No drink service on flight

On March 18, 2017, I encountered a situation that exemplified the delicate balance we flight attendants must maintain between service and safety. During this particular flight, which lasted a mere 34 minutes, we faced an unexpected challenge.

As we ascended, the rear of the aircraft experienced slight turbulence. In this case, the turbulence wasn’t severe, but it was enough to make me reconsider conducting our usual service routine.

In the brief duration of our flight, just as the turbulence subsided and the aircraft stabilized, we began our descent. The timing was such that initiating our standard service procedure seemed impractical, if not unsafe. However, I wanted to ensure our passengers still had an opportunity to request refreshments. I asked the lead flight attendant, often referred to as the “#1” in aviation parlance, to make a short announcement. This announcement, known as the “short haul call for service” in the industry, informed passengers that they could still request drinks, and I was prepared to deliver these requests to their seats.

After the flight, the captain inquired about the absence of regular service. I explained the situation, emphasizing that the decision was made with passenger safety as the foremost consideration. This is a pretty common occurence if you don’t get your drink service.