While in flight, you might overhear your cabin crew using peculiar code words—some of which might be referring to a challenging passenger.
A flight attendant has disclosed the secret phrases used by cabin crew to communicate discreetly while on a flight.
Similar to the secret codes used by Disney employees or cruise line staff, flight crews require a means to convey messages without attracting the attention of passengers.
In a discussion with the Express, a British flight attendant explained that when a passenger is causing difficulties for the crew, a specific phrase is used to alert other staff members.
The flight attendant stated: “There’s a lot of things and icks from passengers that we can overlook but if we say the word ‘precious’ it generally means that they’re acting like an a****.”
Once labeled as ‘precious,’ this passenger is considered troublesome by the crew, which might influence their subsequent interactions.
This is just one of the many code words reportedly used by flight attendants to discreetly refer to passengers.
According to travel magazine Far & Wide, the term ‘hot coffee’ is used by flight attendants to refer to particularly attractive passengers, making it a more favorable label than ‘precious’.
A term to avoid being associated with is ‘coach roach,’ used for individuals who attempt to sneak into a higher class without paying for an upgrade, or ‘gate lice,’ for passengers who crowd the gate before their boarding group is called.
Another term to stay clear of is being referred to as ‘Philip’.
“If you’re labeled a ‘Philip’ then you’ve done something wrong and should probably expect to get bad service for the rest of the flight,” an anonymous attendant explained to The Sun. “That name originated from the term PILP – Passenger I’d Like to Punch – but has changed over time to become slightly more subtle.”
So, how does one earn the label ‘precious’ or ‘Philip’, or worse, a ‘precious Philip’?
The attendant mentioned to The Sun that it could be due to various factors, such as frequently pressing the call button or generally being unpleasant.
It may also involve recording interactions with the flight crew and posting them on social media, or even complaining about a crying baby.
The crew member suggests bringing ear plugs or headphones to block out noise, or offering assistance to the parent rather than complaining.
Personally, I would be embarrassed to be labeled as ‘precious’ or ‘Philip’ on any flight.