A little change of tack again.
I have only had time to read a few of the comments above but some have been very constructive, others maybe not.
I work for the airline that recommends blankets as a way around the crouch strap problem. There has slowly been an increase in the feeling of animosity between CC and flight deck recently. Please note that these are MY feelings on the subject right or wrong.
Part of the problem lies with the more senior CC who have recently elevated themselves above the whole crew, including the pilots, by wearing New Silver name badges. It screams “ I am in charge”, the Captain is considered, by a lot of the Junior CC, as someone behind the “door” that helps the CSD do their job.
On a recent trip the Captain I flew with was a little distressed to hear the closing comment of one CC member to the passengers as they taxied to stand. “ on behalf of the Cabin Crew and most importantly your Cabin Service Director we would like to thank you for flying etc”
The captain wasn’t even mentioned. Very disrespectful.
Then when we have to have a CC member on the flight deck we have to spoon-feed them through how the seat works. Really I mean this is surely part of their SEP. They cannot even work out how to put the jump seat down.
On a recent CSD training course an open question was put to room of 30 potential CSD’s. They were asked how they perceived the order of command on the aircraft. 80% were certain that it went Captain, CSD then F/O. When asked if they were sure, they swore blind that this is how the chain of command went. Well on the few occasions that things have started to go wrong in flight and serious decisions had to be made they found it very easy to look to the front for answers.
The flight deck make decisions everyday that have drastic effects for all on board but the thought processes, the options, the reasons and the stress never passes the cockpit door, only the safe and smooth out come is felt down the back. Sure enough if we do a heavy landing everyone becomes an expert and tells you so, I think I should now start to become an expert on why my breakfast has been cooking for nearly two hours, char-grilled egg.
Look it can be summed up in a couple of sentences. I spent years training and have never really stopped, you can’t, the job requires it. If for argument sake I was to take on the role a CSD for a day, ( normal operation , no emergencies) I am sure that I could make an attempt. Now it may not be a smooth operation and things would be done in correctly but no one would come to any harm. If a CSD had to fly the aircraft even with all the help in the world from the Captain they would not be able to pull it off without some training first.
This is where the respect is lost, in lack of understanding of the job in front of the door. Back in the good old days, on one occasion, a colleague had a young stewardess on the jump seat. She had listened to the other crew member’s comments on flight deck, pay and general bitching and had started to follow suit, until… On the approach suffered a multiple bird strike, numerous problems followed that involved a Pan call going out, a go around and a shut down of one engine. The flight deck did their job, there was a lot of activity and some rapid decisions. Numerous warning horns and bells but nothing that the training hadn’t covered. On the ground they were met by the Red Escorts but nothing too serious, anyway when they turned to see how the third seater was doing she was in floods of tears and scared sh**less. Only then did the reality of why they were up there dawn on her.
Pity not all CC share her insight.
This does not apply to all CC and CSD’s but the fact that it does for some needs to be addressed.