The Secret Meaning Behind Airline Crews' Unique Language

Google doesn’t even have a translator for this.

Flight attendants and airline crew have a language all their own. Don’t even try to learn it unless you are an aviation geek.

It’s like a secret code only much more sophisticated than pig Latin. For instance, you might be a BOB and not even know it. A BOB is a babe on board

Said one anonymous flight attendant: “We always run back to the galley and let the rest of the crew know where the sexy passenger is sitting; we will be extra nice to them and give them freebies. I can confirm phone numbers have definitely been written on napkins. … Airline crew love partying with their passengers, especially in Vegas. Numbers are always exchanged on a flight, so be brave and ask a flight attendant out because they may just say yes and know the best spots to go.” 

See? And you thought it was all about rudders and wing flaps.

Here are just a few of the more than 200 acronyms and words used in the secret language.

Background - A simple check run by the airline every five or 10 years to make sure what the flight crew said about education and other aspects is on the up and up.

Bids - A defined period of time in which flight crew can bid on a lucrative route. It’s not based on money, however. Seniority is usually the arbiter in this case.

Block Time - Also known as Hard Time. This is when the plane is blocked in at the gate before departure, so it doesn’t roll away. The same thing happens on the destination end.

B-Scale - Not where you want to be as a member of the flight crew. This is a blanket term for a secondary pay grade.

The cabin inside of a Southwest Airlines flight. (photo by Patrick Clarke)

CHAOS - An acronym for “Create Havoc Around Our System.” It is a phrase used by flight attendants when it comes to labor negotiations. Not nearly as glamorous as BOB.

Crash Pad - When multiple members of a flight crew share one apartment, sometimes as many as it doesn’t at a time, in a major city to hold down costs.

Deadhead - Any airline employee who, usually, takes an unoccupied seat to be transported to his or her next assignment.

Demo - The ubiquitous demonstration and instructions you get before every flight.

F/A - Flight attendant.

FFDO - Abbreviation for “Federal Flight Deck Officer.” Think of an air marshall whose task it is to defend the cockpit.

Lifeguard Flight - Involves the transportation of human organs.

LOD - Language of destination.

MEL - Abbreviation for “Minimum Equipment List.” 

Phase 4 - What a flight attendant calls home when his or her base is in one city.

Probation - Refers to the time, about a year, for an evaluation of new hires.

RON - Abbreviation for “Remain Overnight.” 

Showtime - When passengers begin to check in, and things get rolling.

Sterile Cockpit - The times when nobody, not even a flight attendant, can enter the cockpit. Unless there is a valid emergency.

The Terminator - An aircraft that makes its last flight of the day.

Tuff Cuffs - A restraining system used by flight attendants.

Unacc - Unaccompanied minor.

Van Time - The designated time when a crew is scheduled to meet in the hotel lobby. 

This is only a portion of the terminology used by the flight crew, but it should give you a good working start to have an idea of what they are talking about.

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