Read the book! :)

For the past 13 years Frank Steward has worked as a flight attendant for a major US Airline. In which he has written of his adventures, helpful advice for passengers and crew, the flight shortcomings and humorous oddities involved with airline travel. He spares no punches and is indeed a frank steward!

Understand one thing, “special meal” doesn’t mean special person or special attention. Going on vacation or to a business meeting is not the best time to plan a diet. When you reserve your ticket you may decide to order a low-fat meal and make a good start on the trip. You get on the plane three weeks later; you’re handed a menu and think that the Chicken Kiev sounds great. Right? You forgot one thing--your low-fat special meal. So instead of Chicken Kiev, you get a bland piece of warm dried out chicken breast with some rice cakes and a carton of skimmed milk. Yummy!

Don’t get me wrong--I do believe that there is a sincere need for special meals, although I don’t think the general passenger understands its intent. If you don’t really require one, don’t order one. Honestly they are generally not as good as the ordinary selection (As hard as that may be to believe). Otherwise confirm your special meal 48 hours in advance, hope for the best and bring your own for back up purposes.

Uh, let’s see. A fatal accident would make me dead now, wouldn’t it? I think the term you are looking for is near fatal incidents. I have been in a couple of close calls but some of my friends haven’t been as lucky. I overcome any fear of flying I have by concentrating on the amount of close calls I have on the roadway as opposed to the air. Remember flying is the safest mode of transport second only to the elevator and escalator.

Alas, I agree with you 100%! Not just with the children of airline employees, but all infants. I have been in many debates about this with mothers, fellow workers and passengers. I believe it should be a First Class law. Some airlines already have those regulations but not any American carriers that I know of. Maybe they are fearful of offending somebody. Well, by not enforcing rules such as these they are offending everyone else in the cabin. Airlines need those passengers willing to pay a higher price but are usually oblivious to their common gripes. Businessmen, upper class travelers, write to your airlines and demand it. They will eventually listen to you if you threaten your loyalty.

You feel turbulence. The seatbelt sign is illuminated. The pilot makes an announcement and the flight attendants make a physical check. That is three warnings and I feel that is sufficient. Unfortunately, with all the lawsuits that generate from this subject the airlines don’t. Nobody enjoys delaying a necessary bodily function, especially when the pilots forget to turn the seatbelt sign off, but if you had seen your co-worker break her neck on the ceiling panel like I did, you would reconsider that bathroom stop. Some flight attendants do seem to enjoy yelling at you but most are just concerned for your safety.

Good question. It used to be that complimentary headsets were only on International flying. Now there are a couple of airlines that have complimentary headsets on domestic flights as well. The idea of charging was that when they show a movie onboard you have a choice to pay and see the movie. If you have seen it already or don’t wish to than don’t buy a headset. Now the complimentary headset is being factored into your ticket price and you have no choice. So you’re paying for it. Doesn’t sound very complimentary to me.

THE PLANE TRUTH: Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet is out now in bookstore and on Amazon.com but available for purchase on this website autographed and for much less. Spread the word and Be Frank!