The Power Behind the Uniform: How Authority Shapes Your Flight Experience.
Air travel is meant to be a gateway to adventure, connection, and freedom. But the skies don’t always feel so friendly for many travelers, especially those of us from underrepresented communities. Sometimes, it’s not turbulence or delays that disrupt a flight experience; it’s positional power—the invisible weight of authority worn in a uniform or carried in a title. As a former international flight attendant with over twenty years of experience, I’ve witnessed firsthand how positional power can elevate or ruin a travel experience. And for many EbonyTravelers, who often navigate the world through a lens of dual awareness—how we see ourselves and how others perceive us—recognizing this dynamic is not just helpful, it’s essential.
Positional power refers to the authority someone has based on their role or position rather than their character or behavior. In the context of flying, this includes:
Pilots and flight crew
Gate agents
Airport security and TSA
Supervisors or managers “on duty”
Even elite-status passengers who feel entitled
While many professionals are trained to treat passengers with dignity and fairness, others can misuse that power, consciously or unconsciously, creating experiences that feel discriminatory, dismissive, or downright degrading.
In travel, this abuse might look like a gate agent being overly strict about bag sizes—until someone else walks through with a larger bag unbothered. Or a flight attendant whose tone shifts when addressing passengers of color. Or a traveler being singled out for extra screening or questioned about their travel purpose. In these moments, the power imbalance can feel like a slap in the face. And when you’re 30,000 feet in the air, options are limited. The impact of positional power isn’t always overt. Sometimes, it’s in the microaggressions: being ignored when asking for help, not receiving the same courtesy or respect as others, or being told to “calm down” when you haven’t even raised your voice.
Traveling while Black often means carrying an extra set of emotional luggage. We balance the joy of exploration with the need for vigilance, knowing we may be judged more harshly or given fewer chances to advocate for ourselves. Positional power adds another layer. It can escalate quickly when someone in authority decides they don’t like how you’re sitting, speaking, or existing. Awareness is your armor. Understanding that some actions aren’t personal but systemic helps you make smarter, safer choices. It helps you prepare, document, and, if necessary, escalate appropriately.
Remember that adjusting to the reality of positional power doesn’t mean dimming your light. It means flying smart:
Stay calm and collected even when frustrated. Emotional control is a superpower in tense situations.
Know your rights—especially regarding seating, rebooking, and in-flight issues.
Document everything. If you experience mistreatment, note names, times, and behaviors. Follow up with a formal complaint post-flight.
Use your power—whether it’s elite status, travel knowledge, or community support—to advocate for yourself and others.
Support Black-owned travel platforms and forums where you can share experiences and resources.
Sometimes, your positional power, presence, professionalism, and pride can make people uncomfortable. But don’t let that keep you from taking up space. Fly boldly. Fly beautifully. Fly aware. At EbonyTravelers, we believe travel is not just about the destination but about owning the journey. That means being aware of the power dynamics, advocating for fairness, and uplifting one another. Have you ever felt the effects of positional power on a flight? Let’s talk about it. Drop your experience in the comments section below.
