15 things everyone gets wrong about working for an airline, according to flight attendants and gate agents who do

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September 17, 2017 3:13 PM

Fight attendants, gate agents, ticket agents, and other airport customer service reps weigh in on some of the most common misconceptions out there.

When it comes an airline worker's job, perception rarely matches reality.

As Annette Long, a flight attendant with 13 years of experience, previously told Business Insider, people often think there's glamour associated with her job. "But the job itself is far from glamorous," she said. "Even if you're working in first class or business class, it's not glamorous at all."

Long said that many passengers often get the wrong idea of what airline workers do for a living.

To set the record straight, Business Insider asked more than 80 airline workers including flight attendants, gate agents, ticket agents, and other airport customer service reps to weigh in on some of the most common misconceptions out there.

We've anonymously included some of their answers here:

Flight attendants party all the time

Putting bags in overhead bins for passengers is part of a flight attendant's job

"Our companies don't cover our injuries if we get hurt lifting your bags."

Any trained monkey can do this job

Airline workers get to fly for free wherever and whenever they want

Flight attendants are unintelligent and uneducated

When gate agents are standing at the computer they’re not doing anything

Flight attendants are always surrounded by people

Airline workers can give out free upgrades

There are no straight male flight attendants

There are backup planes idling on standby in case of flight cancellations

It’s easy to become a flight attendant

"The reality is that we are highly training to get you off of the plane in an emergency. We spend 12-hour days, six days a week, for several weeks to ensure we are qualified to take care of you in a medical emergency or a flight emergency, all the while serving you and making sure you're happy."

Being a jerk will get you what you want

Flight attendants are glorified waitresses

Airlines can control the weather

Flight attendants sleep around

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