The Flattering Flight Attendant Code Word You'd Be Happy To Hear

When you work with the public in any capacity, you need to know how to have fun. This is one reason why a lot of customer service industries have insider code words for clients — especially the problematic, self-entitled customers who seem to live to make everyone else miserable. For example, there are plenty of flight attendant code words, and what they really mean might surprise you. While you'll never want to be referred to as Philip, which derives from the acronym PILP, meaning "passenger I'd like to punch," if you're called Bob, then you're in luck.

Being labeled Bob during a flight can either mean "babe on board" or "best on board," both of which can be pretty darn complimentary. The first expression refers to passengers the flight attendants find attractive. "We always run back to the galley and let the rest of the crew know where the sexy passenger is sat, we will be extra nice to them and give them freebies," an anonymous flight attendant told HuffPost. "I can confirm phone numbers have definitely been written on napkins!"

But just because you overhear a flight attendant say the word "Bob" and you think it's for you, that in no way gives you permission to respond in a flirtatious manner. While some behaviors may be polite in theory, if you want to move from Bob to Philip real fast, all you need to do is start using nicknames, getting too chatty, and of course, thinking it's okay to touch a flight attendant. Being a Bob is a great thing and it's something you want to hang on to for the duration of your flight.

If Bob is being used as an acronym for "babe on board," that label has more to do with your genes than anything else. After all, not everyone can look like Pedro Pascal or Zendaya, as tragic as that fact may be. But if you're going for "best on board," you don't need perfect genes, but common sense, decency, respect for the flight attendants, and for what it's worth, a little treat can help.

Flight attendant Charity Moore shared on TikTok a list of "things that passengers do that make your flight attendants obsessed with you." While most of the items she mentioned revolved around basic common sense and following the rules, she also started the list with this item. "You bring us treats. We love goody bags. Anything like Starbucks gift cards, hand sanitizer, Chapstick, under-eye patches, little snacks," Moore said. "We can't get off [the plane], so it's just nice to have a little treat or know we're appreciated." Moore went on to explain that basic manners, following rules and seatbelt signs, being clear in your drink orders, and using your words, rather than touching, to get your flight attendant's attention, are all Bob behaviors.

Ultimately, it all comes down to self-awareness, as well as awareness and mindfulness of those around you — for both flight attendants and fellow passengers. Locate your seat, buckle up, pay attention, and don't do it because you're looking to score a free airline upgrade. Do it because you mean it and you realize flight attendants are there to make your flight more comfortable and keep you safe. If you can manage those things, you're totally a Bob.