Flight attendants are urging airline passengers to stop touching crew members to get their attention, highlighting a widespread workplace boundary issue across the commercial aviation industry. According to veteran flight attendants Michelle Montez, Joshua Boyd, and Darion Foy speaking on their Jumpseat Chronicles Podcast and in subsequent interviews with The Washington Post, physical contact from travelers is a frequent and unwelcome daily occurrence.
Why Flight Attendants Want Passengers to Stop Touching Them
Poking, prodding, and tapping on the arms or shoulders happen so often that flight attendants deal with it on nearly every flight, according to Boyd. In some instances, travelers go as far as poking crew members in the rear, Foy stated. Montez noted that physical intrusions are so common that it is a rare occurrence when a flight doesn’t feature at least one passenger crossing physical boundaries. To combat the issue, some aviation workers have started wearing explicit patches, lanyards, or aprons advising travelers not to touch them, The Washington Post reported.
Proper Alternatives for Passenger Communication
Rather than using physical contact to request a beverage, a pair of headphones, or other assistance, crew members advise travelers to rely on standard communication channels. Boyd explicitly reminded passengers to use their hands to press the overhead call light, or to politely ask for help by using their voice. When addressing passengers who cross the line, Boyd sometimes responds light-heartedly by acknowledging their desire for attention while firmly establishing that physical contact is unnecessary to hear a sweet voice.
Industry-Wide Scope of the Boundary Issue
The behavior is not limited to a single carrier or specific flight routes. Foy emphasized that the problem spans the entire commercial aviation sector, noting that speaking with flight attendants from any airline will confirm that unwanted touching is an intense, universal frustration for cabin crews. Crew members stress that basic professional courtesy and reliance on the aircraft call button remain the appropriate standards for passenger interaction.
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