With ash delays, the word "patient" came to mind.

And, with low-cost the fashion, I thought of "shoppers."

Enough of that.

I don't find the term SLF objectionable and indeed find it rather humorous. As we have seen in these comments, the industry does not seek to offend passengers. It has a sense of humor.

More importantly, it is part of the culture of the airline industry. I think one respects other cultures. Part of respecting other cultures is to partake in aspects of other cultures that you normally would not, such as language. It is one way of making connections. No pun intended.

Self loading freight..Doesn't bother me really as long as they dont try to treat you like freight.
If i heard it from the mouth of a Cabin Crew i would feel justified in using my pet names for them, which of course i would not normally do to their face.
Professionalism and courtesy works both ways.

The term is quite funny. No objection at all.

Except in a Ryanair context, where the irony gets a bit lost.

I quite like it but its a bit old, need some new ones, how about,

"Lift Thief"

"1st floor Baggage"

Any more ?

In some countries I understand that we are referred to as:

"The cargo that talks back"

What a lot of fuss. I don't know where the phrase SLF came from, but in over 30+ years on the flight deck with a mixture from military and civilian background I have never heard the term SLF, until I read PPrune.
I don't think it is in common use, maybe this thread has made it appear more common than it actally is.
If it is a term used by cabin crew they have never used it in my earshot.
Pax, passengers is always used, in my experience.

Pax/PAX is easier to say.

SLF: so much for brevity being the soul of "endearing" wit. :bored:

I think that the term 'Self Loading Freight' originated in RAF Transport Command?

I don't mind it at all - and neither should the 'Trolley Tarts' mind that cheeky nickname either. And I do know where the term came from - as explained to me by a delightful ba TriStar #1 with whom I once enjoyed a memorable errm, 'encounter' in Bermuda many years ago. Such a delightful young lady.....:E

As an aviation professional I am disturbed by the use of the term. You are our customers, we would not have a job with out you and furthermore it represents weakness on our part to de-humanize the people we cater to just in order to justify our poor attitude and bitter outlook on our jobs.

Most of this seems to come from what some call "stewardesses" or "stewards". They hate the reference. Most of them have just about 0 further education so this does not surprise me. I have met many hard working wonderful flight attendants in my day who take their jobs seriously. I suppose flying cargo over PAX simplifies a pilots job (other than the hours).

Bottom line is publically disrespecting your customer base because the rapidly declining quality of an industry makes your job harder is no excuse to blow it off as a "term of endearment" within public view.

More like no sense of humour. :rolleyes:

We refer to our passengers as customers, until we get to the load sheet where they appear as PAX.

On board the aircraft we have a very irreverant attitude to each others' jobs/titles with the Suspension/Brake Test Dept being up the front and the Galley Slaves down the back. I've seen meal trays arrive in the front labelled "front left pop/front right pop" on them (POP being poncy, overpaid pilot) but all done with good grace and mutual respect. But the passengers are always Sir or Madam unless instructed otherwise by the person concerned (VVIP corporate/charter provider so very few customers on board and often the same ones week in week out)

Before training as a pilot I served a short service comission as an infantry officer and the RAF always referred to us as SLF, that was the military and we didn't care so long as they didn't get lost or crash. The regiment I was very proud to serve in had two types of officers according to the other ranks: there were Wodneys, officers thwoo and thwoo, and Wuperts, officers who had come up thwoo the w**ks!

As the daughter of a UAL retiree ( 50 years seniority now) and wife of a pilot, I had never heard the term SLF until joining Pprune. When i first saw it I thought hmm is that all we are? Then I wondered when this name was applied to PAX. I compared flying years ago to now and the name surely fits. PAX are trying to fit everything but the kitchen sink into carry on bags for convenience. This has been going on long before airlines started charging for 1st or 2nd bags. Now you see PAX bringing on 3 carry ons if they can get away with it and often do. Now we also bring on our own food, entertainment ( dvd players). Yep, we're definitely carrying on our own freight LOL. As for me though, i prefer the term PP. Paycheck Provider. Ohhh the old days of filet mignon dinners, real silverware and salt and pepper shakers. As my Dad says.. DAMN DE- REGULATION

I like your postings SassyPilotsWife, so it is with good humour that I point out that, one man's "DAMN DE- REGULATION" is another man's "Yee-ha! I get to travel by aeroplane"

Simplistic, I know as many, many things were changed by the deregulation and not all good. But that's good ol' humans for you. As soon as one bunch have made things the way they like them - the next generation will change them! Right now? Another generation is changing the game once more and, this time, many of the folks doing the changing are SLF. Now - that is a change!

I love the term
 

"SLF" cracks me up. Sometimes I ask when steerage class will be loading.

Every field has it's own terms that could cause umbrage to outsiders. Those who think that 'SLF' is insulting should stay well away from the inside conversations of cops (my brother has a lot of cop friends) and those of us in the medical field! Sometimes in medicine and law enforcement, if you don't laugh, you'll cry.

I agree, ACL1011, for the most part the members of the funeral trades are respectful - but they have jargon and stories and jokes. Just like everyone else.

A rose by any other name
 

I've heard the term from ex-RAF guys, was told it was coined for paratroopers. But 'lift thief' ?

In the Mil world....Tea Coffee or Me? a phrase coined frquently in (my time) the mil, usually by pylits that have forgotten they are just taxi drivers... and it is ALL just banter!
As is SLF, along with self loading baggage and a waist of oxygen/oxygen thief and a myriad of other phrases.

Wearing white gloves on SAR? Usual question, Ice creams? (doesn't apply to SH (that's support helis not short haul) they wear green gloves...

Favourite phrase's? deadweights, or un-useable fuel, (not in the commercial context though)!:=:ok: