The life of an air hostess always seems like the height of glamour.
With the chic uniform, globe-trotting adventures and waking up in stunningly exotic destinations – to many it’s perceived as a dream job. However, it’s not always smooth flying.
A TUI flight attendant known by her TikTok handle, @mrsmiva, gives a candid glimpse into her life at 35,000 feet with videos that range from insightful to wildly entertaining.
In one of her recent viral videos, Miva exposes why hassling cabin crew during their break is a big no-no. Typically, they’re trying to have a bite to eat.
To illustrate her point, Miva posted footage showing herself in the midst of eating while on break mid-flight. When interrupted by a passenger inquiring about the toilets, she found herself unable to speak as she had a full mouth.
Resorting to gestures, Miva pointed and nodded to assist the passenger, acknowledging that these awkward interactions are likely to remain a staple of the job. Sometimes people just can’t catch a break.
Since the video went live, it swiftly raked in more than 32,000 likes, and several people commented too. Fellow flight attendants chipped in with similar tales.
One user sarcastically wrote: “My favourite is when they hand me trash… while I’m eating.” Another shared: “Or when they see you eating and say ‘hmmm, that smells good’ all up in your face.”
A third chimed in with: “Yup, and my favourite is people wanting to chat for 20 minutes. Also when they ask me if they can get the same as I was eating from the crew meals.”
Adding to the conversation, a fourth shared: “Some guy handed me his airsick bag while I was eating.”
When it comes to how often cabin crew members get to take their lunch breaks, its all rather dependent on the length of their duty period, and the specific policies set by the airline they’re employed with. Typically, those on short-haul flights enjoy more structured hours.
It’s a common practice among many cabin crew to follow whats known as the “pairing system” for shifts. This sees them teamed up to cover a set of flights thats both the outbound and return journeys which can last anywhere from one day up to five.
Featuring a blend of night shifts, demanding early starts and weekend work, these pairings dictate the rhythm of their working lives.