Shoddy cabin crew or overly critical passenger? [Archive]

jensdad

8th Apr 2018, 17:42

Flew home last night after a few days away. Reputable airline.

1. Safety briefing clearly states that all laptops etc must be stowed for taxi, take-off and landing. Cabin crew then proceed - while doing both pre-take-off and pre-landing cabin checks - to walk straight past the lady sitting two seats from me who is tapping away on a laptop with an earpiece stuck in her ear.
2. A lady sitting in front of me was wearing earphones (not earpieces, earphones, i.e. the ones that cover about half of the side of your head) during pre-landing check and landing. Cabin crew said nowt.
3. Said lady had both of her window blinds down during pre-landing cabin check, and they were still down when we landed. Again, cabin crew either didn't notice or just ignored it.
4. The entire flight was in total darkness but there was no dimming of cabin lights at any point.

Cabin crew being crap or Jensdad being picky?

Gulf Julliet Papa

8th Apr 2018, 17:50

Points 2-4 depend on national authority regulation and/or airline procedures... so yes been picky

jensdad

8th Apr 2018, 17:53

Not going to give too much away here but the airline is under EU jurisdiction. I must admit, after being surprised that the CC walked straight past the lady with the laptop about a minute after telling her to put it away, from then on I was maybe a bit over-aware of what was going on. I have no experience as CC but points 2-4 go against what I've previously observed as SLF about cabin safety. As you say, though, maybe those observations have been made on different airlines from different countries.

Gulf Julliet Papa

8th Apr 2018, 18:25

Not everything is the same across the EU despite what people want you to believe.

PIK3141

8th Apr 2018, 19:29

Pointless post unless you name the airline. Why would you not ?

jensdad

8th Apr 2018, 19:47

Pointless post unless you name the airline. Why would you not ?

The point of the post is to ask the question in the title! I'm not trying to get anyone into trouble - I know that airline management read this forum and even if I name the country, that combined with my location and details of the flight I've provided can be pieced together. As I say I have no experience as CC so it's a genuine question: Am I being picky or were the cabin crew having a bad evening?

Put it another way: on all my previous flights where pax have been told to take headphones off, stow laptops, raise window blinds etc, was that just the cabin crew being picky?! ;)

ezycrew

8th Apr 2018, 21:05

The point of the post is to ask the question in the title! I'm not trying to get anyone into trouble - I know that airline management read this forum and even if I name the country, that combined with my location and details of the flight I've provided can be pieced together. As I say I have no experience as CC so it's a genuine question: Am I being picky or were the cabin crew having a bad evening?

Put it another way: on all my previous flights where pax have been told to take headphones off, stow laptops, raise window blinds etc, was that just the cabin crew being picky?! ;)

It’s not a requirement to take headphone off when the crew are demonstrating the safety features, as long as you are not preventing anyone else from watching/listening then that’s fine. Regarding the laptop as long as it can be held in one hand there is no requirement to stow it away, Window blind should have been open but it’s easily missed and not the end of the world.

jensdad

8th Apr 2018, 22:01

I was under the impression that headphones had to be removed for landing and take-off though, in case pax have to follow any non-listening-optional CC instructions? As I say I have no CC experience, but by your user name I suspect that you might have a lot more experience of this kind of stuff.

Regarding the laptop, the safety demo clearly said that laptops must be stowed for taxi, take-off and landing. Possibly my professional background is affecting my views here as since leaving the aviation-ish industry I've become a trainee teacher. Rule no.1: When you ask someone to do something make sure they flippin' do it, otherwise it'll be ten times more difficult for you next time you ask them :)

PAXboy

9th Apr 2018, 02:56

I don't think you're being too picky. I have often seen similar points overlooked. On a recent trip that combined long and short sectors, the CC said, "You may retain your phone or tablet if it can be held in one hand". Laptops were specifically to be put away.

mgahan

9th Apr 2018, 03:53

Jensdad,

It is just like pax unbelting, standing up and opening lockers before the seat belt sign is off - in some cases before the aircraft has reached the gate.

Poor cabin discipline and crew standards.

I'm not averse to pointing out the transgressors and, when applicable, flashing my Inspectors Badge and talking to the CSM before I leave the aircraft. Unfortunately the latter course of action is only possible at two ports but it is amazing what shouting, "SIT DOWN IDIOTS" does.

MJG
Pedantic maybe but safety and rules must be the prime consideration.

ZFT

9th Apr 2018, 04:10

Harry Wayfarers

9th Apr 2018, 05:40

I still recall Tina Turner, when on her Private Dancer tour, flying PLH/LHR on a Twotter being told to take her Walkman off to listen to the safety demo.

Rwy in Sight

9th Apr 2018, 05:53

but it is amazing what shouting, "SIT DOWN IDIOTS" does

I raised the comment with the crew of a now defunct airline and they told me that as long as they have made the announcement about being seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop - they are covered against actions either by people like you mgahan or by injured pax.

PAXboy

9th Apr 2018, 11:58

I have some sympathy with CC. We have spoken in here before about aggressive pax at the gate and how gate staff will often pass the buck to the CC/FC. In my recent x4 sectors with a well known European based carrier they have introduced the statememt, "You must, by law, comply with instructions ..." I doubt that many hear it.

One can only look out for youself and travelling companions and be aware of obstructions and problems should need arise. As also said here, the safety record has put 95% {guess} of pax into believing it won't happen to them. Even a precautionary go round produces panic {so called by the tabloids and social media}.

pulse1

9th Apr 2018, 14:02

I experienced something like this on a SAS flight from Sweden. A very attractive young lady sitting next to me at the back of a MD80 was bashing away on her laptop. being nosy and bored I couldn't help looking at what she was doing and, from some of her e mails I gathered that she was a stroppy, arrogant young lady.

As we started our approach into LHR she was asked to put her laptop away but carried on typing until she was asked a second time. She then got up and went to the toilet and, as far as I remember, we were down to about 1500' before she returned and strapped in.

Petty of me really but, as I got in front of her to disembark, I walked down the aisle very slowly and ensured that she was the last passenger to get off, a long way behind the rest. She didn't say a word.

mgahan

9th Apr 2018, 20:34

I raised the comment with the crew of a now defunct airline and they told me that as long as they have made the announcement about being seated until the aircraft has come to a complete stop - they are covered against actions either by people like you mgahan or by injured pax.

How about taking responsibility as crew and having some concern for flight safety and the safety of the passengers!

MJG
Trying very hard not to use the term "snowflake"

Load Toad

10th Apr 2018, 03:31

Folks, we live at a time where everyone else in the cabin is allowed to totally do what they want and ignore any or all of the regulations or instructions they are given. Because like they have like rights yeah?
Cabin crew probably want to enforce the rules and regulations but they know they'd be fighting petty battles with 30+ cretins that can't get off their smartphones for a few minutes. And if pilots insisted that all the rules were followed by everyone no plane would get off the ground.

If I don't have several gins before I get on a flight these days I want to punch the living **** out of some idiot nearby who thinks his/her right to screw about is more important than everyone elses safety and comfort.

Jarvy

10th Apr 2018, 05:43

CC lost control of the cabin many years ago. Some passengers do as they like knowing that nothing will happen. Sign of the times I'm afraid.

Chesty Morgan

10th Apr 2018, 06:03

And if pilots insisted that all the rules were followed by everyone no plane would get off the ground.

Personally that’s exactly what I say on the PA. I’ve been known stop on the taxiway until people comply. My crew know I’m happy to do this. It actually works. Who’d have thought.

Basil

10th Apr 2018, 09:51

For those who stand up as we taxi on to stand, there is a possibility of very firm braking. You may be OK or not but remember, you've just given away any chance of sueing for injury.

Mr Mac

10th Apr 2018, 12:06

Chesty
Totally agree with your thoughts and action, I wish more had that attitude in your profession, and that they were backed up better by their employers. I hear that yours also does this as well.

Regards
Mr Mac

Chesty Morgan

10th Apr 2018, 19:13

They do and the cabin crew are getting, in fact most have got, the message. When it comes to disruptive passengers I completely back then up and the company backs everybody. Couldn’t ask for more.

Cheers.