens, except for a crying baby.

And then, there are these flights.


Reddit user, u/mrSFWdotcom, wanted to know about:

Flight attendants of Reddit: what's the most legitimately scared you've ever been on a flight?

Wait For It...

Flight attendant here. I haven't really had many things happening that were scary, usually the stories are more gross or fun/sad. Turbulence doesn't really do anything for me but medical situations freak me out.

We are trained for identifying what the situation is and how to help or make them confortable in more severe ones. I still remember in my first year, having just taken off for the first of four flights on that day, a passenger pressed the call Bell because another passenger wasn't well. I was the first to arrive to help and I will spare the details but it looked serious. We suspected that he was having a stroke so we had to land as fast as possible.

There was so much going on in the 15 minutes it took us to land and then waiting for paramedics to take him to the hospital. I was scared for him. He got off and we carried on but I kept going back to think what I could have done better and kept dreaming that he passed away ( if the passenger doesn't contact the company after, we don't find out what has happened). So yeah not very scary but it [stuck] with me.

Bonus gross story (as I have plenty of these) : Elderly passenger once left me a bag of pee under the seat. Still warm.

WeirdOreo

What A First Flight

I was on a plane about 8 years ago. It was one of my first flights, hadn't experienced any real turbulence. That plane was bouncing all over the place. There luggage started falling from the overhead space. It was wild. Flight attendants were strapped in, I couldn't see them though. By the time they came around with the snacks they had called down, but some of the passengers were permashook, didn't call down until we landed

mrdewtles

Not Scared. SCARRED.

A couple went into the bathroom on my flight to Hong Kong from Australia. After a few minutes she started screaming, thought she was getting murdered, they accidentally unlocked the door, I don't know how and they were there committing some very hardcore sinful acts.

I was traumatised, not so much scared but scarred

mashedpotatoflesh

Did Anyone Else Feel That?

I have had 4 emergencies total on an aircraft. We go through rigorous training and it is ongoing for our entire careers to prepare us physically and mentally for almost any problem on board. The most scared I have even been is when a major part of the plane broke inflight during landing. I felt it happen and the passengers never noticed. I sat in my jumpseat, prepared myself for the worse and kept smiling.

We landed just fine, Captain called and said remain seated. Went to the gate, said goodbye to all the passengers and after they had left, the Captain smiled and looked at me and said, do you know we almost died. I said, yeah...I felt it right before landing.

The FO (First Officer) looked like he sh-t himself. We were stuck on the ground for 5 hours waiting for maintenance to come with a part from another state entirely. I was scared for a moment, but got over it quickly. Flew out the same day and did 2 more flights that were delayed. The passengers were angry and mean and I just apologized and smiled. They had no idea we almost became a statistic. The other 3 were medical emergencies and I just handled it like I'm trained to.

hatever

Never Scream On An Airplane

My sister was in a flight once where a person near started having a panic attack/manic episode, and started punching the window and the people sitting near them, screaming, "let me out!" And scrambled into the isle trying to make a beeline for the exit door.

They had to make an emergency landing, and the entire crew was subduing this person. A jerk in the row in front of her keep pushing the call bell and getting mad he wasn't getting served. She said the flight crew just got a serious look on their face and handled it

Froggetpwagain

Lasting Impact

Not me, but my brother. Can't remember all the details, but they were flying home from a destination wedding. He flew a lot, and was not a nervous flier. Something happened, masks came down, and they were all told to brace for a possible crash landing. Luckily, the plane didn't crash. However, my brother now needs to take Xanax to fly.

woodslw

Up, Then Down, Then Up, Then Down

Flying out of Denver can be real choppy for the first few minutes of gaining altitude.

One time I was on a smaller turboprop type plane. We had waited 30 minutes for a storm to clear. The takeoff was smooth enough but in less than a minute we hit turbulence.

I've flown on huge jets with center aisles, and small prop planes that fit 5-6 people including pilot. I'm used to the sudden drops of altitude and feeling the stomach flip, and I know those drops can be 100 to 1000s of feet in a second. I've also felt turbulence that knocked luggage loose and made people start praying. I know that planes are made to withstand all of this, and want to remain in the air.

But holy sh-t I thought we were going to hit the ground. It seemed like every time we'd get lift, we'd lose twice as much. I could still see ground very clearly, and the angle we were stuck at and starting thinking we'd stall before anything else. I don't know what the pilots did, but for the next minute you could hear the engines roaring off and on, and we slowly got altitude and seemed to level out.

Things calmed down but when I looked outside we were still relatively low. Flight attendants went down the rows checking everyone and then offered drinks and snacks. I ordered a double whiskey neat and found out they were comping alcohol.

I've since learned that after any turbulence or other issue, if they happen to buy your drink after, some serious sh-t almost or did likely happen.

I also try not to fly much.

maxcrabb

You'll Always Wonder, Yet Never Know

I worked as an airhost for two years.

On a flight to copenhagen we had a medical emergency. A passenger fainted with what his friend said was stomach pain. We gave the person oxygen and asked his friend to hold his head back. We where just about to land and to not hurt the man further the pilots landed swiftly. AS soon as the plane touched down we jumped up from the jumpseats to assist the man. He was now awake, but very pale and very weak. We gathered his information so it could be relayed to the tower and get help at the gate.

The passengers where rushed off, to make room for the EMT's. The man was helped and treated before being transported off the plane. The EMT came back to tell us that he was OK.

We had a normal turn-around after that. We loaded up again and went home. The flight took no longer than 50 min. When we landed, we learned that he did not make it. He was better after exiting the plane. He was given the clear and a pass to the lounge awating the next flight to catch up with his friends, but sadly turned for the worse and passed away.

That really hit home. I was affraid I missed something, or that I should have known better. We had all passed him several times. Even his friends sitting next to him did not know, that every time we thought he was slepping, he had most likely passed out. I kept this in mind every flight since. Kept asking people who traveled together if the other one was sleeping and such.

I never found out what caused his death. Since he was taken off the plane he no longer was our responsibillity. The airport did not give us any more information.

I still think about this man, what happend and what could have been done, 5 years later.

Dry_Squirrel

Poor Timing

My dad flies from AZ to HI a couple times a month (pre covid). I know turbulence can sometimes be bad but the craziest story he told me was when a elderly man died shortly after take off so a flight attendant covered him with a blanket for the remainder of the 6+ hour flight. Something you probably don't think about when applying to the job.

zac967

Good. Lord.

Finally a question I can answer! My only real scare as a flight attendant was a bomb threat we received right after take off, apparently someone had called the authority and reported a bomb in the aircraft. Captain informed us of the situation and told us we were going back to base, we just told the passengers we had a technical issue not to scare them but it was the 15 longest minutes of my life. In the end we learned it was just a guy who didn't want his parents to visit him and discover he was growing weed in his apartment...

Ellana534

People Explain What They Bought With Their First-Ever Paycheck

Reddit user MisterChiTown92 asked: 'What did you buy with your first ever work paycheck?'

Person fanning out wad of $100 bills
Alexander Mils/Unsplash

Working a first job is an important part of growing up.

Whether it's working a paper route (do kids even do this anymore?) or working at a video rental store (do those even exist anymore?) first-ever part-time jobs establish important life values and lessons to the youth.

Also, there's nothing that validates accomplishment at a young age more than being able to buy something with their hard-earned money.

Curious to hear examples of this, Redditor MisterChiTown92 asked:

"What did you buy with your first ever work paycheck?"

These generous Redditors found value in paying it forward.

Dinner's On Me

"It was 1976, I was making a whopping $2.50/hour at age 16 (20 cents higher than minimum wage, and it was an office job so I wasn't on my feet all day)....my family didn't have a lot of money (which is why I started working while in the 11th grade), so with my first paycheck I took my Mom and brothers out to dinner at Big Boy. I remember being all proud to say 'Get whatever you want, even the combo meal and a milkshake, it's on me."'

– Ouisch

Dinner Miscalculation

"I took my mom out to a fancy French restaurant. I had no idea how much it was going to cost, then plus tip, I didn’t even have enough! So she had to help me pay the rest. My mom still joke about that from time to time when we go out with the family."

"That was almost 25 yrs ago, damn time flew by."

– jonwtc

Gift For Mom

"I bought my mother a beautiful shawl. I never saw her wear it but it was in with her things when she died nearly 50 years later."

– WakingOwl1

These Redditors got to reward themselves with the things they enjoy most.

Creating Memories

"About twenty bucks of my first paper route earnings, for the pizza buffet and soft drinks, and some arcade games, with my best friend."

"While the shape I've been in has varied over the years, I've kept that stamina I built up hauling around damn near my weight in newsprint. For long endurance rides, hikes with a loaded-up pack, and running."

– ArmsForPeace84

Brand New Kicks

"I was 14 and got a job as a bus boy at a local BBQ joint. With my first check, I went and bought myself a pair of blue/brown Airwalk shoes. I remember how cool it felt to be able to buy something for myself and not have to ask my parents."

– johnnybmagic

Scoring Big Time

"A Playstation 2. Excellent buy, kept it for a over decade before buying an Xbox One."

– Birdo-the-Besto

"It was an Xbox 360 for me. Loved that console."

– HabeLinkin

"Still have a modded PS2. Had a hard drive with games on it too. It still turns on last I checked, I wonder if the hard drive still works..."

–DubaU

A Timeless Treasure

"My family owned a construction business, and my father had me on site for as long as I could remember. I don't remember the first thing I ever bought with what he paid me, but I remember the first thing I set out to buy and had to work for weeks to get the money for. It was a Lego castle set. $49. I'm almost 50 now, and I still have it."

– Spodson

Naughty Pleasures

"lol I bought a candy g-string so I could eat it off of my girlfriend while she was wearing it, and a black cowboy hat with spikes on it from Hot Topic hahaha"

dirtydickmf

Some recalled having to prioritize taking care of business over indulgences.

The Necessities

"gasoline and insurance to continue to be able to go to work."

– TurpitudeSnuggery

"I remember getting my first paycheck being so proud of it and my stepfather goes wow you don't have enough for gas. How are you getting to work for the next two weeks? Made me realize I needed to work more."

"I should also put in here that this was my first on the books paycheck. Made it feel a little different."

– truelydorky

Saving Up For Wheels

"Used to mow lawns and do odd jobs for cash when I was a kid. When I got my first 'real' paycheck that I had to cash at a bank, I saved every penny for several months until I bought my first car at age 16."

"Had zero expenses back then, which made it easy to save money. Fun memory."

– YupHio

Building A Wardrobe

"Clothes."

"I had to start working at the age of 12 because my parents could no longer afford to buy clothes for me."

– Opposite-Purpose365

I worked at a video game store in the mall when I was 15.

I was miserable being stuck behind a counter in a tiny corner store with hardly any adequate air circulation. Working with a personality-clashing co-worker didn't help things either.

But when I got my first paycheck, I remember thinking it was a major milestone and reward for enduring the unpleasant work conditions.

I used my first-ever earnings on a denim jacket from the Gap at the mall where I worked. I wore that stone-washed jacket with pride at school for years.

What was your most prized purchase from your first paycheck?

man and woman at wedding with balloons
Álvaro CvG on Unsplash

Weddings are built up to be magical events heralding a happily ever after for the newly minted spouses.

But like any major life event, a lot can go wrong.

Weather, illness, natural disasters, relationship drama, family squabbles... you name it and someone, somewhere has seen it at a wedding.

Keep reading...Show less
assorted items at antique shop
Christelle BOURGEOIS on Unsplash

Growing up we used a can opener, toaster and hand mixer that my Mother received as wedding gifts. She was married in 1966 and those small appliances were still working well into the 1990s.

When Mum sold her house and downsized, she decided to get new small appliances that matched. The old but still functioning ones were avocado green, stainless and harvest gold.

Since then I've gone through countless electric can openers, toasters and hand mixers and none worked as well or as long as those ones from the 1960s.

The ones with moving parts don't have the same power as the old ones and the toasters all lose heating coils in just a few years.

My complaints about small appliances are mirrored by many.

Keep reading...Show less
angry girl in black and white striped shirt
Photo by Julien L on Unsplash

Double standards are an unfortunate part of society.

A double standard is when two or more individuals or sets of people are treated differently when they should be treated the same.

A good example is the difference in the way my brother and I are treated when we cook. I'm big on baking and have a natural talent for it. Whenever I bake anything, even something complicated, like cheesecake, I'm given minimal praise, if any at all. This is because I'm a woman, and in my family culture, women are expected to be able to bake.

My brother isn't as good a baker as me and rarely does it, but when he does, he is praised for subpar brownies because he's a man and it's amazing he can even cook as well as he does.

I'm not the only one who has experience with this.

Redditors have identified many double standards in society and are eager to share.

It all started when Redditor Extreme-Minute-4746 asked:

"What double standards make you angry?"

Civil Service

"As a federal government employee, why do I have to follow all kinds of ethics rules, but politicians and judges don’t?"

– mittychix

"F**k, right? I have to spend six weeks reviewing documentation and hearing out dozens of random companies to award a £100k contract but the minister who runs my department can give his mate's company a multi-million£ contract to run ferries without even getting quotes - DESPITE THAT COMPANY NOT HAVING AND FERRIES AND THE PORT IN QUESTION NOT HAVING CAPACITY FOR THEM."

"I left the civil service after that one."

– Disco_is_Death

"This. Yeah I could get in trouble for accepting a gift over $50 (like I have that much influence anyway) but politicians and judges get lobbied millions..it's infuriating."

– gtbeam3r

"Yes. And they get to keep their jobs for being completely dysfunctional, but if I pulled a fraction that garbage, I’d be fired."

– TrekJaneway

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

"That some people expect you to respect their no, whilst they will most definitely not respect yours."

– IvyBloodroot

"On that note, respecting someone as an authority is often equated to respecting someone as an individual."

"Eg. Teachers who say if you don't respect me (as a superior), I won't respect you (as a person), when they're really not the same thing."

– Paperonia

The Bullied

"School bullying."

"The kid getting picked on has essentially no power. Go to a teacher? Get labeled a snitch and tattle tale. Don't do anything? You're just made an easier target. The moment they fight back, they're the ones who end up dealing with detention, suspension, expulsion, etc. You have more power as a bully in the schools than the victim."

– FriskeCrisps

"It's because bullied people are usually rule followers, and the school wants the problem dealt with as quickly as possible. Best way to do that is to expect the rule follower to follow rules, rather than the rule breaker to suddenly change their ways."

"Fairness ends up on the chopping block."

– darsynia

Services Cliff

"I'm 41 years old and have Cerebral Palsy. If I try to find anything related to the disease - how to deal with it, any kind of ongoing care - it is virtually impossible because all the care is just for children with CP. It's like once you turn 18 the world just doesn't care anymore."

– Zechnophobe

"I’m autistic and in the same boat. “How to deal with a child who…” I'M ASKING FOR ME."

– aroaceautistic

A Two-Way Street

"People who are obsessed with the idea of kids being respectful towards adults, but don't treat kids with respect in turn."

"Edit for example: I went to a very old-fashioned school where the rule was that when an adult entered the room, even in the library and break/lunch, every student in the room had to immediately fall silent - mid sentence, mid word, didn't matter - and stand up until we were given permission to sit back down again. If we didn't, we were chewed out and sometimes even given detentions. The argument was that it trained us into respect, but I was also brought up to believe it's rude to interrupt, and it felt like the teachers were constantly interrupting us."

– MerylSquirrel

"My father in law is like that. He’s “kids should be seen and not heard” type of old school."

"But then he wonders why the children in the family all steer clear of him and why they disregard most things he says."

– Macintosh0211

Doctor, Doctor

"This might be a bit controversial, but I’ve come across a couple of doctors who demand special treatment away from work but preach and practice treating all their patients equally."

– kimchi-pancake

"They charge you a fee or cancel if you’re 5 minutes late but have no problem leaving you waiting for hours. I’ve waited an hour in the lobby and another in the actual examination room."

– SadComfort8692

"Same! i can understand if it’s out of their control but i could hear her, clear as day, giggling with her coworkers about her weekend. i waited 20 in the lobby and 20 in the exam room. i love a good gab but, for f**k’s sake, do it later! if i yapped outside for 20 minutes, it would be a $50 fee and another 4 month long wait to be seen again."

"I suddenly had a $50 i-can-hear-you-nattering-through-the-wall fee. she laughed but it’s been collecting interest ever since…"

– manyfeetball

Alcohol Is Alcohol

"Beer drinkers act like they aren’t alcoholics because they don’t drink hard liquor. Ok sir you just drank 25 beers and then looked at me sideways for drinking a g&t at the family reunion."

– Brainfog_shishkabob

"Same goes for the “sophisticated” wine drinkers..."

"Stop judging me for enjoying a drink on the terrace a few times a year, when you empty 1-2 bottles each evening..."

– 2Madam_Mimmm

"That’s definitely the way it is. I’ve got a snotty alcoholic family member, that THINKS she’s sophisticated, because she drinks high dollar wine, out of very expensive glasses."

"Yeah, pissing yourself and passing out, in front of the mailbox, are definitely the traits of a sophisticated person."

– sweathogbrooklyn

Mr. Mom

"Fathers taking care of their kids."

"I take my kids to doctor appointments, dentist appointments, take them to school, and pick them up. I do all that stuff."

"Every single f**king time, it's, “Dad’s babysitting today?” Or some stupid comment like that. No, I’m not babysitting. I’m being a f**king parent!"

"I hate the double standard that dads can’t do stuff like that with their kids."

"I can’t take my daughter to the park without being questioned or looked at funny either."

"People need to give dads more respect. A lot of us bust our a**es too. I work hard. I take care of my kids, I play with my kids. I clean the house. I do laundry. I don’t stop. I don’t rest, I don’t relax."

– moms-sphaghetti

"Give us changing tables in the men's room!"

– Da1UHideFrom

"Nothing bugs me more than when a place only has changing tables in the women's bathroom."

"It's 2023, I take my son to the aquarium by myself sometimes... Looking at you London SeaLife centre 🤨"

– AstonVanilla

Household Split

"The laundry is always a wierd one. My wife is a much better cook than me. And she hates me cooking when she's in the house. So to compensate I do all the laundry, including ironing before someone mentions it, and all the washing of dishes."

"But even at work, this doesn't seem to be understood as possible. I complained my washing machine had broken and the comment was 'Oh no, what's wife's name going to do?'"

"To which the answer was 'Wonder why I haven't done the washing this week.'"

"But it's infuriating."

– RelativeStranger

Justice Is Bought

"The American justice system. You can afford the best and many more lawyers when you have money."

– TooAfraidToAsk814

"Justice is blind, but the b*tch sure can smell money."

– burgher89

Worship

"I am supposed to respect people's religion, but people aren't supposed to respect my non-religion."

"Particularly when their religion instructs them to not respect my non-religion."

– GeebusNZ

"It kinda makes my head spin that there are people who I get along well with who, per their religion, think I deserve to be tortured in agony for all eternity."

Daztur

Yup, me and my non-religious self have personal experience with that last one!