Flight attendants reveal the common passenger behaviour that drives them mad

A flight attendant said that “nothing burns my polyester uniform britches more” than when an impatient passenger presses the call button.

Let’s face it, flying can be a nightmare if you need a bit of help but you’re unsure on how to get it as flight attendants can be few and far between.

Whether you’re in need of a drink, snack or just need to ask an important question it can leave you wondering whether or not your fingers should just reach up and press the button above your seat to summon a member of the cabin crew.

But those who work on planes have warned that there is a time and a place for the call button - and when your belt is buckled to leave it well alone unless an emergency is unfolding.

Joyce Van Ocken, a flight attendant and Instagram influencer, said: “During this time, please only use the call button for real emergencies - not to ask for a pillow or a glass of Coke,” reports The Sun.

Jay Robert is an experienced cabin crew member and runs one of the largest airline networks on social media called A Fly Guy’s Cabin Crew Lounge. But he said it all depends on the culture of the airline.

He said: “I recall flights to India, a population infamous for their obsession with call bells, having [loads] of call requests; I’m talking like 75 before even taking off.”

The culture was very different with North American airlines, however, says Jay.

He added: “I call these airlines ‘self-service carriers’. The crew often expects you to come to them in the galley if you need something.”

Jay admits when a passenger pushes the call button during service - and he’s only within a few rows of them - it drives him mad.

He said: “Nothing burns my polyester uniform britches more than a passenger pressing the bell for a service request when they can see me a few rows ahead of them in the cabin, attending to everyone.

“There is usually one crew member for every 50 passengers, and 80 percent of them are hungry and thirsty. Be patient—or pay for an upgrade.”

But if there is a real emergency he urged to just keep on pressing saying “press the bell and keep pushing it until help arrives.”

Liam Walker, a cabin crew manager with Air New Zealand, says as long as it’s not during take off or landing, feel free to press, saying “it’s not only ‘in case of an emergency'.

He said: “Whether you need help navigating your in-flight entertainment, need help reclining your seat, or you simply just want more snacks, we’re more than happy to help.”