When a pax reports an inflight issue
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When a pax reports an inflight issue
Full disclosure: I'm an aviation journalist.
The other night I was returning home on a Delta CRJ-700 from out west. I was in seat C16 next to the window and the next to the last row. Shortly after reaching cruise altitude, after I had pulled my sweater up for warmth, I started getting too warm. I could feel heat radiating off the interior plastic panel of the aircraft at my shoulder. I put my hand on the panel, between the windows, and found the panel was more than warm. Running my hand up to where the panel met the overhead panel for the reading lights and the a/c, it was almost too hot for my hand. This did not seem right especially since the panels on either side of the warm one were cool. Perhaps I've been in too many airplanes where things went wrong, but I was genuinely concerned at what seemed to me to be excess heat in a place where they should be none.
Granted my knowledge of the CRJ-700 is next to nothing. The heat didn't seem normal so I wrote a note discussing what I had noticed and asked the flight attendant to pass the note to the flight deck.
I was concerned that an electrical short was at work behind the panel or that bleed air was escaping. Either way, a developing fire was on my mind. As the heat was increasing, I abandoned my seat for an empty one because it became too hot for me to continue sitting in my seat.
So I have two questions for you airline pilots:
As a passenger, was I over reacting to the situation by reporting to the flight deck?
How should the flight crew and attendants responded to my note?
The other night I was returning home on a Delta CRJ-700 from out west. I was in seat C16 next to the window and the next to the last row. Shortly after reaching cruise altitude, after I had pulled my sweater up for warmth, I started getting too warm. I could feel heat radiating off the interior plastic panel of the aircraft at my shoulder. I put my hand on the panel, between the windows, and found the panel was more than warm. Running my hand up to where the panel met the overhead panel for the reading lights and the a/c, it was almost too hot for my hand. This did not seem right especially since the panels on either side of the warm one were cool. Perhaps I've been in too many airplanes where things went wrong, but I was genuinely concerned at what seemed to me to be excess heat in a place where they should be none.
Granted my knowledge of the CRJ-700 is next to nothing. The heat didn't seem normal so I wrote a note discussing what I had noticed and asked the flight attendant to pass the note to the flight deck.
I was concerned that an electrical short was at work behind the panel or that bleed air was escaping. Either way, a developing fire was on my mind. As the heat was increasing, I abandoned my seat for an empty one because it became too hot for me to continue sitting in my seat.
So I have two questions for you airline pilots:
As a passenger, was I over reacting to the situation by reporting to the flight deck?
How should the flight crew and attendants responded to my note?
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No, you weren't over reacting. I am guessing they did nothing? Might have been better to just tell the fa verbally so she could check it out herself. She probably didn't think it was serious. It probably wasn't since it sounds like nothing happened, but it should have been checked out by an fa or an off duty pilot if one was riding in back. If it was too hot to touch and there was any electrical smoke or smell, a divert might be warranted depending on a number of factors (weather, distance to destination, etc) I would always rather have somebody say something so I check it out to see whether it is something to worry about or not.
I would say you did the right thing. I don't know anything about that airplane either, but realize that often things that seem odd or bad to someone not familiar with an airplane may actually be normal and known to the crew. It is better to get info that you don't need than not find out about something significant.
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McLuvin wrote
"I am guessing they did nothing?"
...correct. And I was surprised by their lack of concern. I expected a "friendly visit" by one of the pilots on his way to "use" the toilet.
"Might have been better to just tell the fa verbally so she could check it out herself."
The FA did read the note before going forward with it but I'm not convinced she gave it to the flight deck. She did not bother to check for herself. I didn't want to say anything out loud because I didn't want others to hear it and then have panic set in among the paxs.
I was the last person off the airplane because I wanted to talk with the flight deck thinking they might want to learn more. So I asked the FA for the name of the pilot so I could address him by name. The FA's response was to give me a look that told me that I was an unwelcome pain in the ass and she refused to tell me the captain's name. I was told I would have to ask him myself.
"I am guessing they did nothing?"
...correct. And I was surprised by their lack of concern. I expected a "friendly visit" by one of the pilots on his way to "use" the toilet.
"Might have been better to just tell the fa verbally so she could check it out herself."
The FA did read the note before going forward with it but I'm not convinced she gave it to the flight deck. She did not bother to check for herself. I didn't want to say anything out loud because I didn't want others to hear it and then have panic set in among the paxs.
I was the last person off the airplane because I wanted to talk with the flight deck thinking they might want to learn more. So I asked the FA for the name of the pilot so I could address him by name. The FA's response was to give me a look that told me that I was an unwelcome pain in the ass and she refused to tell me the captain's name. I was told I would have to ask him myself.
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Rick777 wrote:
" It is better to get info that you don't need than not find out about something significant."
I thought the same way.
Upon reflection, its a delicate situation. You don't want the flight deck flooded with pax concerns that are meaningless but you also have to recognize that extra eyes and ears can make a big difference in safety. Where is the balance?
" It is better to get info that you don't need than not find out about something significant."
I thought the same way.
Upon reflection, its a delicate situation. You don't want the flight deck flooded with pax concerns that are meaningless but you also have to recognize that extra eyes and ears can make a big difference in safety. Where is the balance?
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do you write for USA today?
anyway...I do imagine saying to the stew, feel this might have garnered a response too
I've always taken any passenger information as seriously as I can...but you must also realize that after 911, security, esp going into a DC area airport is pretty important too. suppose trying to get the pilot of the plane out of the cockpit using a mechanical issue was used to hijack the flight?
After the plane was parked, asking the FA to speak with the captain was fine...asking his name NOW A DAYS is a security issue, sort of.
of course you were on a regional jet and not real delta, right?
I've had a passenger mention something about the flaps and they were correct resulting in grounding the plane for repairs.
I haven't flown this type of plane and can't speak to the exact mx issue.
were you in icing conditions at the time? there wasn't any smoke was there?
anyway...I do imagine saying to the stew, feel this might have garnered a response too
I've always taken any passenger information as seriously as I can...but you must also realize that after 911, security, esp going into a DC area airport is pretty important too. suppose trying to get the pilot of the plane out of the cockpit using a mechanical issue was used to hijack the flight?
After the plane was parked, asking the FA to speak with the captain was fine...asking his name NOW A DAYS is a security issue, sort of.
of course you were on a regional jet and not real delta, right?
I've had a passenger mention something about the flaps and they were correct resulting in grounding the plane for repairs.
I haven't flown this type of plane and can't speak to the exact mx issue.
were you in icing conditions at the time? there wasn't any smoke was there?
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Originally Posted by funky stick
Full disclosure: I'm an aviation journalist.
The other night I was returning home on a Delta CRJ-700 from out west. I was in seat C16 next to the window and the next to the last row. Shortly after reaching cruise altitude, after I had pulled my sweater up for warmth, I started getting too warm. I could feel heat radiating off the interior plastic panel of the aircraft at my shoulder. I put my hand on the panel, between the windows, and found the panel was more than warm. Running my hand up to where the panel met the overhead panel for the reading lights and the a/c, it was almost too hot for my hand. This did not seem right especially since the panels on either side of the warm one were cool. Perhaps I've been in too many airplanes where things went wrong, but I was genuinely concerned at what seemed to me to be excess heat in a place where they should be none.
1. Doesn't know the seat numbering on airliners is numbers first, then letter, as in 16C, not C16;
2. Doesn't know that the window seat would be 16D, not C.
Odd....
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Flyboyike wrote:
<<An aviation journalist who apparently:>>
<<1. Doesn't know the seat numbering on airliners is numbers first, then letter, as in16C, not C16;>>
....you got me. I hadn't realized that I transposed the info. My bad. I definitely know better. Chalk it up to a lack of self editing.
<<2. Doesn't know that the window seat would be 16D, not C.>>
My ASSIGNED seat was 16C. 16D was empty so I slid over. In retrospect, I should have stated in my note that I was SITTING in 16D.
<<Odd.... >>
...not really.
<<An aviation journalist who apparently:>>
<<1. Doesn't know the seat numbering on airliners is numbers first, then letter, as in16C, not C16;>>
....you got me. I hadn't realized that I transposed the info. My bad. I definitely know better. Chalk it up to a lack of self editing.
<<2. Doesn't know that the window seat would be 16D, not C.>>
My ASSIGNED seat was 16C. 16D was empty so I slid over. In retrospect, I should have stated in my note that I was SITTING in 16D.
<<Odd.... >>
...not really.
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<<do you write for USA today?>>
...no. The bulk of my work is with Smithsonian Air & Space although I have worked a lot with AOPA Pilot and some with the EAA.
<<I've always taken any passenger information as seriously as I can...but you must also realize that after 911, security, esp going into a DC area airport is pretty important too. suppose trying to get the pilot of the plane out of the cockpit using a mechanical issue was used to hijack the flight?>>
...good point. I hadn't thought of the hijack issue. But wouldn't there still be a fully qualified pilot secure on the flight deck? And they could have asked the FA to confirm my observations.
<<After the plane was parked, asking the FA to speak with the captain was fine...asking his name NOW A DAYS is a security issue, sort of.
of course you were on a regional jet and not real delta, right?>>
...correct on the regional jet. I'm not in the office so I don't have access to my notes and I don't recall the name of the "partner." I have never had anyone tell me that asking for a name was a security concern so that's news to me.
<<I've had a passenger mention something about the flaps and they were correct resulting in grounding the plane for repairs.>>
...I once pointed out a landing gear issue that the pilot later sought me out to tell me I had been right.
<<I haven't flown this type of plane and can't speak to the exact mx issue.
were you in icing conditions at the time? >>
...possibly. We were in and out of the clouds.
<<there wasn't any smoke was there?>>
...no there wasn't But I was very concerned that some might appear at any moment.
...no. The bulk of my work is with Smithsonian Air & Space although I have worked a lot with AOPA Pilot and some with the EAA.
<<I've always taken any passenger information as seriously as I can...but you must also realize that after 911, security, esp going into a DC area airport is pretty important too. suppose trying to get the pilot of the plane out of the cockpit using a mechanical issue was used to hijack the flight?>>
...good point. I hadn't thought of the hijack issue. But wouldn't there still be a fully qualified pilot secure on the flight deck? And they could have asked the FA to confirm my observations.
<<After the plane was parked, asking the FA to speak with the captain was fine...asking his name NOW A DAYS is a security issue, sort of.
of course you were on a regional jet and not real delta, right?>>
...correct on the regional jet. I'm not in the office so I don't have access to my notes and I don't recall the name of the "partner." I have never had anyone tell me that asking for a name was a security concern so that's news to me.
<<I've had a passenger mention something about the flaps and they were correct resulting in grounding the plane for repairs.>>
...I once pointed out a landing gear issue that the pilot later sought me out to tell me I had been right.
<<I haven't flown this type of plane and can't speak to the exact mx issue.
were you in icing conditions at the time? >>
...possibly. We were in and out of the clouds.
<<there wasn't any smoke was there?>>
...no there wasn't But I was very concerned that some might appear at any moment.
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I have never had anyone tell me that asking for a name was a security concern so that's news to me.
99.9% of pilots will introduce themselves by name. According to Flarepilot I'm supposed to stop doing that now?
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funky stick.
if you don't know why the name might be a security issue, we've kept it a good secret...the stew may have also been being CUTE. what can I say about that?
AS to the icing...it is possible, but I am really not sure that certain ductwork for anti ice may be plumbed in your area.
AS to the letter/number of the seat, that is not a big deal. and you could check your ticket to see the way the plane/airline identifies a seat.
if you don't know why the name might be a security issue, we've kept it a good secret...the stew may have also been being CUTE. what can I say about that?
AS to the icing...it is possible, but I am really not sure that certain ductwork for anti ice may be plumbed in your area.
AS to the letter/number of the seat, that is not a big deal. and you could check your ticket to see the way the plane/airline identifies a seat.
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Funkystick, you were ABSOLUTELY RIGHT to raise the issue, and to do so quietly. The stewardess sounds like a right cow.
Long ago, I was concerned at Newark that the deicing hadn't been effective; as the wing by my seat was distinctly pebbledash on the surface; the cabin crew quietly mentioned it to the flight deck; the first officer came to have a look and agreed with me, and also told me that there would be a last minute dousing of the deicing just before takeoff....I felt reassured and respected.
But that was before 9/11. Nothing will ever be the same again, we are all cattle class now.
Long ago, I was concerned at Newark that the deicing hadn't been effective; as the wing by my seat was distinctly pebbledash on the surface; the cabin crew quietly mentioned it to the flight deck; the first officer came to have a look and agreed with me, and also told me that there would be a last minute dousing of the deicing just before takeoff....I felt reassured and respected.
But that was before 9/11. Nothing will ever be the same again, we are all cattle class now.
