Monarch "Tea Break"
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Monarch "Tea Break"
During a Monarch flight LGW - TFS last week it was announced that the cabin crew would be having a 1/2 hour break, and that this is because of regulations.
Having flown to TFS a number of times, this is the first time I have experienced such a thing.
Is it a new regulation?
Having flown to TFS a number of times, this is the first time I have experienced such a thing.
Is it a new regulation?
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well I don't think there are any regulations for short haul flying about breaks, not legally anyway. Long haul I think's different but hey I'm not one of the jetset so wouldn't know lol!
Its normal though to have a break after the first lot of services and who can blame us!! I think some crews announce the break in services otherwise you can quite often be back an forward etc an no one ever gets a proper break, probably also just to reassure pax where the crew are lol. I think BA do this as well, as long as you had everything you wanted though and all the services were completed, I can't see a problem :-)
Aaah time for a tea break now, I've served 10 rows on the bar hehe ;-)
Its normal though to have a break after the first lot of services and who can blame us!! I think some crews announce the break in services otherwise you can quite often be back an forward etc an no one ever gets a proper break, probably also just to reassure pax where the crew are lol. I think BA do this as well, as long as you had everything you wanted though and all the services were completed, I can't see a problem :-)
Aaah time for a tea break now, I've served 10 rows on the bar hehe ;-)
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The crew having a scheduled break is a must. And on long haul I have seen them disappear in small groups down the "Mystery Stairs", it just struck me as unusual that it was announced, but I understand what you are saying richxby.
Seems to me in the travelling world that there are few times when Joe Public is so demanding as when he is on the move. And those that help Joe on his way need their time out!
Seems to me in the travelling world that there are few times when Joe Public is so demanding as when he is on the move. And those that help Joe on his way need their time out!
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Good on Monarch i say, wish we were able to do that! I operated a Tfs yesterday and it was not stop all the way, a short half hour break would do everyone the world of good. After all what other jobs do u know that work 12 hr shifts with no proper breaks??
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Egnxema,
Don't forget that a TFS is an out and back so is generally a longer duty day than many long haul flights. As there is so much going on in the turnround there never is a natural break in a 12 hour day unless specifed by the purser.
Don't forget that a TFS is an out and back so is generally a longer duty day than many long haul flights. As there is so much going on in the turnround there never is a natural break in a 12 hour day unless specifed by the purser.
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Wanna try Operations 12 hours with no breaks!! A regular thing.
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Nothing wrong with the crew having a break because they do operate some very long days. It would normally devolve to the senior crew member to arrange for groups of crewmembers to take a short periodic break. They would possibly do this as part of their pre-flight briefing. Of course the carriage of passengers requires from a statutory viewpoint that the cabin is continuously monitored and therefore any breaks need to satisfy the requirement that this coverage is maintained.
I find it slightly odd that a P.A was made to this effect, since it seems to be outside the remit of the cabin crew to make such an anouncement on this subject. Given their duties and the need for a minimum level of coverage required it also seems rather redundant. It sounds as if it was maverick on this occaision.
I find it slightly odd that a P.A was made to this effect, since it seems to be outside the remit of the cabin crew to make such an anouncement on this subject. Given their duties and the need for a minimum level of coverage required it also seems rather redundant. It sounds as if it was maverick on this occaision.
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once meal trays have been collected(on longer flights) i often make a p.a saying crew are going to take a short break and feel free to stretch legs/use washrooms and we will shortley be offering duty free/more drinks ect.lots of pax like to stand up for a bit after all the hype of dvt and some (not all!!)dont like to get in our way if were coming through with trolleys ect.i dont see problem with this as sccm i take pride in the fact i personally make sure all my crew get a bite to eat/actually sit down to eat it as well!!!.when i started flying we would often do a 12hr day say tfs with only a pax meal wolfed down whilst refilling our coffee pots to keep us going all day!!i think it's poor onboard time management!!!.as long as crew accept on short flights we may only get a quick 5mins.on my flights my passengers are happy and so are my crew
de minimus non curat lex
The Civil Aviation (Working Time) Regulations 2004
This regulation came into force on 13 April 2004.
In essence, the employer is required to
"ensure that patterns affords the crew member adequate rest breaks." [ para. 7(2)(a)]
"rest break" and "rest period", in relation to a crew member means a period which is not working time. [para. 3]
It is question of what interpretation is put on the word "adequate" taking into account what is equitable.
para. 12(1) Offences
Any person who fails to comply with any of the relevant requirements shall be guilty of an offence.
www.hmso.gov.uk for the full nine yards.
In essence, the employer is required to
"ensure that patterns affords the crew member adequate rest breaks." [ para. 7(2)(a)]
"rest break" and "rest period", in relation to a crew member means a period which is not working time. [para. 3]
It is question of what interpretation is put on the word "adequate" taking into account what is equitable.
para. 12(1) Offences
Any person who fails to comply with any of the relevant requirements shall be guilty of an offence.
www.hmso.gov.uk for the full nine yards.
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Sorry, but I don't agree with the support that you guys are offering this Monarch crew and I'm sure that maybe the CAA wouldn't be too pleased with their actions either.
Yes, I totally agree that the crew should have a break, having flown myself I understand the need and that there isn't always a chance, however it should be up to the Senior Crew Member or the crew as a whole, to ensure that they all get a chance to have a sit down and a bite to eat.
Making this kind of announcement could be seen as a "don't disturb the crew", which in turn could put safety of passengers and the flight at risk. Excessive, yes maybe, but it could quite easily happen that a passenger whilst sat in their seat notices something 'out of the ordinary'. The sort of passenger that doesn't want to be a bother to the crew may be further put off of contacting them, or being a nuisance if they have been told the crew are on a break.
Yes, I totally agree that the crew should have a break, having flown myself I understand the need and that there isn't always a chance, however it should be up to the Senior Crew Member or the crew as a whole, to ensure that they all get a chance to have a sit down and a bite to eat.
Making this kind of announcement could be seen as a "don't disturb the crew", which in turn could put safety of passengers and the flight at risk. Excessive, yes maybe, but it could quite easily happen that a passenger whilst sat in their seat notices something 'out of the ordinary'. The sort of passenger that doesn't want to be a bother to the crew may be further put off of contacting them, or being a nuisance if they have been told the crew are on a break.
Last edited by hasta lueGO; 10th Feb 2005 at 18:42.
Crew all go for break.
Medical emergency, smoke, disruptive passenger incident in cabin.
Who deals with it?
It really ought to be up to the senior to enable each individual crew member to have a break during a working day at DIFFERENT TIMES so that adequate safety cover for the passengers and cabin remains in place at all times. For the whole crew to say "don't bother us for the next half hour" is potentially unsafe.
Medical emergency, smoke, disruptive passenger incident in cabin.
Who deals with it?
It really ought to be up to the senior to enable each individual crew member to have a break during a working day at DIFFERENT TIMES so that adequate safety cover for the passengers and cabin remains in place at all times. For the whole crew to say "don't bother us for the next half hour" is potentially unsafe.
