QF SOs now operating as Flight Attendants
 

I wondered why the EP questions are getting harder.

A new policy at QF for SOs:

"In exceptional circumstances, relief Flight Crew members(read SOs) may form part of the Cabin Crew complement during takeoff and landing. This may prevent having to operate the service with a reduced passenger load."

Hmmm, so much for safety on the flight deck during critical phases of flight.

Hmmm, Sorry Judge but I was unable to assist/prevent the Captain and FO with the RTO, Total Electronics Failure, Fire, Engine failure, NMAC, etc because I was a primary at R4.

Bet this becomes more common than the above mentioned "In exceptional circumstances"

Wonder what the Pax will think of seeing one of the pilots sitting at a door instead of up the front.

As QF try harder and harder to stretch safety(read spend less money), the larger the holes in the swiss cheese become.

Probably OK if the flight crew consists of four members, but I suspect that is not the case...:rolleyes:

strobe12,

yeah, I got a reference for that, mate!

Its in something called the Flight Standing Orders. #009/2008

Ever read them?;)

Just say no dude. Your employed as a pilot not a flight attendant.

Geez, that was quick. Issued yesterday and on PPRUNE already! :eek:

Note that it did say that it required Captain, Duty Captain and CASA approval and it was only as a door primary for purposes of take off and landing. I wonder how it will work for something like a prepared ditching! :eek: Anyone ever seen the demo cabin crew do for this let alone know it!

Yes Keg but it still says it can happen regardless of who has to give approval. I assume the CP had to give his approval for the FSO to be issued?

Of course.

Not saying that I agree with it. I think there are times when it may be appropriate- the recent issue of the PAC Blue flight when someone went sick in mid tour of duty for example although they didn't have extra crew...but you get my drift.

That said, I reckon it won't take long and it'll start to become more routine and that could be an interesting tangent to follow. First it will be someone going sick at sign on in Sydney. Don't want to delay the flight so they'll ask the crew to help out. Then it will be someone going sick four hours before sign on but they couldn't find a replacement in port- Sydney or elsewhere. I wonder if eventually it would just be expected that if a c/c member falls over in (say) SIN that one of the S/Os takes care of the door rather than disrupt c/c off another crew. I hope it'd never come to that but I won't put money on it!

Please tell me this is just a rumor....

A pilot acting as a FA, how degrading (no offence to cc.)

Surely the pilot group and AIPA would not allow this under any circumstance!!

Can't say I have ever had a flying job where competency in operating exits was not in the job description...:rolleyes:

Not 'acting as a FA' per se, acting as a door primary which to me is just one aspect of 'acting as a FA'. There is no service involved at all which to me is a significant part of 'acting as a FA'.

Good question for AIPA. I havent got the EBA on me but do our duties include working as a member of the cabin crew?

Does the door primary have to do a safety demo in their zone...?
Noice

.....hey what's all the fuss here??/.............we have been doing this sort of thing in one form or another (hosty stuff) as single pilot ops from day one !!!
More whittling away of T&C's for the flight crew, next thing ya will know is that the Capt will have to get his own coffee !!!!.heaven forbid !:}

new times ahead !

CW:)

Seems to be an acknowledgement that the SO isn't necessary as part of the crew, but just there as an added extra taking up room in the cockpit. Do this just once and it's permission for it to occur regularly. Next step: pull the SO out altogether. Who's letting this rubbish get through the filter in QF and CASA? Either the aircraft needs a SO full time or it doesn't. There's no part time SO, part time CC. If a SO is not needed, then get rid of the position, save a few bucks and sell the extra capacity.

Why not? Seems to be acceptable on the ramp...

K

Ah another example of the brilliance of QF.

Major in minor things.

I wonder how it affects duty time calculations on those lightly crewed flights, perhaps heading to the UK in northern summers from a northern Asian port.

Sort of like justifying putting new hire training S/O's in Y class for their rest periods as they aren't part of the operating crew....Of course they were to be upgraded if COMMERCIAL sale of a J/P class seat meant one was vacant.

Where is AIPA?

It sure aint what it used to be......

My guess is that AIPA wasn't even consulted. Typical of this management, they think they can vary employment conditions on a whim and will no doubt react with feigned surprise when the phone call comes through on Tuesday morning.

And naturally given the fact it is an additional duty, it will attract an extra payment.

Its A God Thing
 

I Recon Its Agood Think .

The F/o To Be Might Even Have Clue What Goes On Down The Back And Grow Up A Bit .

Do You Really Think You Need Three Human Brains At Cridical Times On A Boeing -- I Dont Thnk So -- Even The Spae Set Of Hands Will Get In The Way -- The Only Good Reason For A S/o Is So The Capt Can Get A Nap

Without malice, a straw poll of Pilot's generally would probably show that there are no tasks they don't feel capable of conducting. The reality is that most would, if asked.