Man slammed by flight attendant for using call button for ‘non-emergency’ – but people are saying the same thing
A MAN found himself on the receiving end of a flight attendant's anger, simply for asking for a drink of water.
The passenger drew the ire of the cabin crew member when he rang the call button during his flight, instead of waiting for the drinks service to come around.
The man said he had been patient to begin with, but when no drinks were offered, he decided to take matters into his own hands, as he needed some water to help him take some medicine.
However, the flight attendant was annoyed by him pressing the button and told him that he should only do it in emergencies.
In , he wrote: "I had a major surgery in 2021, a Whipple surgery, which took half my pancreas and several other digestive bits and pieces.
"Because of that I must take digestive enzyme pills before eating.
Read More on flights
"We were in the air for a while before I had my bagel delivered. I waited for a bit because I figured drink service would begin shortly after. And waited. And waited. 30 minutes.
"I am NOT usually this person but I pushed the call button. A couple minutes went by and an FA came up and asked me if it was an emergency. I said, 'no but I have to take this medicine before I eat. Could I possibly have some water?'
"Her response was, “Oh, so you’re not having an emergency. We will be starting drink service in just a couple minutes'.
"Her demeanour and tone of her response made me feel like an idiot. No, I wasn’t having a heart attack but I did have a medical reason for asking."
Most read in News Travel
He asked if he was in the wrong, saying he knew the button was for emergencies but thought it could be used "for other requests".
However, other people were on his side and said the flight attendant was definitely in the wrong in this situation.
One wrote: "The button is NOT for emergencies. Nor should it be used foolishly. Your request was completely within the acceptable boundaries for calling the FA. She was wrong."
Another said: "That's what the button is there for. The FA was just being snarky and lazy."
A third added: "It’s crazy to me that the FA gave you any sass at all once you said you needed to take medication, they don’t know what kind it is or what happens if you don’t take it. Absolutely ridiculous."
There are some passengers who do use the call button too much however.
Kat Kamalani, who has gained popularity on social media sharing secrets of being part of the flight crew, explained why pressing the call button should be avoided, if possible.
In a video she said: "So from the tarmac - if you hit this and it's not some kind of emergency, we are straight going back to our seat.
"Don't hit this button if you need a barf bag, or a blanket, or water, headphones or food - any of that stuff. Because your flight attendant won't be so happy."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Meanwhile, these are some other etiquette rules passengers should follow when flying.
And these are some key items passengers should never bring on planes.
