Actress Nur Fathia Latiff was traveling on board the MAS airlines earlier this week and she requested for the air stewardess’ assistance in stowing her luggage. The air stewardess reportedly informed her that she had a back ache and was unable to help her out.
Following this, Nur Fathia tweeted out several messages directed to the air stewardess.
I didnt c.o.m.m.a.n.d her to carry the bag. I was just asking her f.a.v.o.r to assist me to put the bag in the overhead compartment.
— Nur fathia latiff (@fatiyalatiff) December 4, 2016
She x have to be rude by raising her voice and making faces. It doesnt matter wherever u sit. Economy or business. Etiquette is etiquette.
— Nur fathia latiff (@fatiyalatiff) December 4, 2016
Interestingly, the netizens were in the air stewardess’ defense.
One Facebook user shared, “Do you think air stewardesses are there to carry your bags? You idiot.”
Another said, “She’s (Nur Fathia) just being a nuisance. If I were that stewardess, I would have done the same thing. If you think your bag is heavy, please put it in the cargo. If you think you can’t lift your bag because it is f*cking heavy, how do you expect the crew to lift yours? The crews aren’t mutant. The MAS training academy is not the Xavier Mutant School.”
One netizen noted, “Please follow the airline procedure even if you’re a well-known artiste. If you can’t carry your own luggage, please check in that luggage. This flight is not an express bus. Each airline has their own safety and security procedure. Would you like it if the aircraft encountered a thunderstorm and the overhead compartment opens and the bag falls on you? You would then complain that it is the airlines’ fault as well. This is the lazy mentality of Malaysians.”
Nur Fathia Latiff has since deleted her post but through prior screenshots, the actress who has starred in movies like Nur Kasih and Nasi Lemak 2.0, has stated that if the stewardess was experiencing a back ache, she should just get some rest and not work.
However, the flight crew is actually not obligated to stow luggages for passengers, as stated in the Going Places Malaysia Airlines’ On Board Magazine.
The magazine notes,
“Passenger and crew safety on board our flight is our highest priority. In complimance with the airlines’s policy and in observing Occupational, Safety and Health Regulations requirements, cabin crew are longer required to stow passenger’s hand luggage into to overhead stowage compartment
This is to minimise Occupational hazard and ergonomic risks faced by cabin crew in the aircraft. Cabin Crew on duty will, however, assist passengers with infants, young passengers travelling alone, the elderly and passengers with reduced mobility. Passengers who are fit and and in good health must carry, stow and secure their own hand luggages on board.
Hand carry exceeding the 7kg weight limit is required to be checked in before boarding.”
The fact of the matter is that it is not part of the air crew’s job description to stow luggages and as such, the air stewardess had every right to decline carrying Nur Fathia’s luggage, what more as she is experiencing back ache. So, what are your thoughts on the matter?
Feature Image Credit: Roti Kaya, Nur Fathia Latiff
