Expert Opinion
AINsight: Titles Matter at 35,000 Feet
Titles are not about ego; they’re about clarity, accountability, and respect
Business aviation flight attendants
Titles matter. For example, the cabin safety attendant title equates to a trained safety expert responsible for every passenger onboard an aircraft. © Bombardier

I was flying somewhere over the Midwest when I felt my jaw tighten. The airline captain came over the PA and said, “I’m going to ask the ladies to please take their seats.” Later in the flight, he said it again!

I wasn’t upset because women were asked to sit down. Safety always comes first. What unsettled me was how two casual words diminished the professionalism of the trained safety experts responsible for every passenger on board.

Sheryl Barden
AIN Contributor
About the author

Sheryl Barden, CAM, is CEO of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running recruiting and HR consulting firm dedicated to business aviation. A recognized thought leader on workforce and leadership issues, she is an NBAA CAM Fellow, past member of NBAA’s board of directors and advisory council, and recipient of NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award for lifetime achievement and service to business aviation.

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