Tightslot,very well put and it does seem the season for 'culling'
the 'in charge' crew member.
In reply to Numdeplume(you made many good points), what's in a name?,I do think it a grand title for the position but regardless of the title it is an important position in more than one way.
As an 'in charge' your pre-flight briefing sets the tone for the flight ahead and hopefully leads to good team work,what you expect of the crew and what then can expect of you,and that you're there to support them in their duties.
You are there for your cabin crew and very importantly there to keep a regular check on the well being of your flight crew throughout the flight and keeping them informed of any problems
that may be happening or about to in the cabin area.
Leadership skills more importantly come into play on a more serious note in any type of emergency when we have to look after or even save our passengers,a well motivated crew is vital and will react in a positive manner.
The 'in charge',CSD,Purser or whatever else we're called(answers on a postage stamp please!!) will play a key role in communication between The Captain,First Officer ,the crew and the passengers in an emergency.
Nexeuk,I don't know if you've just been unlucky with the crews you've had and if you have,I apologise you find them or perceive them like this or you have an axe to grind for some reason but as said before please do not tar us all with the same brush.They are again the MINORITY.
I enjoy my job and take a pride in my work and hopefully this is passed onto the crew on my flights and from the many positive comments I get from passengers this is the case and they unlike the many people you know will fly BA again.
The point about the crew ignoring the pilots when they get on a bus down route I find hard to believe,did you witness this yourself?.I do point out that on long haul for some reason on many occasions the cabin crew are on the bus before our pilots and the pilots end up sitting at the front,but I never witnessed the rudeness that you discribe.
Finally a message to any colleagues who who do act the 'high and mighty' please don't and stop giving a bad impression to our passengers, also you know the chain of command so respect it .
It is there for many reasons but never forget the real one....
SAFETY.
I never generalise and know for every one awkward passenger there are four hundred good ones and likewise with our Flight Crew colleagues.
These are not nice times for any of us at the moment so can I please ask this game of 'bait the crew' to stop as I feel we don't deserve it.
Thanks and happy flying to us all.
NJR.
