mon533
Tightslot, an excellent post explaining many of the facets of airline operation, both accurately and succinctly. As you say, you were not there at the time. I do know someone who was, however, and the following information may shed more light on the flight and close the thread. The aircraft was on time at PMI, but was allocated a takeoff slot only 50 mins later. This reduced the effective turnround time, as the minimum time between push and takeoff at PMI is 10 mins. Monarch endeavour to meet the published departure times. To that end when the cleaners did not turn up at the aircraft, and were unlikely to do so until 10 mins to pushback, the cabin crew did the cleaning. This prevented the oncoming passengers having to sit in the litter, detritus, and general mess that the public seem unable to avoid generating on aircraft. The cabin crew did not get a break other than one member who managed a couple of bites before the passengers arrived. The ‘staff shop’ was not used as there was no access from the stand to the terminal. Cessna Student will recall very well the welcome address by the captain, I certainly do, which specifically asked people to pay attention to the safety brief. Overselling of products on aircraft occurs on all flights, irritating though it might be to all of us it is a fact of the industry. The aircraft pushed on time, and landed 8 mins late due to strong headwinds (probably Monarchs’ fault). There was a slight delay positioning the airbridge, and unusually the captain was available in the cabin during disembarkation; no one presented themselves to comment on the service.