The Quiet Ones
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This subject has come up several times in the Pax/SLF forum, usually with similar results to those seen here.
The simple truth is that every flight contains a large group of humans who, true to their genetic make-up, are individuals, with varying perceptions of what is important based on their life experience up to that point. Any action on the PA, which is by definition an instrument for mass communication will result in some individuals feeling that it is inappropriate - too little or too much. Finding a balance that meets the needs of everybody is virtually impossible, although extremes at either end, as discussed in this thread, will nearly always upset most people.
The simple truth is that every flight contains a large group of humans who, true to their genetic make-up, are individuals, with varying perceptions of what is important based on their life experience up to that point. Any action on the PA, which is by definition an instrument for mass communication will result in some individuals feeling that it is inappropriate - too little or too much. Finding a balance that meets the needs of everybody is virtually impossible, although extremes at either end, as discussed in this thread, will nearly always upset most people.
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ACARS, i'm sure Flapsforty and others have no issues with you asking questions. I'm not Cabin Crew, as many others who lurk in the CC forum aren't... and I haven't been kicked out (
) so I'll assume us outsiders are welcome (for the moment anyway 
)
We love reasonable questions from "SLF", however your third post (the one Flapsforty was refering to) shows that despite being given some fairly detailed answers, you continue to say the crew were in the wrong. You haven't asked a genuine question... if you had, you'd have been happy with the multiple answers. You were trying to make a point.
The Cabin Crew usually couldn't care less what the pilots say in a "routine" P.A. (As Cabin Crew have their ears turned off for the pilot announcement!) I am impressed that Flapsforty has managed to retrain herself to keep her ears turned on! It is no skin off their nose if the flight crew make a P.A or not.
Coming into a Cabin Crew forum to say that Pilots are being bad by not making PA's is a little pointless. There are other forums for telling pilots they are being bad!
You say that you've flown the same route for years, twice a week. In all that time, how often have they not made a P.A? If it is once, I think you really need to consider that in all that time, to not get a P.A ONCE is pretty good going.
For what its worth, I agree that we should be making P.A's, and the VAST majority of pilots (even the ones who don't want to) DO make P.A's. Very rarely, we are too busy, or yes, sometimes we forget. We are human, and do make mistakes (despite what we tell the Cabin Crew)
) so I'll assume us outsiders are welcome (for the moment anyway ) We love reasonable questions from "SLF", however your third post (the one Flapsforty was refering to) shows that despite being given some fairly detailed answers, you continue to say the crew were in the wrong. You haven't asked a genuine question... if you had, you'd have been happy with the multiple answers. You were trying to make a point.
The Cabin Crew usually couldn't care less what the pilots say in a "routine" P.A. (As Cabin Crew have their ears turned off for the pilot announcement!) I am impressed that Flapsforty has managed to retrain herself to keep her ears turned on! It is no skin off their nose if the flight crew make a P.A or not.
Coming into a Cabin Crew forum to say that Pilots are being bad by not making PA's is a little pointless. There are other forums for telling pilots they are being bad!
You say that you've flown the same route for years, twice a week. In all that time, how often have they not made a P.A? If it is once, I think you really need to consider that in all that time, to not get a P.A ONCE is pretty good going.
For what its worth, I agree that we should be making P.A's, and the VAST majority of pilots (even the ones who don't want to) DO make P.A's. Very rarely, we are too busy, or yes, sometimes we forget. We are human, and do make mistakes (despite what we tell the Cabin Crew
)
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Guilty as charged again!
Oh bwoy, lost the count i (as a CC) didn't pay attention to the F/D's PA. I am ever so sorry, but between handrails down, head count, cross check with the dispatcher, closing doors and asking JU's to confirm doors for departure, bugger me if i have time and/or give a monkey re F/D's PAs.
But sometimes, during taxiing, i ding them and ask " guys, have you done your PA?" I only ask them that when and if everything's ran smoothly and there were no PAs: no bad weather, no issues with the take off performance analysis in said bad weather, no waiting and/or arguing with the handling agent for the de-icing rig, no trainees in the right seat.
During the cruise, i still don't give a monkey's if the F/D makes a PA or not. Pax should know where are they taking off from and where are they going to land; if anyone asks me "which mountains are we flying over" i am more than happy to come back with an answer after I've asked the pilots; i am no walking Encyclopedia, all i know is pax safety and FA drills and that's enough; I am NOT a tour guide!
As for
Until you fly up to i.e. 30hrs for 5 days, as CC or Flight Crew, may i just say you know NOTHING about flying Sir (see above)
Customer service... Since when do pilots have to provide customer service, in your terms? It's like moaning about the landing in cross winds (it was the most dreadful landing i ever experienced darling, make sure you pass that on to the Captain - say it with the appropriate "posh" accent); tell you what: not only you walked out of it unharmed, but do us a favor and how about you land it next time?
There is a defined line between pax and air crew; bankers and their customers; doctors and their patients. Know your place and rights and get on with it.
Simples
Rgds,
ATS
Oh bwoy, lost the count i (as a CC) didn't pay attention to the F/D's PA. I am ever so sorry, but between handrails down, head count, cross check with the dispatcher, closing doors and asking JU's to confirm doors for departure, bugger me if i have time and/or give a monkey re F/D's PAs.
But sometimes, during taxiing, i ding them and ask " guys, have you done your PA?" I only ask them that when and if everything's ran smoothly and there were no PAs: no bad weather, no issues with the take off performance analysis in said bad weather, no waiting and/or arguing with the handling agent for the de-icing rig, no trainees in the right seat.
During the cruise, i still don't give a monkey's if the F/D makes a PA or not. Pax should know where are they taking off from and where are they going to land; if anyone asks me "which mountains are we flying over" i am more than happy to come back with an answer after I've asked the pilots; i am no walking Encyclopedia, all i know is pax safety and FA drills and that's enough; I am NOT a tour guide!
As for
I have flown twice a week for two years on the same airline/same route. I know enough about flying to know that one of them should have found two minutes to speak to the passengers.
Customer service... Since when do pilots have to provide customer service, in your terms? It's like moaning about the landing in cross winds (it was the most dreadful landing i ever experienced darling, make sure you pass that on to the Captain - say it with the appropriate "posh" accent); tell you what: not only you walked out of it unharmed, but do us a favor and how about you land it next time?
There is a defined line between pax and air crew; bankers and their customers; doctors and their patients. Know your place and rights and get on with it.
Simples
Rgds,
ATS
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Our ops manual dictates I WILL speak to you before departure. it is a safety issue. Apparently all pax will listen to me and will recognise my voice should I order an evacuation.
Our ops manual also states I MAY talk to you at any point during the flight (but not during climb or descent unless absolutely essential). No matter how anxious you are about knowing the expected arrival time or the temperature at your destination, non of this is a safety issue and for me flying the aeroplane has the higher priority. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
If we get told to descent 50 miles before we were planning to, that little window I had for a PA is gone. A shame, but not a safety issue.
Did you have a safe flight, ACARS?
Our ops manual also states I MAY talk to you at any point during the flight (but not during climb or descent unless absolutely essential). No matter how anxious you are about knowing the expected arrival time or the temperature at your destination, non of this is a safety issue and for me flying the aeroplane has the higher priority. Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.
If we get told to descent 50 miles before we were planning to, that little window I had for a PA is gone. A shame, but not a safety issue.
Did you have a safe flight, ACARS?
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One BA pilot who used to fly the LHR to BFS shuttles had a great line of patter for his pre-take off announcement. One beautiful summer's evening in the late 1990's we were flying back on the last flight of the day. Concorde was just in front of us so we had to wait while it took off. The sheer power of its engines made our Boeing 737 vibrate and he came on the intercom with some witty comments about this followed by an amusing description of our flightplan. I don't remember it all but one comment stuck in my mind. He explained we would make a sharp turn immediately after take-off. This was necessary, he said, because travelling in a straight line would result in us landing in America which he was sure was not part our travel plans. Everyone laughed and there's no doubt it helped nervous flyers relax. As a passenger I do understand the flight crew are very busy but if the pilot has warned you about turbulence during the intial climb it does give you a greater sense of security when the aircraft is swaying around. The same thing applies if it's going to be a bumpy approach.
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But the very same thing can happen when you tavel on 'my' airline.
Explanation of how things work at my mob:
- Before every stretch, the pilots decide who will be the Pilot Flying and who will be the Pilot not Flying.
- The PF (Pilot Flying) does the taxiing, flying & looking out of the window with everything that entails, from pushback to on-blocks. (very simplified, pilots feel free to expand)
- The PnF is also very busy and will do many things. Among them keeping an eye on the PF and the instruments, read the checklists, do the Radio Transmissions, do the call-outs, dial & preset frequencies, pre-set the v and l-nav buttons, type into the flight management computer and other systems, check the manuals if needed, send ACARS massages and do the public address to the passengers.
If on a particular stretch the Captain is the PF and the First Officer is the PnF, the FO will be the one making all the PAs.
Unless something out of the ordinary happens and the Captain feels that the pax specifically need to hear from him/her since he/she is the ultimately responsible and final authority on every flight.
Now you know a little more about what can go on ´up there´
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JohnR,
Different companies, different rules. In my company it is normal for the captain to do the welcome PA and after that it is the PF who makes the remaining PA's (top of climb, before top of descent). However it does occasionally happen that the F/O also makes the welcome PA. Nothing to worry about.
Added to meet Flapsfoty's request in the Questions thread.
In 'my' UK airline, we decide before going to the aircraft who is pilot flying (PF) and Pilot Non Flying (PNF). The PNF does the walk around and part of the paperwork in the flgiht deck. The PF in the meantime prepares the aircraft for its flight, i.e. loads the flight plan into the computer etc.
The captain will do the pushback, engine start and taxying. Once lined up on the runway he/she hands over control to the F/O (if he is the PF) and the F/O does the take-off, climb, cruise, descent and landing. During the landing roll out the captain takes control and taxies to the gate.
The PF does all the flying and the PNF does the paperwork during the cruise, listens to the weather, speaks to air traffic control, company and handling agents.
That is in broad terms how the workload is divided in 'my' company.
CEJM
Different companies, different rules. In my company it is normal for the captain to do the welcome PA and after that it is the PF who makes the remaining PA's (top of climb, before top of descent). However it does occasionally happen that the F/O also makes the welcome PA. Nothing to worry about.
Added to meet Flapsfoty's request in the Questions thread.
In 'my' UK airline, we decide before going to the aircraft who is pilot flying (PF) and Pilot Non Flying (PNF). The PNF does the walk around and part of the paperwork in the flgiht deck. The PF in the meantime prepares the aircraft for its flight, i.e. loads the flight plan into the computer etc.
The captain will do the pushback, engine start and taxying. Once lined up on the runway he/she hands over control to the F/O (if he is the PF) and the F/O does the take-off, climb, cruise, descent and landing. During the landing roll out the captain takes control and taxies to the gate.
The PF does all the flying and the PNF does the paperwork during the cruise, listens to the weather, speaks to air traffic control, company and handling agents.
That is in broad terms how the workload is divided in 'my' company.
CEJM
Last edited by CEJM; 23rd Feb 2009 at 10:43.
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I must confess its not the sort of thing that worries me, but I do like a pilot with a sense of humour!
Recall a rather hairy landing at Gatters on CX once. On the way down the plane was all over the shop (the pilot had warned it was going to be a bumpy descent), but the landing itself was a real greaser.
The pilot came on and said, "Welcome to Gatwick.....Good landing, wasn't it?!" Happy smiles all round.
As we trundled to the gate the pilot came on, "Ladies and gentlemen. It has just been pointed out to me in the strongest possible terms that the landing was performed by my FO Cap'n xxxxxx." In the background of the announcement was an ironic cheer and the sound of handclapping.
More smiles all round.
Recall a rather hairy landing at Gatters on CX once. On the way down the plane was all over the shop (the pilot had warned it was going to be a bumpy descent), but the landing itself was a real greaser.
The pilot came on and said, "Welcome to Gatwick.....Good landing, wasn't it?!" Happy smiles all round.
As we trundled to the gate the pilot came on, "Ladies and gentlemen. It has just been pointed out to me in the strongest possible terms that the landing was performed by my FO Cap'n xxxxxx." In the background of the announcement was an ironic cheer and the sound of handclapping.
More smiles all round.
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Until you fly up to i.e. 30hrs for 5 days, as CC or Flight Crew, may i just say you know NOTHING about flying Sir
Coming into a Cabin Crew forum to say that Pilots are being bad by not making PA's is a little pointless. There are other forums for telling pilots they are being bad!
Everyone is different and whilst being hammered with 30hrs a week might reinforce simple lessons and concepts in YOUR head, it may not be necessarily be something other people need in order to catch onto the way things work in an airplane.
ACARS, your attempt to start a war hasn't quite worked out but you never know,
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Yes, your original question was about what do CC think about this... your second and third posts, however, showed that despite getting answers from CC and pilots, you kept pushing the line that the pilots were behaving in an unacceptable manner. That is why I said if you want to abuse pilots, the Cabin Crew forum is a silly place to do it. Not many pilots are brave enough to lurk in these Cabin Crew halls!
I think your answer, in a nutshell, is that most think that it is preferable for a PA to be made, but acknowledge that sometimes it isn't practical. We have also learned that Cabin Crew don't actually listen to PA's made from the flightdeck (Unless they are particulally important).
A question for you (a serious one... unusual I know) - Would you rather take a 2 minute delay at the gate before pushback to hear the pilot say welcome on board, or would you rather they said nothing and you departed on time?
For a laugh go ask 411A (a self confessed experienced aviator who I think might still live in a time where political correctness hasn't been invented) in the Questions forum what he thinks of your question about PA's.
I think your answer, in a nutshell, is that most think that it is preferable for a PA to be made, but acknowledge that sometimes it isn't practical. We have also learned that Cabin Crew don't actually listen to PA's made from the flightdeck
(Unless they are particulally important).A question for you (a serious one... unusual I know) - Would you rather take a 2 minute delay at the gate before pushback to hear the pilot say welcome on board, or would you rather they said nothing and you departed on time?
For a laugh go ask 411A (a self confessed experienced aviator who I think might still live in a time where political correctness hasn't been invented) in the Questions forum what he thinks of your question about PA's.
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I have operated a flight before whereby the autopilot wasn't working correctly and so the flight crew had a lot more work to do and as a consequence had no time to inform the pax and they weren't about to worry everyone by saying that they had a problem so it's was a quiet sector from the front. Their workload had suddenly gone thru the roof for the poor guys and although it wasn't an emergency situation, it just meant they had no time for niceties.
Maybe your experience was down to something like that. Something you were totally unaware of. Something that was important! Not hearing a PA isn't the end of the world and sometimes you need to think outside of the box. Making comments to the crew about what goes on the other side of that door which nobody apart from the pilots is aware of, is pretty rude and will do yourself no favours. Coming on here asking if it is "inexcusable" that you didn't get a PA is going to be met with a plain and simple, no and also the sort of comment you have received. Surely you can expect nothing else?
Maybe your experience was down to something like that. Something you were totally unaware of. Something that was important! Not hearing a PA isn't the end of the world and sometimes you need to think outside of the box. Making comments to the crew about what goes on the other side of that door which nobody apart from the pilots is aware of, is pretty rude and will do yourself no favours. Coming on here asking if it is "inexcusable" that you didn't get a PA is going to be met with a plain and simple, no and also the sort of comment you have received. Surely you can expect nothing else?
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Making comments to the crew about what goes on the other side of that door which nobody apart from the pilots is aware of, is pretty rude and will do yourself no favours. Coming on here asking if it is "inexcusable" that you didn't get a PA is going to be met with a plain and simple, no and also the sort of comment you have received. Surely you can expect nothing else?
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I remember once a very young and overly enthusic capt (American), asking me what type of passengers we were carrying. Flight was a charter MAN/MCO std 0600,operated by ATA. I told him they would be usual north of england,take it or leave it, pretty resourceful types,who were mostly still half asleap. He gave me a wry smile. We boarded all pax, they settled down into their seats, dispatcher just signing off last bit of paperwork and engineer doing the same. Then the pa blurted out in a real southern texan KFC type accent 'Good mornin ladies, gentleman and kiddies. Welcome onboard American Transair flight 123 from Manchester Uk to Nashville Tennesse USofA. Your non stop red eye special........................' Over 70% of the passengers shot up and got off the aircraft, thinking either they were on the wrong flight or that the Capt was a fruit cake.
It took quite some time for everyone to be convinced that it was ok to reboard and then finally when they did a very, very embarrassed Capt made a very,very apologetic pa. Just proves that passengers DO listen to those PA's !!!
It took quite some time for everyone to be convinced that it was ok to reboard and then finally when they did a very, very embarrassed Capt made a very,very apologetic pa. Just proves that passengers DO listen to those PA's !!!
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Yeah, Or can't be bothered?
Coming from experience, I think some crews have forgotten that this job is about making the pax feel wanted, relaxed, And it to be a 'Fun' experience for all frequent or infrequent flyer.
I can symphathise with Conan and Acars on some of their points they raised.
'Cheshire' Kitty you are obviously a young & inexperienced CC? But I don't agree with what you said, About not communicating with your customers?
Are you frightened of being yourself?
Some of the crews I have known, Have not been themselves on the job, And pretended to be something that they are not.
How long does it take to make a PA - 40 seconds?
Like any where you get some really interesting crew, Then you also get some real 'Boring' types who cannot make or hold a conversation whatsoever.
Dare I say it but I think some of these communication & service problems are common in some of the 'temp' summer 6 month CC who know that they are only going to be working at XX Airline for 6 months then down the road, So they may feel that they can behave how they want, Because they won't get a 'Perm' job anyway?
I have seen some 'temp' Charter CC first hand behave immaturely when in a large 'temp' crew, Getting giddy, And going beyond being funny/amusing all in front of their seated audience!!
I was a pax on a well known 'Loco' carrier last year, And the experience was unbelievable and an embarrasment to the excellent work the full time CC do!
I have even considered not flying on their 757's again.
But then obviously my choice of flights will be limited.
At the end of the day the pax just want the basics, A - B, Good service a bonus if excellent service is provided.
Friendly and attentitive CC, Who just be themselves, And not have the 'Dominant' hardfaced & look at me I'm lovely attitude - the pax aren't bothered about all that anymore - maybe 30 years ago!!
I know for some CC and regular flying pax the job is 'Teedious' but don't forget some of your pax are not so fortunate and have never flown before, And they are in your care.
The job is still publicly viewed as a luxury compared to working in an office 9-5?
Coming from experience, I think some crews have forgotten that this job is about making the pax feel wanted, relaxed, And it to be a 'Fun' experience for all frequent or infrequent flyer.
I can symphathise with Conan and Acars on some of their points they raised.
'Cheshire' Kitty you are obviously a young & inexperienced CC? But I don't agree with what you said, About not communicating with your customers?
Are you frightened of being yourself?
Some of the crews I have known, Have not been themselves on the job, And pretended to be something that they are not.
How long does it take to make a PA - 40 seconds?
Like any where you get some really interesting crew, Then you also get some real 'Boring' types who cannot make or hold a conversation whatsoever.
Dare I say it but I think some of these communication & service problems are common in some of the 'temp' summer 6 month CC who know that they are only going to be working at XX Airline for 6 months then down the road, So they may feel that they can behave how they want, Because they won't get a 'Perm' job anyway?
I have seen some 'temp' Charter CC first hand behave immaturely when in a large 'temp' crew, Getting giddy, And going beyond being funny/amusing all in front of their seated audience!!
I was a pax on a well known 'Loco' carrier last year, And the experience was unbelievable and an embarrasment to the excellent work the full time CC do!
I have even considered not flying on their 757's again.
But then obviously my choice of flights will be limited.
At the end of the day the pax just want the basics, A - B, Good service a bonus if excellent service is provided.
Friendly and attentitive CC, Who just be themselves, And not have the 'Dominant' hardfaced & look at me I'm lovely attitude - the pax aren't bothered about all that anymore - maybe 30 years ago!!
I know for some CC and regular flying pax the job is 'Teedious' but don't forget some of your pax are not so fortunate and have never flown before, And they are in your care.
The job is still publicly viewed as a luxury compared to working in an office 9-5?
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Just wanted to add my tuppence.....
This is simply about prioritisation.
Please understand that flying takes a lot of mental concentration. A modern airplane is not like driving a car; it is about detail, accurate proceedure and concentration. Sometimes, when minor things go wrong it might be the first time either the PF or PnF have ever expereicned the situation in live and airbourne, and in that instance we have formal proceedures to follow that require accuracy, process, dilligence and concentration.
My airline encourages us to make FD announcements and give us latitude in what we say. However, time does not always allow that. Circumstances even on the stand can dictate we simply don't have the time, or more importantly, the mental bandwidth- especially when you are concentrating on loadings, fueling, hitting your slot etc.
If we're flying from somewhere like LHR then it's easier to use the PA as we know the taxiways, proceedures, our colleagues and so on like the back of our hands- if we're downroute then our first priority is safety. So again, brain needed to do other things.
Also, upstairs- when you're in the cruise, it really depends on time of flight and so on- some pax want to hear things, some don't and to an extent you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. People will moan if their film/meal/snooze is distrubed. Also, often on the climb there's quite a bit to deal with, so again brain is engaged in driving. And on descent there's loads to deal with, so unless you're in an interminable holding pattern, again, my priority is a safe landing. And, things change all the time during that time that need the correct reaction and response- it's not like driving down the M1.
However, I relalise some are nervous and some just want to be informed, so if we have time and have something interesting to say, then we'll chip in. And we do have a sense of humour.
Lastly, IMHO, the majority of pax would not know good airmanship if it slapped them in the face. So comments about landings and so on should be ignored, as are gripes about PA announcements. I've yet to hear a pax say "Well, we had a prang, a few of us got out of it alive, but hell that skipper's a wag- he was cracking us with his witty one liners up as it all went tits up".
So my take on this is simple; my first and only priority is to get you there in one piece. If I do that, I have fulfilled every professional obligation I have. And very lastly, just for the record, in no part in my job description does it mention being a paid entertainer.
This is simply about prioritisation.
Please understand that flying takes a lot of mental concentration. A modern airplane is not like driving a car; it is about detail, accurate proceedure and concentration. Sometimes, when minor things go wrong it might be the first time either the PF or PnF have ever expereicned the situation in live and airbourne, and in that instance we have formal proceedures to follow that require accuracy, process, dilligence and concentration.
My airline encourages us to make FD announcements and give us latitude in what we say. However, time does not always allow that. Circumstances even on the stand can dictate we simply don't have the time, or more importantly, the mental bandwidth- especially when you are concentrating on loadings, fueling, hitting your slot etc.
If we're flying from somewhere like LHR then it's easier to use the PA as we know the taxiways, proceedures, our colleagues and so on like the back of our hands- if we're downroute then our first priority is safety. So again, brain needed to do other things.
Also, upstairs- when you're in the cruise, it really depends on time of flight and so on- some pax want to hear things, some don't and to an extent you're damned if you do and damned if you don't. People will moan if their film/meal/snooze is distrubed. Also, often on the climb there's quite a bit to deal with, so again brain is engaged in driving. And on descent there's loads to deal with, so unless you're in an interminable holding pattern, again, my priority is a safe landing. And, things change all the time during that time that need the correct reaction and response- it's not like driving down the M1.
However, I relalise some are nervous and some just want to be informed, so if we have time and have something interesting to say, then we'll chip in. And we do have a sense of humour.
Lastly, IMHO, the majority of pax would not know good airmanship if it slapped them in the face. So comments about landings and so on should be ignored, as are gripes about PA announcements. I've yet to hear a pax say "Well, we had a prang, a few of us got out of it alive, but hell that skipper's a wag- he was cracking us with his witty one liners up as it all went tits up".
So my take on this is simple; my first and only priority is to get you there in one piece. If I do that, I have fulfilled every professional obligation I have. And very lastly, just for the record, in no part in my job description does it mention being a paid entertainer.
Last edited by VS-Toga; 27th Feb 2009 at 18:12.
The view from the flight deck?
In an ideal world we'll speak to you before we start the engines and push back and again in the cruise.
End of the day, if we need to bust a groove to beat the aircraft next to us to the push back or to meet a slot we'll leave it to the ever capable cabin crew to brief you on the important safety instructions and the less important flight times.
In the cruise we'll normally have time to speak to you. Not entirely sure a seasoned traveller needs us to tell them that we're at 36 thousand feet and making good progress to x with an on time arrival expected. The weather at the airport being fine for our approach but otherwise not a hugely useful prediction of weather in the surrounding area. The ever popular "We're passing over z, but it's dark and we're flying above thick cloud" speech isn't a huge amount of use to the tourist or the business traveller.
If you are interested feel free to ask the cabin crew questions such as "Where are we?" "What route are we flying?" "What type of engines are on this aircraft?" You may get funny looks, but we'll normally try and give you a sensible answer or a badly drawn diagram....
If it's stormy/snowing or foggy and you don't hear from us it's more likely we're busy working out the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th option for where to take the aircraft. Yes we want you to enjoy your flight, but getting you to the most suitable airport is our main priority.
End of the day our main job is to get you to where you want to be as safely and as quickly as possible. If we can add extra value to your flight we'll try. We aren't ignoring you for the hell of it, we're probably working out how long we can sit in the hold before we divert and speaking to our operations department to find out which airport has the best facilities to look after you and get you to your orginal destination from our diversion airfield.
End of the day, if we need to bust a groove to beat the aircraft next to us to the push back or to meet a slot we'll leave it to the ever capable cabin crew to brief you on the important safety instructions and the less important flight times.
In the cruise we'll normally have time to speak to you. Not entirely sure a seasoned traveller needs us to tell them that we're at 36 thousand feet and making good progress to x with an on time arrival expected. The weather at the airport being fine for our approach but otherwise not a hugely useful prediction of weather in the surrounding area. The ever popular "We're passing over z, but it's dark and we're flying above thick cloud" speech isn't a huge amount of use to the tourist or the business traveller.
If you are interested feel free to ask the cabin crew questions such as "Where are we?" "What route are we flying?" "What type of engines are on this aircraft?" You may get funny looks, but we'll normally try and give you a sensible answer or a badly drawn diagram....
If it's stormy/snowing or foggy and you don't hear from us it's more likely we're busy working out the 2nd, 3rd or even 4th option for where to take the aircraft. Yes we want you to enjoy your flight, but getting you to the most suitable airport is our main priority.
End of the day our main job is to get you to where you want to be as safely and as quickly as possible. If we can add extra value to your flight we'll try. We aren't ignoring you for the hell of it, we're probably working out how long we can sit in the hold before we divert and speaking to our operations department to find out which airport has the best facilities to look after you and get you to your orginal destination from our diversion airfield.
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Oz
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You guys...
Funny thread.
Some of you guys are very precious; I'm not sure how you can get out of bed and face the day.
BYALPHAINDIA: Your post was the best so far
I never knew until I read it that I'm NOT meant to get pax from A to B in a safe and timely manner, I'm meant to:
How could I have been so wrong? 
I can't understand your problem with 'Cheshire kitty', as I can't see anywhere where he/she said that they were CC?
After that, your post goes into a decline.
But... Funny stuff guys; keep it coming.
SYKES:
P.S. Oh yes, please come to Australia and make comments/complaints like these to the CC. (But only if you really like being laughed at.)
Some of you guys are very precious; I'm not sure how you can get out of bed and face the day.
BYALPHAINDIA: Your post was the best so far
I never knew until I read it that I'm NOT meant to get pax from A to B in a safe and timely manner, I'm meant to:
I think some crews have forgotten that this job is about making the pax feel wanted, relaxed, And it to be a 'Fun' experience for all frequent or infrequent flyer.
I can't understand your problem with 'Cheshire kitty', as I can't see anywhere where he/she said that they were CC?
After that, your post goes into a decline.
But... Funny stuff guys; keep it coming.
SYKES:
P.S. Oh yes, please come to Australia and make comments/complaints like these to the CC. (But only if you really like being laughed at.)
Last edited by Sykes; 27th Feb 2009 at 04:43.
