Ancient Observer

I think you've got me wrong. It's not just cabin crew. The 'I pay your wages' remark is a horrible thing to say to anyone, regardless of their profession. You have to look at what is behind the remark. It is usually said by a customer who wants to get their own way and feels the only way to do this is to belittle the company representative who is probably just doing their job. This could be in the terminal, in-flight, at Sainsburys, at a hotel reception, at the bank, etc.

More often that not, the remark is spat by the type of customer who has little 'power' in their own lives and is enjoying having some kind of power over another. Put it this way, no one has ever said it to me in FIRST but I copped it a lot back in my charter days on the Saturday morning PMI.

Just drifting a bit, we often get same but as the implied complaint about the cost of electricity "Well we pay you enough in our electricity bills"
Though in our case it is usually through ignorance of how the electricity industry works in my part of the UK.
The usual answer I give is to point out that my employer has never sent an electricity bill to anyone! All we do is deliver it to their house/buisness, gets some interesting results!

Interesting point about "I pay your "wages"

I grew up in the 1960s/early 70s and do not recall anyone ever saying such things, it would have been considered rude.

On the other hand, people in service jobs tended to show more respect and courtesy to the customers, than is often the case these days, in the UK.

Two Scotches? You want two? Don't you know there's a recession on? :eek:

This bit, (Below), I understand fully. If the comment is about belittling someone, then it is out of order.

Having seen some of the folk that FA/CC put up with, that bit I understand.

What I do object to is the idea that prevails on some flights that the customers are only there to get in the way of CC doing their job. That attitude can be easily caused by poor leadership.

"The problem is, when used in the context of a commercial airline flight, such a comment by one individual passenger to one individual crew member, is invariably intended to belittle that crew member. And in that context, it is also incorrect."

Think I've met you.

In my recent experience, BA cabin crew are more than happy to give more than one alcoholic drink at a time if the passenger requests it, and they show no sign of reluctance or resentment at doing so. Though I guess that the fact that we passengers have generally paid around £200 for a 40-minute flight (in economy) makes it less of an issue than on a flight where most passengers have paid a rock-bottom fare.

Not sure about that, pays $ 112.00 for 5,000 or 10,000 mile trip. Flashes ID card.

Sometimes in Observer's seat.

I pay your wages
 

In a similar vein, whilst working at 'the most prestigious girls' day school', (their description) I asked a young lady to remove here feet from the furniture. Here response was, 'Why? My parents pay your wages.', to which I replied,' Yes, they do, and I am here to protect that investment. Now please take your feet from the furniture!' And, by God, she did!!

I'm sorry, Rusland, but in this time of severe credit crunching, by the time I've deducted my wages from your £200.00, you only have enough credit left for one scotch and two ginger ales....only I think we took the ginger ale off...or did we, in fact, put it back on....but then again, that might have been the apple juice....? :confused:

Anyway, as I was saying, you only have enough credit for one scotch and two glasses of water! ;)

Everybody's wages are paid by somebody.

As for the whisky, don't mind who pays for mine:E

But at a typical load of 30-40 people, and just two cabin crew, that's a lot of cash left over for scotch and ginger ales...

I don't really think it is necessary to serve refreshments of any sort on a flight that lasts under 40 minutes - I sometimes spend longer than that on the bus to work, and no-one comes round offering us G&Ts, sandwiches and Blue Riband bars.

Ah, the advantages of working from home ... are exactly the same disadvantages.The kitchen, the kettle and a packet of biscuits is all too close to hand at any moment of the working day. :=