Using children's voices on safety briefs

[Dengue_Dude]

I recently travelled to Paphos and return via Thomson. The aircraft departed and arrived on time both ways - thanks.

However, I was appalled to hear the canned Safety Announcement being done in a child's voice . . . it's bad enough that you have to listen to an (often) patronising brief (aimed at lowest common denominator et al), but using children briefing adults is a complete turn off.

Whose bright idea was that? Do any other companies do it?

WHY?

Are we going to be welcomed onboard by the captain/FO in a child's voice too?

[Capetonian]

I flew from IOM to BFS not long ago on Manx2 and the safety video was done by children. It was very professional, catchy, and people paid attention. I thought it was a good and original approach but I can understand why many might not appreciate it.

[caaardiff]

Made you listen though didn't it..... Think about it....

Thomson Airways Safety Video 2009 - YouTube

Appalled

A bit over the top?

it's bad enough that you have to listen to an (often) patronising brief (aimed at lowest common denominator et al),

Which is why they did something different and creative. Gets peoples attention.

but using children briefing adults is a complete turn off.

I don't think it's supposed to turn you on

I think Air New Zealand did something similar

[JAKL]

Totally agree Caaardiff, unfortunately some parents don't even listen to the voices of their own children!

[superq7]

Caaardiff

I personally find them rather annoying but at the end of the day it's no big deal.

[con-pilot]

it's bad enough that you have to listen to an (often) patronising brief (aimed at lowest common denominator et al),

Oh, so you believe that every other person in that cabin with you is an expert on all types of different airliners, that knows everything there is to know about traveling on the airlines and that they can learn absolutely nothing new. They are all real experts, like you seem to think you are.

Anything that can get the attention of passengers for the safety briefing is good. Well, except for real professional passengers such as you, that is incapable of learning some thing new, seeing you think you know it all.

I would bet that I have traveled a hell of a lot more on the airlines than you have. When the safety briefing starts, I stop what I am doing, then watch and listen to the Flight Attendant's speech or videoed safety briefing, no matter how many times I've heard it or how many times I've traveled or actually flown that type of aircraft.

But I'm very impressed that you must know a hell of a lot more about aircraft than I do, after all I only flew them for 42 years.

[pigboat]

I would bet that I have traveled a hell of a lot more on the airlines than you have. When the safety briefing starts, I stop what I am doing, then watch and listen to the Flight Attendant's speech or videoed safety briefing, no matter how many times I've heard it or how many times I've traveled or actually flown that type of aircraft.

Oui monsieur, every time.

[J.L.Seagull]

Air Arabia Safety Video

Air Arabia Inflight Safety Video 2012 - YouTube

[Hotel Tango]

I'm all for inovative ways to attract pax attention to safety briefings. My only concern is that once these amusing videos have been seen a few times they become more monotonous than the standard "live" briefing and are likely to be ignored just as much if not more by the "regulars". They would need to be changed frequently to retain curiosity. Best method would be for a live briefing whilst at least one member of the cabin crew roams the cabin and whacks on the head anyone not paying attention.

[PAXboy]

I saw the Thomson one myself a couple of years ago and thought it very good. I have just watched the Air Arabia and think it good for these reasons:

1. It is made with humour.
2. They show the children happy and this may reassure children on the flight.
3. Children are far more likely (I think) to watch this than the adults doing 'the dance'.
4. Children may well remember more of it than their parents and be better help if the information is needed.
5. They use close up shots of the exits, emergency lighting etc. You do not get this in the plain 'live' version.
6. The children point to the floor lighting and the actual place where the life vest is stored - brilliant.
7. They show children from dozens of nations and I found that very inclusive.
8. They show the children telling each other to switch off electronic devices and - although we know it is all a game - I think that carries far more weight than words from an adult standing 10 rows away.
9. Finishing with the ramp staff holding the gear lock pennant was good - it may remind the pax of the many people involved. Also, the boy doing his moment for the film looked so happy!

The only point I did not hear was 'your nearest exit may be behind you' but I don't have time to listen to it again now. Also, they might have shown two crew on the flight deck.

I am a BIG fan of all attempts to bring this information to Pax e.g. the work done by ANZ. So well done to Air Arabia.

[Sunnyjohn]

I think it's a good idea, for the reasons well stated by Paxboy and for other reasons. However, I would worry about the audibility of such a presentation over the frequently poor public address systems in aircraft.

[Basil]

Ah, that's why pilots are falling asleep; they aren't getting their little rockaby

[ExXB]

Well, I'll admit I rarely will watch an entire safety briefing because:

I've already stowed my hand luggage in the overhead, or under the seat in front,
My tray is stowed,
I've put on my seat belt, which will remain on for the duration (potty breaks excluded)
I've already identified the emergency exits and the ones closest to me, I've counted the rows in both directions,
I've identified where the 02 masks will fall from,
I've looked at the safety card,
I've put my phone and iPad into flight mode and I'm prepared to put iPad to sleep. (Did anyone note that in both videos posted here that devices were not turned off completely!)

I don't ignore the briefing completely, for example I'll look up for the life jacket to familiarize myself with the ties/fittings. I find that much of the demonstration is telling you to do things that you've already done. To me it seems silly to be told to put your carry-on up or down, when you're already taxying and everyone has done it and the bin doors are closed.

But I'm not saying that other, less experienced, flyers should ignore the briefing.

[Basil]

But I'm not saying that other, less experienced, flyers should ignore the briefing.

So, if you pay attention then you mark yourself as an inexperienced passenger?
Like con-pilot, I look up and pay attention; could remind me of something I've forgotten and, at the least, is an example to other pax.

[ExXB]

Basil, you are right. Let me change that:

But I'm not saying that other flyers should ignore the briefing.

[localflighteast]

The two additional thin gs that I do ( tips picked up from PPRUNE, thank you very much) are to not only figure out where my nearest exit is but to familiarise myself with which exits can't be used in water ditchings (it varies a lot from plane to plane)

Also check that there is indeed a life vest under my seat.

I couldn't help thinking on my last commercial flight about all the useless stuff they tell you (how to work a seatbelt) and all the useful stuff they don't ( which exits to use, how important it really is to get the oxygen mask on quickly)

[flydive1]

I always stop what I'm doing and follow the briefing.

I do that for all the above reasons, but also out of respect for the cabin crew doing their job.

[Sunnyjohn]

I asked Mrs SJ to watch and listen to the Thompson video kindly posted by Caaardif (I think that's what this thread was originally about . . .) and she found the children's voices really irritating and, as one who listens and watches assiduously to every safety briefing, said she would be put off by this one.

[Rwy in Sight]

I am not sure that I would remember how many seats are between me and the two nearest exits although I do take note when I board.

Regarding ditching I think the forward and overwing exits are the one to use mostly in most narrowbodies aircraft I pax on.

I do look very carefully the safety demo for a simple reason: I feel that the day I have not paid attention it will be the day that the knowledge will be useful and critical. No if some one does not pay attention he/she is Darwin award candidate.


Rwy in Sight

[Dengue_Dude]

I would bet that I have traveled a hell of a lot more on the airlines than you have. When the safety briefing starts, I stop what I am doing, then watch and listen to the Flight Attendant's speech or videoed safety briefing, no matter how many times I've heard it or how many times I've traveled or actually flown that type of aircraft.

But I'm very impressed that you must know a hell of a lot more about aircraft than I do, after all I only flew them for 42 years.

Hmm, well you obviously have.

Much of my flying was military, only 10 years flying airliners and five of those freighting. I've only been a professional aviator for 40 years, instructor, examiner and now write manuals and checklists for fast jets.

I was appalled by the brief and my impression was that there was at best only scant attention being paid to the brief. So it obviously didn't work all that well and the cabin crew looked bored out of their tree in the middle of the brief

Just for the record, as was said earlier, all the things I have personal responsibility for had been done. Safety card read and nearest exit identified because it's just possible the emergency will occur BEFORE the brief.

It would be a real privilege to meet you, it's not often in one's lifetime that you could get to meet a real Paragon of Virtue - I bow to your experience . . .

Just imagine, you know exactly what I'm thinking, even my wife can't quite manage that.