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I have been working for the airline industry for the past 22 years and worked for airlines as well as IATA, the international air transport association. As a seasoned traveller I was always bemused of the seasoned cabin crew member, telling you when to wear a seatbelt or bringing you food when they like, not when you like. Now, after we successfully mastered ticketless travel, we should seriously consider crewless flying.  What on earth is so different to be in a bus or in an airbus? Does a bus need a bus crew?

But what about security?  Here are some answers:

When serious turbulences occur, the steward/ess is buckled up. When there is a health issue: “is there a doctor on board?” IMy car handles the fasten seatbelt warning without a human safety expert shouting at me, the phones can be more effectively jammed electronically and the invention of auto reclining seats is already made. Finally, bus accidents are far more often than airplane incidents and the death toll of “cabin crew members dying versus passengers saved due to cabin crew present” is not really in favor to keep them on board.

So what do I need the crew member for? Are they risking their lives to provide passenger required services?

The surprising answer is: they are on board because we have regulations like we had for paper tickets. They are needed to bring me food when I do not necessarily need it and must walk on my behalf when I call him/her for a glass of water. They can also sell things from vending machines, close the overhead baggage lockers, and hand out blankets or make announcements.

Why don’t airlines put an end to this? First class passengers can bring personal butlers on board, who can sit where the crew used to sit.  The business class gets a mini-bar in it’s seat and owns the key to it and the economy guest pulls drinks and food from vending machines, who now fit since the trolleys, galley and cabin crew is outside the plane… Passengers can stroll around and fetch something from the vending spot for their neighbor, the airline is up selling real food liked and paid for and tickets get a lot cheaper.  To make flying safe, have one or two air marshals on board who can intervene in case of troublemakers. Just like in a train. One conductor for a normal train of 300 passengers suffices to restore order and keep the peace.

Dr. Winfried Boeing

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