Very good point there Jane - not only are we trying to avoid discouraging the cabin crew from bringing things to our attention, but we are also trying to overcome any previous negative effect induced by the attitude of other flight deck crew.
It's incredibly important to remember that, for those flight deck crew who have been flying much of their lives and are seen by the more junior members of aircrew as the old, hoary ones (I'm probably seen much that way!
) there's not a great deal that will really faze us. The more experienced cabin crew members are a real asset when things are going hairy. The more junior, inexperienced ones with little experience even of life since leaving school will be scared, apprehensive and wondering if they can cope with the job they've been landed with. Snapping at them when the pressure is on will probably push them mentally into a corner and they'll be useless for the rest of the emergency.
Instead it's important to encourage them, keep them going, show you have confidence in them. Then, hopefully, they will have confidence in themselves and get the job done.
The more experienced ones will carry on regardless, but you need to hear what they have to say. Use them as a valuable resource.
Whatever your ego tells you - you
cannot do it alone when it all goes pear-shaped and the panels are lighting up like a Christmas tree.
OK - so I talk a good emergency. I shall spare my own blushes and not publicise what I
actually did on a recent LOFT exercise! :o
Do as I say - not as I did!