Flight attendant reveals the REAL reason why cabin crew won’t stow your carry-on luggage
If you've recently taken a flight, you've probably noticed that the flight attendants rarely offer to store your bag in the overhead compartment. Through a TikTok video, a flight attendant disclosed the real reasons why the cabin crew won't store passengers' carry-on luggage, and viewers are taken by surprise.
Cierra Mistt, a flight attendant, claims that no one on the crew is paid as passengers board. "We actually don't start to get paid until the moment that airplane door shuts and the handbrake gets lifted," Mistt said in a now-viral TikTok. "On top of that, if it's because you're having trouble lifting it, you can easily get your packed [luggage] checked at the gate for free."
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Tons of people have been stunned by Mistt's video, which has received nearly 1 million views. "I don't want to check my bag because the airline always lose it. I don't usually ask for help, but really didn't know it would ruin someones day," one person commented while another person stated that it wasn't a big problem and wrote, "tbh the first thing makes me feel bad ab asking them. I thought y'all were there for assistance and it wasn't a big deal-"
Another person who condemned her commented, "That first ones a you problem. I've been on so many airlines and even when I insist that I do it, crew still try and at least help." One person was furious over this revelation wrote, "So your telling me if an elderly person asks you if you can put there bag on the over head your gonna say should’ve checked in at the gate." Another questioned her work wrote, "then why u there if u not gonna help put my bag up there."
Despite the fact that each airline has its own set of policies, Matador Network, a travel company, reports that some airlines forbid flight attendants from picking up passengers' luggage. Jamela Hardwick, a flight attendant, explained to the Insider why she won't assist passengers with their luggage. She clarified that the issue is not just one of income; if they are hurt while performing the act, they are not insured. "We do not get paid until the boarding door is closed. If we get hurt while putting that bag in the overhead bin, we do not get to write it off as an on-job injury," Hardwick said.
While it seems "crazy," Kat Kamalani, a flight attendant for more than six years, said it is true that it's not their responsibility to move luggage into the overhead compartments. She claimed in a TikTok that "a tonne of airlines tell (flight attendants) not to do this because there are so many injuries with it, so if we get injured, it’s not even covered."
Kamalani said that although the flight crew won't store your bags for you, they will gladly assist you if you ask for assistance while placing your luggage in the overhead bin. "Ask the flight attendant to assist you and they will totally help you put it up there," she said.