Does it bother you if we come back for a chat and what about Electronic ciggies

[Coopz67]

Hi all.
I fly often from DXB-LHR on Ek's 773's.
Usually at the back about 47B. I like going to the galley at the back and have a chat with the crew, although I try to avoid it when you're having your food and a break. I've always found it a pleasant experience and as I am based in Dubai, enjoyed having a drink and swapping tales and general gossip about the town. Does it bother you when pax enter the galley, do you prefer them in the cabin ?
My other question is I often go to the toilet and smoke my electronic cigarette. I am aware this can set off the smoke alarm but it dissipates very quickly and of course is an odourless vapour and non flammable. I do it because I feel it would freak other pax around me seeing the end lit up and what appears to be smoke being exhaled. There doesent seem to be any clear legislation on this or at least its not on the safety warning or any PA. What are your thoughts on this.
To end, I'd just like to say thanks for all the warm welcomes, chats and extra Jack Daniels you've dished out over the years and next time if I come to the back can I smoke (vape) my electronic ciggie :)

Coopz67

[Glamgirl]

Hi there,

I don't work for Emirates, but I just wanted to say that it's nice when passengers come for a chat in the galley. A couple of hint & tips, if I may:
Please wait until after meal service, as it gets very busy around the galley at this time. Also, please bear in mind that it can take a little while to tidy up the galley after a meal service... Coopz67, this isn't specifically pointed to you, by the way.

In regards to the electronic cigarette, may I recommend that you let the crew know as soon as possible (at least before the first usage on board), and that you use their guidance as in where to use this "cigarette". I wouldn't recommend using it whilst in your seat, due to (as you said) that it might scare other passengers - or even make other passengers think that smoking (regular cigarettes) is allowed.

I've had a few passengers using these "cigarettes" on board, and they have all told me about it beforehand. I encouraged them to stand near the rear galley whilst "smoking", as it was out of sight of passengers. Also, as a lot of countries now have a smoking ban in public places, it might make it more like going outside for a cigarette, as you would on the ground. I will point out though, that do not attempt to go outside whilst on an aircraft - unless disembarking, of course...;)

I hope you enjoy your next flight.

Gg

[Shazz-zaam]

Electronic cigarettes are not approved for use in the aircraft cabin on Qantas. Cabin Standing Order 37/09. 23rd June 2009.:}

[Boomerang_Butt]

As far as I'm aware they're also banned on a fair number of other carriers... when in doubt I'd say anything that is smoking ( or APPEARS to be smoking) is probably not a good idea... if you're going to the toilet to do it and you admit that it *might* set off the detector than maybe err on the side of caution and not use it... otherwise one day you might get an extremely angry telling off from a crew member with a fire extinguisher in hand! :P

I'd imagine also that this would cause more problems on carriers where most of the passengers might not speak English/French/commong language as once they see, they do- and they might not understand the difference as you say.

Any EK crew care to comment? Anything in your manuals about this?

[Coopz67]

Yes Boomerang, the monkey see monkey do scenario would definitley be a problem on EK. I know they still have a "smoke" problem with Dakka, Instabul and Moscow last time I discussed it with crew.
I reckon they will just ban them outright in the end.
However, how about an airline embracing the idea. There are electric ciggies that have only a blue light specifically to prevent mistaken identity. Reserve the last 10 rows for vaping as it's known. Charge an extra $25 a seat and sell them on board for $50 a pop, a possible $7500 per flight with commision sales going to the crew ;)
Would be quite a sight, seeing dozens of blue lights and clouds of steam wafting up from the back, but then again :)
Coopz

[Isabellas]

Yes its nice to talk to passengers in the galley if not too busy:)
i think this kind of cig is a good idea for smokers who
find it difficult to be in the air for a long flight without smoking...

i dont know about this kind of cig but as u might know, normally its illegal to smoke in the aircraft in UAE, which
means they can get arrested upon arriving in dubai, u never know with
the crew...thats what i know, dont trust them but make sure that its
ok with the purser... but as crew our prime concern if somebody is
smoking in the lav, is where they put the butt i guess... but smoke detectors r ofcourse quite stressful too ha ha

hope u can continue smoking ur cig in future:):)

[chiquidejesus]

Electronic ciggies isnt defined in EKs manual yet if its approved to be used in the aircraft or not... but the management says they are working on it though. For now, it is upon the crew or the purser's discrestion. I personally dont approved of the elec cig because as you have said in EK, its monkey see, monkey do..

[AirborneSoon]

On a longhaul aircraft where there is alternative crew rest then chatting in the galley is fine.

Just be mindful though a galley is a work area and one of the only places on the aircraft that crew can get some personal space. On smaller aircraft passengers occupying a galley can deprive crew of their access to crew rest or ability to have a meal. As nice as we are, we have to eat too especially when we are working and on our feet for long hours.

The only practice I discourage is when passengers gather to chat amoung themselves in the galley area. It obstructs our ability to access service items at a time we need to be working, and also means we have no space for ourselves.

Galleys are dangerous confined places, I've been injured in them more times than I care to admit and having extra bodies in there does pose an increased risk to both crew and passengers. Please be courteous and vacant any galley area when crew are working, they need space to set up carts and safely move hot items around. Please keep small children out of the galley areas, its not a safe place for them to play.

[apaddyinuk]

By all means pop in and say a quick hello and brief chat. But be aware that they crew have lots of little duties to do and do not become a hinderence. A few minutes is more then enough unless it is actually the crew member who is engaging you in conversation (because if its the other way they are perhaps just being polite by not telling you to leave) and DO NOT lecture to any crew member for 40 minutes all the reasons why my airline is worse then the rest!!!! Just had it about 4 hours ago and my gawd I was ready for blood!!!!

[Alexandraa]

I don't mind passengers coming into the galley for a small chat as long as it doesn't happen during the service! Galleys aren't the most spacious places and especially not when there are trolleys all over the place. It's also nice with a bit of privacy when you're having something to eat. I hate when passengers are standing in the galley and staring whilst you are eating. One trip when it usually gets far too crowded, but sometimes very nice too, is LAD with all of those oil rigger workers who come back to 4L and 4R to drink and socialise! It's also nice with a small chat in the middle of the night on a flight when half of the crew is on rest and you are bored to death and trying to keep yourself from falling asleep.

[Foxy Loxy]

Best flight ever, for me:

I only even slightly threw a glance towards the galley(from the last row), having finished my 300l (or so) bottle of red. They looked busy, so I thought I'd leave the CC to it.

One minute later: "Can I get you anything, more wine?"
"Oh. Hi, Didn't want to disturb you, but yes, that would be nice, if you can."
"Of course. Here you are."
"Thank you, very much."

Got handed a customer services questionnaire during the descent. All CC q's were rated as either "very good" or "excellent."


Even better, I was later told by one of their colleagues that my question paper went into their purser's performance review. :ok:

[bucky1]

I can't stand passengers in the galley!!! We hardly get any time off anyway, so need this space to re-group, eat our meal etc. How would you feel if a client came into your staffroom or office during your lunch break and wanted to "chat" when all you wanted was 5 minutes peace and quiet after being flat out and "on" for 4-5 hours???

[Boddingtons]

I take it you voted to strike then... ;)

[Tallguy]

Bucky1 - It happens regularly in the side of aviation I'm in (customers in the office at any time of the day) and whilst yes I agree it can be an irritant the customers effectively pay my salary so all in all it's no great hardship, it's a service industry...

[Abusing_the_sky]

I don't mind pax in the galley at all. I didn't mind them when i was a JU at the back, i don't mind them at the front. Costs me nothing to have a chat whilst i set up the trolley, clear the galley, whatever. Most of them don't engage me in a conversation if they see me eating, but then again i don't really sit down and eat properly as i don't have the time. I usually have my dinner standing up, whilst checking the paperwork or writing a report and so on. But that's just me, it's my choice to do so.

But please don't moan about how bad the airline is; i'm really sorry about the delay because of the weather, i really am, i did try to have a word with God but his schedule was full that morning and he couldn't see me.


bucky1, change of careers perhaps? I hear there are lots of "work from home" jobs going, that way pax won't annoy you as much.

I take it you voted to strike then..
That really made me chuckle, thank you:D

[starbag]

At bmi we've just had a memo released allowing electronic cigarettes to be brought on board, but cannot be used during flight.

[northern-light]

Im EK crew, and we have just been notified that the electronic cigarette will not be allowed to be used onboard our aircraft. They are still working on the exact policy, so we are expecting a revision of the sep manual shortly with the details.