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Ask Dave & Luke: How to make flying more comfortable

June 29, 2012 @ 12:56 pm (Updated: 1:08 pm - 6/29/12 )

cedargrove

Luke has a trick he says will make flying much more comfortable. (AP Photo/file)

Geraldine in Bellevue writes:

RE: Airlines. About 5 years ago I was coming back from LA after major leg surgery. I was flying Southwest. The cabin attendant put my crutches over half way down the aisle even though I was clearly in pain. When I needed to go to the bathroom, the two attendants refused to get my crutches. I hung onto walls to get there. On the way back to my seat the attendant didn't want to carry a cup of coffee back to my seat so he tried to hand it to me. Upon debarkation again they refused to get my crutches. It was only the kindness of a passenger that brought them to me. I was last to debark. Hell can freeze over before I ever fly Southwest. I spent over 25 year flying for my company & have never been treated with such disdain as I was on Southwest.

This email brought up a trick Luke has learned about how to get the flight attendants on your side in flight.

"You know what you've got to do. I did this the other day flying home from Chicago. You buy the flight attendants chocolates. You hand them a box of chocolates as you're getting on and you're golden," says Burbank.

"Did you do that?" asks Dave, surprised.

"I've done it many times, me and the listeners to my fabulously popular podcast TBTL. Because we interviewed a flight attendant once and we asked her, so what can people to ingratiate themselves with you, the staff? She said, 'Bring on a box of chocolates," says Luke.

He says when you hand them the box of chocolates it makes their day, and if often results in some perks.

"It also gets you free food, free drinks," says Burbank.

"No. In economy?" asks Dave, in disbelief.

"Yeah," says Luke, who suggests you go for at least an 8-piece box of chocolates.

"It's easy to get. It never crossed my mind," says Dave.

"If you're a truly good person, unlike me, you'll just give it to them just to brighten their day," says Burbank.

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Comments (12)


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  • sghouse wrote...
    Oh great...
    June 29, 2012 12:35 pm
    ..now we have to bribe people to do their jobs? Don't encourage this, PLEASE.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Heyjonjohnson wrote...
    They do their jobs..
    June 29, 2012 1:16 pm
    This simple act of thoughtfulness simply assures that they will be more mindful when it comes to doing their job with you.. or ME rather..
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • sghouse wrote...
    and soon will become expected
    June 29, 2012 2:12 pm
    just as tipping has become.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • AJ O'Carrell wrote...
    @sghouse
    June 29, 2012 2:53 pm
    If I send you a box of box of chocolates will you quit posting here?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Luke Burbank - a true Victor Komarovsky of the skys.
    June 29, 2012 5:13 pm
    No matter the plight of anyone or everyone else, so long as Luke can beat the system. And, Luke, do you also make yourself useful to maybe get an unwarranted upgrade as well ?

    It's neither cute nor funny how airlines treat fliers these days. And and 'advantage' Luke curries likely works to another passenger's disadvantage. .. But you keep it up, Luke.

    Remember when flying was fun and enjoyable for everyone ? . Not just the axx kissers ?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    Coffee Tea or Me . . . .
    June 29, 2012 9:01 pm
    thats the airlines I fly.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ron prevost wrote...
    Uh, CH............Acid is NOT an airline.
    June 30, 2012 5:40 am
    Although these days, an enjoyable trip IS more likely on LSD.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • awbitf wrote...
    Is it just me
    June 29, 2012 10:28 pm
    or does poor Geraldine's story sound like a fish tale? Maybe one flight attendant blew her off and over 5 years it has morphed into this. Who knows what will happen in a few years, maybe the pilot will come out and slap her in her seat.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    That funny Ron . . . .
    June 30, 2012 6:13 am
    never touched that crap would not be here if I did. I was smoker / soon to be! - http://youtu.be/pPOKJikcYMk
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    Hmmmmmm?.........
    June 30, 2012 8:33 am
    Note to Geraldine:

    Why on Earth would you fly Southwest back home after flying all the way to LA to have major leg surgery? If you had the coin to seek out a specialist to have your leg operated on outside of your own state, you certainly can cough up $100.00 to $200.00 to upgrade your flight back home on another airline (possibly even a first class seat so that you have leg room for your leg that was operated on?) and make your 'excruciating' pain, less painful.

    Sorry.......ZERO sympathy for Geraldine. She should have gotten her brain operated on at the same time.

    Southwest has never had a reputation for spacious seating. It's only for those that think that saving $50.00 is somehow going to make their trip more enjoyable.....it doesn't.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • The Chuckster wrote...
    Great
    July 1, 2012 12:46 pm
    Give them fattening food so their fat behinds keep hitting me as they go up and down the aisle. Get them fat so they have health issues that Obama will pay for. I know, do your job instead of holding out for thousands of calories.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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