Wrong facts fly on fourth hour of "Today."

A lot of people don't know that I had a dream of working in the communication field before I landed (no pun intended) in the job that I'm in now, as a Flight Attendant. Before I gave up my job search in the communication field I applied for everything from production assistant to coffee runner, but I think I missed my calling as a fact checker... and now, a "Travel Expert."

The video clip below is from the mecca of television news (in my opinion) the "Today Show." In the segment taped for the fourth hour with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb on Friday, which is more like a talk show than a news show (and usually entertaining), they spoke about the airline industry. My interest was instantly peeked anticipating the co-hosts opinions on the topic. The problem? Well, take a look first.

Let's dissect this segment, piece by piece because in only one minute and thirty eight seconds so many things went wrong.

First, the segment starts with Hoda mis-pronouncing the name of the airline as "Rain Air Airlines" when the name is "RyanAir." Kathie Lee gets the name right in a later segment, but I'll admit made me smirk a bit, and I continued to watch.

They continue to discuss the news that Ryanair is considering placing vertical seats onto its aircraft and cutting the fares down to $6-7. Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer that supplies Ryanair with their current 737 fleet, has already said that standing or 'vertical' seats is not something they're looking into. In a BBC News article Nick West, a Boeing Spokesman, was quoted as saying: "We are not considering standing-only accommodations, nor do we have any plans to do so."

Right after Hoda explains the vertical seat idea and the fare structure, Kathie Lee asks "You go to Europe on that?" and Hoda responds with "No, I think it's just to go to Chicago from here [New York]." What?! Are you serious? Let's remember that Ryanair is not something "new" like the co-hosts seem to believe. Ryanair is an Irish low-cost carrier that was founded in 1985 that has a route network inter-Europe and currently does not fly to the United States, not even Chicago.

Next we find Hoda explain that the seats may not be safe because "if the plane starts to bounce you're supposed to put your head between your legs." As a flight attendant, Hoda, I've never seen a passenger put their heads between their legs during turbulence, nor have flight attendants ever instructed passengers to do so. What you're referencing is the "brace position" that we instruct passengers to assume in the event of an emergency landing. Yes, assuming the brace position in a vertical seat is an issue that may end up deterring this idea indefinitely, but getting in the brace position is not an everyday occurrence.

"Eight bucks to go to Florida. Eight Bucks and you're in Florida. All you have to do is stand for four hours," Hoda said after Kathie explained that she didn't want to be packed in like meat or "hot dogs." Hoda, from New York to Florida-- let's say Miami, is at most 3 hours. Though, I understand the point you were trying to make. Would someone pay $8 and forfeit a seat to go on a cheap vacation?

I think so, I think people would welcome the option (if it was deemed safe and an aircraft manufacturer would actually produce it). However, as a flight attendant I think this would create a very awkward situation for us and the passengers. First, there would be less room for us to do our work.. as it is now the aisles are crowded with bathroom lines and those stretching their legs. Additionally, if a passenger who purchased a "standing seat" sat on the floor during the flight, would we charge them? How would American's react to that? I'm sure the Civil Rights Union would be all over this if an American airline even considered it. Not to mention, like Kathie said, Ryanair even makes their passengers pay for the restroom. Would passengers holding a "standing seat" reservation have to pay extra to use the bathroom because you may "sit down when you go there?"

Anyway, I wrote this because watching this segment made me cover my eyes in disbelief. As a Communication enthusiast turned airline geek and Flight Attendant I think I should be hired by the 4th hour of 'Today' to be a "travel expert." It seems anyone can be deemed an 'expert' now-a-days and with as much as I travel I'd make a perfect fit. I further promise to do my homework and ensure the facts are right before air. Come on! No major television show has a resident flight attendant on staff to talk about news like this and answer passenger questions. You can consider my appearances on the Flight Attendant podcast "The Crew Lounge" as my audition tapes.

What do you say?

 Photo Credit: Jon Gos