The uniformed attendant sitting next to you on your flight is probably 'deadheading' or getting paid to fly as a passenger

• Airlines sometimes have to reposition pilots and flight attendants so they can work on flights.
• Staff who are "deadheading" are paid to fly so they can reach another airport but aren't on active duty.
• They generally fly in their uniform and sit among passengers in economy seats.

A Southwest Airlines flight from Texas to Missouri recently made an unscheduled stop in Kansas so that it could drop off a flight attendant needed at an airport in Wichita.