Passengers may take an extra glance at the stunning flight attendants when boarding a plane. Similarly, flight attendants also engage in discussions about passengers, often using secret codes to exchange information behind the scenes. So, if you happen to overhear a flight attendant referring to you as “hot coffee,” you should feel flattered and share a chuckle.
During an interview with Yahoo News, flight attendant Emily Witkop mentioned that she neither confirms nor denies whether crew members discuss passengers. Former flight attendant Shawn Kathleen revealed some insider information about flight attendants gossiping about passengers. She stated, “You might hear remarks like ‘that guy is really handsome’ or ‘oh, she’s charming.'”
Witkop somewhat reluctantly confirmed this, recalling a time when flight attendants used the code phrase “hot coffee” among themselves. They would say things like, “There’s a ‘hot coffee’ in seat 3B!” signaling an exceptionally attractive passenger for others to take notice of.
In a recent clip shared by Travel + Leisure magazine, another flight attendant admitted that “hot coffee” refers to passengers with appealing looks.
Flight attendants have more than just this one code. If you hear a flight attendant mentioning your seat number followed by the name “Bob,” take it as a compliment. “Bob” stands for “best on board,” referring to a handsome or beautiful passenger.
However, if a flight attendant calls you “PILP” (Passenger I’d Like to Punch), it means you’ve done something to annoy them, and you may receive subpar service compared to others.
The abbreviation PILP originated from “Passenger I’d Like to Punch” but evolved over time to become a common male name. Apart from being dubbed “PILP,” poorly behaved passengers might also face some retaliation from flight attendants.
Kathleen mentioned to Yahoo News that they wouldn’t spit in a troublesome passenger’s drink, but that doesn’t mean they won’t seek some form of “revenge.”
One harmless tactic she mentioned was, “I would fill a cup with ice and then pour in soda or juice, amounting to only about two tablespoons!”
She amusingly labeled this custom beverage as “The ‘A**hole Special’ and believes other flight attendants would do the same.
If a passenger causes a disturbance or behaves inappropriately on a plane, flight attendants have various methods to address it, including the option to remove the passenger from the aircraft. However, they must first communicate with the captain. The captain usually considers the flight attendants’ input but retains the final decision-making authority.