At Monarch the same general instruction exists. A member of the cabin crew should check the flight deck every 20 minutes.
Common sense dictates that a general average of 20 minutes is in order rather any hard and fast rule. Usually this is done by the cabin crew member whose duties include offering a drink at those intervals. Some times it will be the senior cabin crew member. In reality it might be any of the crew.
The check provides for a number of things. Obviously it keeps the flight deck crew hydrated. It also provides a check to ensure there are no problems on the flight deck. It also provides an opportunity for interaction betwen the Captain and the crew as to the general situation in the cabin. It provides a short respite for the cabin crew from the cabin environment. Hopefully it provides the opportunity for a little C.R.M even if it is only to listen to someone elses problem ( on either side!).
It sometimes happens that the check is not followed as well as it might be. Sometimes this is because of a particularly busy cabin situation, or maybe there is a new cabin crew member who needs time to settle into the role. Like most things, it requires patience and understanding. Indeed before it manifests itself as a problem, good management practice would be for the Captain to liase with the senior crew member to see if anything can be done to modify the situation. A little tact and good manners usually goes a long way to a quick resolution.
I suppose the short answer is "Comunication".
( though possibly not quite as short if you spell it with two "m"s !)
Last edited by Jetdriver; 23rd June 2002 at 20:34.