I work as a train driver in the UK, as such have a responsibility for passengers, just a couple of feet off the ground, rather than the thousands of feet you all travel at. I am also a regular leisure traveller with Ryanair from STN.

The one I will always remember, will be from March 2005 on a flight from STN to ORK. A long story short, we had taken off from STN on time and was back on the ground in STN, within around 10 -15 minutes. Living in the local area and having flown often from STN, we turned much lower and harder after taking off from STN, I thought something was very different.

I had been sitting in the centre of the cabin and had noticed nothing adverse in the cabin, with the exception of the number 1 running down to the rear galley and returning to the front galley at the same speed.

Once on the ground, we were off-loaded normally through the stairs and were guided back into the lounge area.

Whilst waiting, in the lounge, where I was seated next to the crew, I observed, as I would describe in my job as a train driver, an irate passenger STOMPING his way across the lounge to where we were seated. I said there thinking... "here we go!"

The said passenger went into flying rage at being delayed for his meeting blah blah blah, to which the number 1 stood up and said in a cool and calm tone "I'm sorry sir, but there was an electrical burning smell coming from the forward galley and and even stronger electrical buring smell coming from the rear galley, so we came back to STN rather than falling out of the sky in a fireball."

Which was greeted by us all laughing and clapping at the number 1 and the passenger turning red, turning round and walking off with the tail between their legs. WHAT A STAR!

On the replacement plane that landed soon after, he even walked through the plane selling the goods from the "Duty-Free" cart, wiggling sunglasses over his eyes and offering sun-tan lotion for use on the "Costa del Cork", was funny to me as it was a very wet and cold March morning. Gave me a smile for the day.

Wrote a letter of thanks to Ryanair for the pilots and Cabin Crews actions throughout and received a letter of thanks back not only from Ryanair but from the number 1 also..... Only an hour late into Cork as well!

Maybe it was (as the number 1 stated on landing), "Thanks to out pilots Michael and Ralf Schumacher, for getting us here to Cork, just one hour behind schedule." He was a character and a VERY memorable member of crew on that flight. BRILLIANT.

Priceless!! :ok:

I can only echo my colleague's post.
When I am in uniform it is not unusual to get an upgrade. I don't expect it but it is always gratefully received.

While easyJet don't have business class, more often than not I'll get a crew cup of tea and some water. (Luton base).

I know what it's like to meet grumpy and surly pax, so I do try and be as pleasant as possible. A smile and a thank you costs nothing. :D