seems to work on LH. i am all for it.
just a bit concerned with up to 6 extra people wandering around 2 class 747. how do i keep the buggers out of R2?

Having just been at work, it appears that the great majority of F/A's seem happy with this. It would appear to be a small minority who are so vocal on here.

Last year I was on a BA flight where the jump seat opposite was being used for a staff traveller. Why are people in QF being so special about something most other airlines have had for decades? If it was a safety issue, why would all those other airlines that have been doing it for so long have continued with the policy?

If we can't look after our own, then the business is really in trouble.

Bazza,Are you strapped in when you are on the flight deck?
Would you like to have a seat that you could get into fast if you had to with no problems such as someone else sitting in it?

If another carrier had an operating procedure that we did not you would automatically adopt it simply because they do it?

If this is so much of a problem why not approach the company to get some sort of system that allows crew to take their partner away on one trip a year!

apart from the safety issues.... i would be less concerned if our customers were not being charged an extra $300 for an exit row seat for the extra space.

Having that space taken up by someone permanently sitting on a jumpseat opposite them and taking their leg space is a more immediate issue.

Personally i think that staff travel is crap anyways these days and you are better off buying a commercial ticket.

I dont relish having passengers complain about their "paid" for space being taken up by staff passengers. If Qantas wants to remove the extra charge for exit row seats my Service objections will vanish

JJ,
there will be seat available for you to strap into, it's called the primary position.
The person will be sitting in an unused assist seat. So if there are 15 crew, there will be 15 jump seats available somewhere on the aircraft for all crew.

It's no different to when no pax are using jump seats.
If you need to strap in fast and and someone else beat you to the jump seat, you have to find somewhere else, even if you have to wedge yourself between seat rows, as per procedure.

As for Pegasus' concern for the pax that paid their premium for the exit row, exit row pax are well aware that crew will need to sit there from time to time and they know that the seats have an advantage over normal seats whether the jump seat is being used or not.
It is entirely possible that the operating crew will be sitting there themselves for most of a turbulent flight.
There will still be room for them to extend their legs while sitting.
Your argument really is flawed as they did not pay for "space" as you put it.

time will tell Twiggs... i am rarely wrong about these things... i am prepared to admit i am wrong if that eventuates.... i will wait for the "public" reaction...

All this caused by the stupidity of DOTARS

You are all talking as if this new FSO is something that is going to be implemented every single flight! This is a last resort at providing a way home for an operating crew's companion. It is not ideal by any means, but I can not see it being a common occurence. As we all know, a crew rest seat is almost always given up to get a fellow employee/operating crew's companion home.

In the case of the crew jumpseat needing to be occupied for the entire flight, I am sure (hope) we are all smart enough to make a mental note not to aim for that one when the seatbelt sign comes on. In reality, the seat won't be occupied during service when everyone is "on", and when our breaks have started, the full range of jumpseats won't be needed. Also, the assist jumseat would have been exchanged for a more discreet jumpseat, depending on aircraft type.

I think it is a sensible agreement that gives us a way to get our loved ones home, particularly on the aircraft where the crew rest seats are not to be used for T/O and landings.

As for what the pax thinks.... it's amazing how understanding other humans can be when you explain a situation to them in a calm, empathetic manner with a smile :ok:

Louise,So the only crew member that walks past that seat during the flight is the primary?
When turbulence hits do you go to your jump seat Louise or do you grab the nearest one?
What if your assigned seat is L5 and the manure hits the turbine when you are walking from L2 to L3.
You are telling us that you don't jump into the nearest jump seat but instead walk all the way through the aircraft to L5.
Instead of always taking the opposite view why don't you think once in a while Louise.
Now that really is rubbish Louise.

Seriously, go to a fast food store and ask for a Mc Common sense meal.

Jungle juice may I ask what you would do if the aircraft had a full compliment of F/A's? i.e no spare jumpseats. Where would you sit then, if hit by turbulence?

You still haven't answered my question blueloo so for your edification I'll post again.-


"So you think this is a good idea and should be implemented regardless of whether the rear flight deck jump seats are available for "travel companion" onload or not?"

Jungle Juice must have been very bad at musical chairs!:E

Capt_SNAFU,Since when have we worked with the number of crew we did only a few years ago?
blueloo & Capt_SNAFU,I'll ask the question again.
For this question I'll assume that you are tech crew.
When you are seated in the flight deck,do you have your seat belt on?
Of course you do just as you tell the passengers.
So what is so different about us that you don't think it matters?
Obviously,you can't understand a simple scenario such as unexpected turbulence.
I am saying that if there is a jump seat that I can get to I would prefer it to be available.
Why do you have back up systems on the flight deck?
Do you always expect things to go perfectly well?
No, because you plan for the unexpected.
Why do you have someone check your work and why have a checklist?
In our world when things go pear shaped it's good to have an ace up your sleeve.
If you want to take risks then use your own neck and not mine.If there is only 1 spare jumpseat it is one we have we can use in an emergency.
If you think that doesn't make sense can you let me know what flights you are on and I'll avoid them like the plague.
'Not Louise' twiggs,As I said try to think now and again independently of the office or amuse yourself by playing musical chairs at the BOS desk instead.

Typhoon in A Spoon
 

The likelihood of the scenario arising where staff pax need to utilise a jumpseat will be very rare indeed.
Its a bit like arguing about the next total eclipse.
Its all very well to intellectualize the scenario until it becomes personal.
By that I mean when you or a family member needs to avail yourself of the jumpseat.
Then all whatif arguments are shown the door

You can easily buy interline tickets online.

On the Staff Travel website just select "Application Forms" on the Bookings tab.

You are then presented with an electronic version of the form you use to buy tickets via fax (which is also easier than 2 hrs on hold) - fill it out - press submit, tickets arrive in mail.

I think its a good idea given the current limitations we have due DOTARS.

Is it ideal? Maybe not.

Is it unsafe? No, personally I don't think it is unsafe.

Other than the suggestion of not utilising this facility - a suggestion of a few minority people (who may or may not have valid safety issues) - what other issue is there?



As for seats and turbulence? Well - the current policy in a nutshell has 2 scenarios - anticipated turbulence and unanticipated.

In the first situation - you have at least a minutes notice until you have to be seated - more than enough time to find your seat - and if from most accounts - a large portion of crew spend vastly longer than a minute fiddling around before being seated - but hey thats your choice.

Unanticipated - well pretty sure that says you find a seat anywhere immediately - even if you have to wedge yourself somewhere.

Practically...... I have never had to give an "immediate" PA - not saying crew don't, but I bet when it is given, most crew still don't wedge themselves somewhere between pax.

As for finding a crew jumpseat because of beneficiary in a seat...... well I can think of lots of senarios where this argument falls flat. This will no doubt be seen as an attack on cabin crew but its not. I am just saying use a bit of spare brain matter - which is hopefully what most of you do every day anyway.

a) you are trundeling down the isle next to the cabin crew rest seats and you need an immediate seat.... ooops can't use the closest seats (ie cabin crew rest seats) because they are occupied by staff. is this any different to the nearest jumpseat being occupied if turbulence is such an issue.

b) you hit turbulence like the A330 in learmonth - oops - no time for anyone to get to their seat anyway. (Apologies - I am not trying to trivialise a very serious event where crew got hurt)

c) ill pax (non staff) is having a panadol and a projectile yak in a rear cabin crew seat.......what do you do

d)half or more of the crew are in the crew rest whilst you have an event needing your seat.....should be plenty spare jumpseats as the rest of the crew are in the crew rest

e) this policy is not utilised - the company sees an opportunity to remove the excess weight of the unnecessary extra crew seat - what happens now is it unsafe?

All I can say is thank god it doesn't actually matter what you think on this issue.

Dog in a manger attitude.

This is the most absurd argument I have ever heard.

Firstly often all flight deck seats are taken. So no tech crew don't care when they are no extra seats. There is no issue about not having a spare seat.

Secondly it is not your seat they are taking, it is a spare one. One that on some aircraft doesn't even exist. Do you refuse to fly when there is no spare seat. Do you refuse to fly when you carry extra CC. Do you refuse to fly when the flight is full so no spare seats in the cabin?

Tech crew have been gladly giving away flight deck seats to everyone, including CC for years. There is never a problem about not having a spare seat in the flight deck to get to in a hurry. Seats are there to be used, not there to be empty "just in case".

Tech crew have never viewed the extra seats in the flight deck as operational spares in case of turbulence. It is frankly ludicrous that you even suggest a spare crew seat in the cabin should be viewed this way.

Why is it there is never a problem asking a captain for a spare flight deck seat or spare tech crew rest seat (e.g. A330 which is in the cabin area not the flight deck). But there is a god almighty fuss if the CC think they might be helping someone out?

Even now most CC prefer asking the tech crew for the use of spare seats rather than using CC rest seats. It is an absolutely appalling attitude some of us CC have. I am ashamed.

You all bang on about having a seat available when there is turbulence but the majority of you take a hell of a lot longer than the 1 minute from seat belt sign on to be seated. I sit there and watch it time and time again. Don't go the double standard just to suit your argument.
I have never refused a jump seat or use of the Tech crew rest when it is available. I have had occasion when one of the group said no from the CC. Very sad when you know it really could help someone out. It is about helping each other out. Sounds like we can't win whatever way we turn on this.