# Yo, Flight Attendants! What's your problem with providing fucking CHANGE? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 19, 2003, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051 "2003-12-19T21:01:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/81 "2003-12-22T21:19:46Z")
> [@](#): > > I’m a pilot, Dooku. If you’re on my airplane I have a truly amazing amount of say in your life for the duration of the trip. I actually didn’t know that. (I thought your screen name was a reference to being wiccan or something). > [@](#): > > On the other hand, people like you make me grateful I don’t fly for the airlines. People like me? The guy that wants three drinks during a 5 hour flight and gets berated over the PA system by the FA because he doesn’t have a wad of ones on him? > [@](#): > > If you find drinking more important than traveling it might be cheaper and less hassle for you to hang out at a bar. I hate flying. If I could avoid it, believe me I would. It’s got nothing to do with importance, it’s got to do with being the only way I can relax on board. I’d wager the FAs would rather have me relaxed with a few drinks in me than freaking out the whole flight. > [@](#): > > Would it be nice if the airlines saw fit to make change for drink purchases? Yes, it would. Are they going to? I doubt it. Deal with it, just as you deal with security lines, crying babies, crowded cabins, and the guy sitting next to you who’s eaten waaaaaaay too much garlic this week. We’re in agreement. I’m dealing with it by ranting about it. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/82 "2003-12-22T22:17:19Z")
Well, I’m going to be traveling in just 15 days, and I’m going to get some valium from my boyfriend’s mom. They’re cheap, they work well, they don’t have any unnecessary calories, and I don’t have to wait on the FA to bring them to me and then have to have “exact change”. I think most docs will also dispense a small dose (one or two pills) for nervous fliers upon request. ---
**Author:** ![rexnervous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@rexnervous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rexnervous)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/83 "2003-12-22T23:56:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Chefguy \* > \*\*Personally, my life has been saved many times by the seatbelt instructions. If they hadn’t told me that the damn thing doesn’t operate like my car’s seat belt, I’d be a skeletal remains traveling forever on flight 203. \*\* This brought a smile to my face. When I lived in Bend, OR, and took the puddle-jumper to Portland, OR, I sometimes got the Flight Attendant who, during the safety instructions, used to say… “And for those of you who haven’t been in a car since 1960, this is how you operate the seat belt” ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/84 "2003-12-23T00:00:03Z")
I believe it’s Eddie Izzard, but apologies if I’m wrong…shooting down a heckler: “You’re someone who _watches_ the seatbelt demonstration on a plane” ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/85 "2003-12-23T02:00:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by Broomstick_ > > I’m a pilot, Dooku. If you’re on my airplane I have a truly amazing amount of say in your life for the duration of the trip. > > I actually didn’t know that. (I thought your screen name was a reference to being wiccan or something). That, too. _Some_ witches really do fly 😉 > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by Broomstick_ > > On the other hand, people like you make me grateful I don’t fly for the airlines. > > People like me? The guy that wants three drinks during a 5 hour flight and gets berated over the PA system by the FA because he doesn’t have a wad of ones on him? Well, yeah - I don’t like taking on passengers who don’t like to fly. They’re miserable. I’m miserable. Really, it’s a no-win situation and I aim for minimizing the pain all around. Also - berating you over the PA _is_ over the top. Still, I’d suggest a roll of 10 ones if you want three drinks on a flight. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > I hate flying. If I could avoid it, believe me I would. It’s got nothing to do with importance, it’s got to do with being the only way I can relax on board. I’d wager the FAs would rather have me relaxed with a few drinks in me than freaking out the whole flight. Well, yeah, as long as you’re not an obnoxious drunk. But no use beating up on the FA’s for policies they have no control over. If there are three categories of people you shouldn’t delibrately piss off it’s nurses, secretaries, and FA’s. Not because they’re rich and powerful, but because they are frequently in a position to make your life difficult if you make enemies of them. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dooku \* > > > [@](#): > > > > _Originally posted by Broomstick_Would it be nice if the airlines saw fit to make change for drink purchases? Yes, it would. Are they going to? I doubt it. Deal with it, just as you deal with security lines, crying babies, crowded cabins, and the guy sitting next to you who’s eaten waaaaaaay too much garlic this week. > > We’re in agreement. I’m dealing with it by ranting about it. Alright. That’s cool and completely understandable. That’s what the Pit is for. ---
**Author:** ![Morbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morbo/32/389_2.png) [@Morbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morbo)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2003, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/86 "2003-12-23T05:04:52Z")
Not an obnoxious drunk. Well, practically never. Well, certainly not after three drinks. 🙂 Sorry about my snitty first reply post to you - a little uncalled for, in retrospect. ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/87 "2003-12-31T04:28:47Z")
It does seem a little unreasonable that airlines wont offer change on any purchases, I mean if they can do it on European flights(and maybe elsewhere) then why cant they do it on american flights? Maybe the reason for flights over here having change is because they offer duty and tax free products and so probably deal with bigger sales. Before the Euro came into practise as well it was possible to pay with either the currency of your destination or of your departure, and change was usually given in whatever you handed in. Regarding the issue of better food once you pay for it, oh if only! In Ireland there is a low fares Airline: Ryan Air, goes to most major destinations. I used it to get a flight to London in October, bought a sandwich on the return journey, it cost €6.50, the same sandwich in the supermarket I work at is €2.35. Nice mark up for a measly sandwich! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/88 "2003-12-31T05:51:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Broomstick \* > \*\*Try this concept: the _main purpose_ of an airline is to deliver self-loading cargo from point A to point B physically intact. That’s their primary business, not selling booze or fluffing pillows or providing eye-candy to immature male featherless bipeds. \*\* The _main purpose_ of a movie theatre is to show films, yet they can make correct change when you buy popcorn. The _main purpose_ of a professional sports venue is to provide patrons seats from which to watch sports, yet they can provide change if you buy a beer. The _main purpose_ of the Hoover Dam is to dam the Colorado River, and yet they make change at the souvenir store. Hundreds and hundreds of businesses sell food, drink and sundries only as a sideline, and yet almost ALL of them can make change. Why is an airline exempt from an expectation that pretty much every other business seems able to meet? I’ll grant it may not be the FA’s fault, but it’s a perfectly reasonable expectation and I’ll be damned if I know why anyone should be treated like vermin for expecting change. > [@](#): > > I’m not sure how you think that - although judging from most of your post I’m not too sure you think much at all. The original flight attendants in the U.S. were required to hold R.N. degrees, among other talents. Cite, please? Just how long ago was this? ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/89 "2003-12-31T07:58:52Z")
Ask and ye shall [Receive](http://www.united.com/page/article/0,1360,3211,00.html) > [@](#): > > aviation industry in 1930. A registered nurse who had taken flying lessons, Church approached Steve Stimpson of Boeing Air Transport seeking an airline job, possibly as a pilot. Instead Stimpson and Church created a stewardessing occupation for \*\*registered nurses. \*\* Bolding mine of course. Now back to the OP. How much change would you have the Fa’s carry? $50 bucks? Three guys with 20s and you are hosed. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 31, 2003, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051/90 "2003-12-31T08:01:39Z")
Shit, when I cut and pasted I lost the first two lines, let’s try that again. > [@](#): > > The position of flight attendant remained largely undefined until Ellen Church entered the aviation industry in 1930. A registered nurse who had taken flying lessons, Church approached Steve Stimpson of Boeing Air Transport seeking an airline job, possibly as a pilot. Instead Stimpson and Church created a stewardessing occupation for **registered nurses.** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yo-flight-attendants-whats-your-problem-with-providing-fucking-change/220051.md?page=4)