[Hulka]

And getting uglier and meaner each day.

I have a theory on that: They became a stewardess when they were young, pretty and perky and pilots chased them. . .and they took advantage of that.

Then, decades later, either they married the pilot and he eventually fell for another young pretty and perky stewardess, thereby turning the stewardess into an old bitter hag, or the stewardess never snagged a pilot and is bitter and resentful for that. . .regardless, in both cases, they are still on their feet decades after they thought they would be living the good life playing tennis at the club.

Just my theory. . .

[nascarnation]

I’m sure there’s some validity in your theories.
Also the job itself is less well compensated and more difficult.
Supervising the human cattle car is much less enjoyable compared to 30 yrs ago.
The hot girls are finding other more desirable occupations.