Feast of Fun

Author Phil Tiemeyer with his book Plane Queer

Of all the jobs gay men love to do, being a flight attendant is probably one of the hardest.

Although everyone thinks they’re just passing out snacks, waving at people as the get off the plane and traveling to exciting destinations, but the reality is that flight attendants are exposed to crazy passengers, terrorist threats, cosmic radiation and so many infectious diseases that the CDC has a special division dedicated to keeping an eye on their job alone.

So why are there so many gay male flight attendants? Today we’re joined by historian Phil Tiemeyer whose new book Plane Queer: Labor, Sexuality, and AIDS in the History of Male Flight Attendants chronicles the fabulous history of men who fly the friendly skies.

In Air New Zeland’s Pre-Flight Safety video a male airline attendant asks a hot rugby player for a peck on the cheek.

How the airlines industry was forced early on to become an equal opportunity employer.

The truth behind Gaëtan Dugas, the Canadian flight attendant who became known as the notorious patient zero for AIDS.

Why airlines pre-flight safety information has turned into a form of entertainment. Check out this Richard Simmons pre-flight saftey video and keep in mind that everyone had to watch this.

Learning how to kick butt after September 11.

And Steven Slater, the Jet Blue flight attendant who quit his job by grabbing two beers and exiting the plane by deploying the evacuation slide.

Featured Book:
Phil Tiemeyer – Plane Queer: Labor, Sexuality, and AIDS in the History of Male Flight Attendants: Amazon

Originally posted on 04.11.13