If a purser introduce him or herself as an Inflight manager in the first PA???
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Originally Posted by Slasher
...not to mention PA volume levels so damn loud it must
be assumed by many Pursers most pax belong to the Foundation
For The Deaf!
be assumed by many Pursers most pax belong to the Foundation
For The Deaf!
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No the Purser has no direct control of PA volume on the FAP
of an Airbus Tightslut, but a quick writeup in the Cabin Log
can get the gingers to bring it down a decibel or thousand.
Many of 'em don't bother.
of an Airbus Tightslut, but a quick writeup in the Cabin Log
can get the gingers to bring it down a decibel or thousand.
Many of 'em don't bother.
'We do often have a choice to be there (e.g. going on hols), but most pax I speak with find flying either boring or a little scary and regard the flight as a necessary evil, rather than a great experience.'
Exactly: no passenger is going to spot the significance of who makes the first or last PA or understand the nuances of a proclaimed role/job title. I do feel announcements from the FD have become less in recent years which is a pity: think you may underestimate the significant difference the PAX attribute to announcements from the FD as opposed to the CC. In the end it makes no difference though, we still pay, get on and complain.
Exactly: no passenger is going to spot the significance of who makes the first or last PA or understand the nuances of a proclaimed role/job title. I do feel announcements from the FD have become less in recent years which is a pity: think you may underestimate the significant difference the PAX attribute to announcements from the FD as opposed to the CC. In the end it makes no difference though, we still pay, get on and complain.
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If you mean that the highest ranking member of the cabin crew equals the captain, then that is not the case in any airline I know of.
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Manager
I don't really see how any crew member is a "Manager". All have very well defined job definitions. A captain gives orders if needed to flight crew and only needs be concerned with the cabin if there is a problem that may require him/her alter the planned flight occasionally needed to take responsibility for a CC decision the purser is not comfortable with. A purser is more of a working supervisor or "lead flight attendant", should be capable of making just about all inflight decisions concerning the cabin, service and safety.
"inflight manager" gives me a visual of a flight attendant sitting behind a desk just behind the cockpit door keeping track of galley supply??
"inflight manager" gives me a visual of a flight attendant sitting behind a desk just behind the cockpit door keeping track of galley supply??
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Perhaps the need for a manager depends on the size of the aircraft. I imagine that the A380 is very much in need of a manager down the back to keep a fairly large cabin staff working in harmony...
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Bond'll do......re: First P.A. onboard
Just to share a funny old story and that explains my 'handle' here on PPrune.
Many moons ago, I was asked by the 'A' lady (person who made the initial welcome aboard P.A's on BOAC/BA longhaul) and perhaps still does, how I would like to be addressed on the P.A. It was a particularly busy pre-flight time in the cockpit with various technical 'snags' to deal with and I replied "Bond ('ll) aka 'will do'". Some Captains liked to use their first names as well.
So, my nickname stuck as 'Capt. Bond'll do' and stayed with me the rest of my career.
hahahah....many Captains in those days somehow 'earned a nickname'. As did many of the seniour cabin crew.
To me, it was a quasi-legal procedure/policy with BOAC/BA that to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations a member of the crew was required to state the flight number and destination. Yes, despite security/gate admin checks then (and possibly now) one used to get the odd 'stray' passenger on the wrong flight!
Then there was the quasi-legalese to issue warnings about care with overhead baggage, no-smoking policy, the upcoming safety announcement etc.,
As has been highlighted already, the actual 'title' of the crew member wasn't particularly of importance. On BOAC/BA longhaul the 'A' lady/gent worked at D1L and amongst other duties, was responsible for 'a'nnouncements.
This 'A' person used to come up to the cockpit and ask for an 'actual' estimated flight time to share this with passengers as well. (as the 'scheduled' flight time often differed considerably from the planned or 'actual' FT).
Whoever was in charge of the cabin services also used to come up to the flight deck and formally introduce themselves. In the late BOAC/early BA days this person was called (probably from Cunard shipping days/and flying boats) the Cabin Services Officer or Seniour Cabin Services Officer (CSO or SCSO) who wore 4 gold stripes on their uniforms. Pursers wore 3, Junior Stewards/Stewardesses wore 2.
In terms of what is now called 'Crew Resource Management' in it's wider scale than perhaps nowadays, we usually worked as a team both on and off the aircraft. The CSO would generally be in charge of 'entertainment' off the aircraft during the 'layovers' or days off at destination/en-route stopover.
I feel that I could write a book on the intricacies and subtleties of these things....however....I shall not.
All I will share in response is that a mature 'A' lady or gent would give the passengers the required welcome onboard. I or my co-pilot would then briefly introduce ourselves usually before takeoff and share a bit about the journey, as planned, such as routeing information or any expected delays/weather, then introduce the seniour cabin crew member. The only other time I would generally speak to passengers was personally on a 'walk-about' of the whole aircraft starting off in First Class and working my way around to chat to those that seemed to wish to chat. Obviously this is sadly pre-9/11 days.
During that walkabout, if anyone, especially children/parents expressed an interest in seeing the flight-deck, we would arrange that with the cabin crew for a suitable time after my walk-about. This was the 'norm'. The walk-about was usually well into the flight after all passengers had been served their drinks/meal.
I used to take written notes of any particular passenger concerns or problems and hand these to the CSO/CSD to deal with personally after my walkabout.
On very very few occasions did i feel it necessary to intervene with perhaps a seniour crew member with 'poor' attitude or such situation. 95% percent of the time, we all worked as a team and respected each other as Professionals.
I trust that this reply goes some way to address the posted question. Most Captains want to work with all cabin crew to achieve a safe and happy flight environment and reciprocally. On a personal note, I do miss (as I am now a passenger) somewhat the mature voice of a trained/experienced person on the aircraft P.A. system.
I like genuine and well-spoken P.A.'s without 'sing-song' and inauthentic announcements as if they are read out of a book or with poor command of actually speaking to real people in the language required for stylish and succinct customer service.
For those that are required to make announcements both on airlines or wherever....it does help to 'assume' that when one is making these announcements that one is talking to a friend. When one is able to do that, one has the 'customer' on your side and holds your confidence and trust that the announcee is a professional human being.
Warmest Regards to all in my sharing of this.
Sincerely,
Many moons ago, I was asked by the 'A' lady (person who made the initial welcome aboard P.A's on BOAC/BA longhaul) and perhaps still does, how I would like to be addressed on the P.A. It was a particularly busy pre-flight time in the cockpit with various technical 'snags' to deal with and I replied "Bond ('ll) aka 'will do'". Some Captains liked to use their first names as well.
So, my nickname stuck as 'Capt. Bond'll do' and stayed with me the rest of my career.
hahahah....many Captains in those days somehow 'earned a nickname'. As did many of the seniour cabin crew. To me, it was a quasi-legal procedure/policy with BOAC/BA that to comply with Civil Aviation Authority regulations a member of the crew was required to state the flight number and destination. Yes, despite security/gate admin checks then (and possibly now) one used to get the odd 'stray' passenger on the wrong flight!
Then there was the quasi-legalese to issue warnings about care with overhead baggage, no-smoking policy, the upcoming safety announcement etc.,
As has been highlighted already, the actual 'title' of the crew member wasn't particularly of importance. On BOAC/BA longhaul the 'A' lady/gent worked at D1L and amongst other duties, was responsible for 'a'nnouncements.
This 'A' person used to come up to the cockpit and ask for an 'actual' estimated flight time to share this with passengers as well. (as the 'scheduled' flight time often differed considerably from the planned or 'actual' FT).
Whoever was in charge of the cabin services also used to come up to the flight deck and formally introduce themselves. In the late BOAC/early BA days this person was called (probably from Cunard shipping days/and flying boats) the Cabin Services Officer or Seniour Cabin Services Officer (CSO or SCSO) who wore 4 gold stripes on their uniforms. Pursers wore 3, Junior Stewards/Stewardesses wore 2.
In terms of what is now called 'Crew Resource Management' in it's wider scale than perhaps nowadays, we usually worked as a team both on and off the aircraft. The CSO would generally be in charge of 'entertainment' off the aircraft during the 'layovers' or days off at destination/en-route stopover.
I feel that I could write a book on the intricacies and subtleties of these things....however....I shall not.
All I will share in response is that a mature 'A' lady or gent would give the passengers the required welcome onboard. I or my co-pilot would then briefly introduce ourselves usually before takeoff and share a bit about the journey, as planned, such as routeing information or any expected delays/weather, then introduce the seniour cabin crew member. The only other time I would generally speak to passengers was personally on a 'walk-about' of the whole aircraft starting off in First Class and working my way around to chat to those that seemed to wish to chat. Obviously this is sadly pre-9/11 days.
During that walkabout, if anyone, especially children/parents expressed an interest in seeing the flight-deck, we would arrange that with the cabin crew for a suitable time after my walk-about. This was the 'norm'. The walk-about was usually well into the flight after all passengers had been served their drinks/meal.
I used to take written notes of any particular passenger concerns or problems and hand these to the CSO/CSD to deal with personally after my walkabout.
On very very few occasions did i feel it necessary to intervene with perhaps a seniour crew member with 'poor' attitude or such situation. 95% percent of the time, we all worked as a team and respected each other as Professionals.
I trust that this reply goes some way to address the posted question. Most Captains want to work with all cabin crew to achieve a safe and happy flight environment and reciprocally. On a personal note, I do miss (as I am now a passenger) somewhat the mature voice of a trained/experienced person on the aircraft P.A. system.
I like genuine and well-spoken P.A.'s without 'sing-song' and inauthentic announcements as if they are read out of a book or with poor command of actually speaking to real people in the language required for stylish and succinct customer service.
For those that are required to make announcements both on airlines or wherever....it does help to 'assume' that when one is making these announcements that one is talking to a friend. When one is able to do that, one has the 'customer' on your side and holds your confidence and trust that the announcee is a professional human being.
Warmest Regards to all in my sharing of this.
Sincerely,
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Bond'll do
Thank you for sharing your experience. I hold a high reguard for the aviation culture that you were a part of. I have fond memories of many flight and cabin crew in my early career that I worked with as a flight mechanic. Now in the package freight world I feel far disconnected from even the flight crew I only see at the gate, we may as well be working for 2 different companies.
I used to look at our PAX charters I worked as a pain in the arse but now have only proud memories of of them!
I used to look at our PAX charters I worked as a pain in the arse but now have only proud memories of of them!
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Thanks Bond'll Do
A lovely post that brought back memories of more pleasant days.
Pity!
A lovely post that brought back memories of more pleasant days.
I feel that I could write a book on the intricacies and subtleties of these things....however....I shall not.
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cabin announcements...
today often need to be accompanied by subtitles. there's one Irish airline in particular where it is frequently impossible to understand more than a couple of words. but then , i've often thought a certain football manager could benefit from on-screen subtitles too!
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Reading this reminds me of a flight I took from Monastir to LGW early in 2010.
On the plane, as it was taxi-ing for takeoff
"Hello and welcome to this Thomas Cook flight XXX. This is your captain speaking. My name is XXX and with me on the flight deck is Senior First Officer XXX. May I also take this opportunity to introduce our Cabin Manager, who is Gay. We shall be cruising at a height of XXX etc etc etc"
Needless to say, the whole cabin erupted in hysteria as soon as he got to the bit about the Cabin Manager, and nobody took in much else.
10 minutes later, after the plane had left Monastir (woman's voice this time)
"Hello and welcome to this Thomas Cook flight XXX. My name is Gay and I'm your Cabin Manager today...etc etc"
you couldn't make it up
Mark
On the plane, as it was taxi-ing for takeoff
"Hello and welcome to this Thomas Cook flight XXX. This is your captain speaking. My name is XXX and with me on the flight deck is Senior First Officer XXX. May I also take this opportunity to introduce our Cabin Manager, who is Gay. We shall be cruising at a height of XXX etc etc etc"
Needless to say, the whole cabin erupted in hysteria as soon as he got to the bit about the Cabin Manager, and nobody took in much else.
10 minutes later, after the plane had left Monastir (woman's voice this time)
"Hello and welcome to this Thomas Cook flight XXX. My name is Gay and I'm your Cabin Manager today...etc etc"
you couldn't make it up
Mark
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My late Father-in-Law was an SCSO for BOAC/BA who retired in 1979. I recall seeing him in full uniform, (four rings and half a wing - with a bit of scrambled egg on his cap) heading down to Heathrow in his old Vauxhall Ventora for a three week trip to Oz with back and forths to AUK, SIN etc.
I think in those days, the SCSO was seen as one of the senior crew - the Captain was the boss, the FO helped him, the FE managed the tech and the CSO managed the CC and Pax..and all was well with the world
When I started flying as a passenger a few years later, the SCSO had all but been phased out but the CSD's had the same standards - particularly for First passengers. I have many memories of flying regularly to SYD in First with the truly excellent service from people who knew how to deliver it properly without being sycophantic or obsequious. Maybe the Pax also knew how to behave as well...
Bygone days I think.
I think in those days, the SCSO was seen as one of the senior crew - the Captain was the boss, the FO helped him, the FE managed the tech and the CSO managed the CC and Pax..and all was well with the world
When I started flying as a passenger a few years later, the SCSO had all but been phased out but the CSD's had the same standards - particularly for First passengers. I have many memories of flying regularly to SYD in First with the truly excellent service from people who knew how to deliver it properly without being sycophantic or obsequious. Maybe the Pax also knew how to behave as well...
Bygone days I think.
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Bond'll do reminds me of the First Officer who had his own name badge made up - "Anjou"
When asked he would explain that the hostie working the cockpit would come up to the cockpit, introduce herself to the Captain and ask how he wanted his tea - milk, sugar etc and anything else - Torygraph or whatever. Then she would turn to the right side of the cockpit and say to the F/O - "Anjou"
BD
When asked he would explain that the hostie working the cockpit would come up to the cockpit, introduce herself to the Captain and ask how he wanted his tea - milk, sugar etc and anything else - Torygraph or whatever. Then she would turn to the right side of the cockpit and say to the F/O - "Anjou"
BD
