[finnie]

As a more frquent traveler than I care to be, I have found it necessary to make a point that shouldn't need to be made.

I have witnessed with increasing frequency some real abuse of airline personnel by my fellow passengers. Most particularly, flight attendants being subjected to verbal and sometimes physical abuse, for simply doing their jobs or following company guidelines.

We might keep in mind that flight attendants' jobs are safety-related. They are there primarily for OUR safety. Imagine a fire on the airplane, a medical emergency onboard, or the need for immediate evacuation (like on the Hudson River, for example); These are the professionals that are capable of saving lives. They are certified by the FAA, and have extensive annual training. Please do not treat them as waitresses or butlers. After all, waitresses cannot save your life in an airplane emergency.

In any case it shows poor character to treat others with ridicule, impatience, and rudeness.