Great Captain
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Its people like Farty flaps that are bringing this proffesion down to gutter level.I have often done Pa's from the front of the cabin when a long delay is likely and when there is a technical issue with the aircraft. it has always been well recieved by the paying public, and they after all are the ones that contribute to our wages! Farty must be a ryanair pilot!
Join Date: Feb 2000
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These discussions are pointless. There's an argument for and against everything. It all comes down to individual personalities. Just do what you feel comfortable with. It doesn't matter what it is because you'll NEVER please everyone!
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Farty Flaps: you and I are never going to agree on anything. If you're too 'proud' (or wet) to get your hands dirty helping the rest of your crew, well, as I say, don't expect me to be your co-pilot.
I bet you'd have grasped a command with both your sweaty paws at 3000 hours if you'd had the opportunity. I will take the low cost airline opportunities for all they are worth as a stepping stone for greater things.
Quite how you had to turn this into hetrosexual versus homosexual discussion confounds me, but only manages to re-affirm my distrust of homosexuals.
I bet you'd have grasped a command with both your sweaty paws at 3000 hours if you'd had the opportunity. I will take the low cost airline opportunities for all they are worth as a stepping stone for greater things.
Quite how you had to turn this into hetrosexual versus homosexual discussion confounds me, but only manages to re-affirm my distrust of homosexuals.
Join Date: Mar 2003
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jw411, good post!
Good point also about the pilots standing there during deplaning
My take on it was that it was polite for the captain to greet his pax, so as far as practicable, i would stand in the cockpit door during boarding.
In case of major delays, or problems, standing in front of the pax and "look em in the eye" would work well.. then again, it was an MD80, where everybody could see me.. i guess it wouldn't work so well on a 747
As far as the end of the flight: i always left that to the cabin crew, so people could thank them for the inflight service.. it was their show after all.. as for the flight deck, we would "take our leave" during the last PA before landing... If you stay seated during deplaning and fill out your logs and stuff, you can actually go in the back and help the hosties afterwards, if and when that is appropriate. After all, we all shared the same crew-bus going back to Ops-center, and were all interested in reaching beer-time asap, no?
Nowadays, in corporate and VIP aviation, not greeting the customer at the stairs in full uniform can get you fired... after the flight you accompany the pax to the terminal and ensure their asses safely reach the limousine seat... different world
Good point also about the pilots standing there during deplaning
My take on it was that it was polite for the captain to greet his pax, so as far as practicable, i would stand in the cockpit door during boarding.
In case of major delays, or problems, standing in front of the pax and "look em in the eye" would work well.. then again, it was an MD80, where everybody could see me.. i guess it wouldn't work so well on a 747
As far as the end of the flight: i always left that to the cabin crew, so people could thank them for the inflight service.. it was their show after all.. as for the flight deck, we would "take our leave" during the last PA before landing... If you stay seated during deplaning and fill out your logs and stuff, you can actually go in the back and help the hosties afterwards, if and when that is appropriate. After all, we all shared the same crew-bus going back to Ops-center, and were all interested in reaching beer-time asap, no?
Nowadays, in corporate and VIP aviation, not greeting the customer at the stairs in full uniform can get you fired... after the flight you accompany the pax to the terminal and ensure their asses safely reach the limousine seat... different world
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Its all about attention seeking and massaging ego's, most passengers do not listen to the PA's in the first place or watch the safety demos. Look at the burk on youtube......should be on the stage in the comedy club or something similar....not very professional is it, makes a laughing stock of us. 
Join Date: Aug 2002
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JW411, can't say I agree with all your posts. But this one is spot on. There are a few people who post on here (if they are flight crew) need to retire, or buck up their ideas.
Been on A330 to BGI. Got called out to make us 3 crew for hours. Turns out pax had been turfed off twice already for technical reasons. Just about to run out of hours, had to board pax with cowling open on no1 with engineers underneath (not ideal). In the flight deck could hear crew being given a lot of grief (usual ringleader causing trouble). Decided to come out to deflect questions from cc who were boarding, and trying to get pax sat down. Can't say I enjoyed it. But poor cc trying to answer questions they can't answer (am happily engaged, not trying to get any!).
Now a capt. Have no desire to be on public view. But have seen captains do it, and have seen the positive effects it has when it is done.
Been on A330 to BGI. Got called out to make us 3 crew for hours. Turns out pax had been turfed off twice already for technical reasons. Just about to run out of hours, had to board pax with cowling open on no1 with engineers underneath (not ideal). In the flight deck could hear crew being given a lot of grief (usual ringleader causing trouble). Decided to come out to deflect questions from cc who were boarding, and trying to get pax sat down. Can't say I enjoyed it. But poor cc trying to answer questions they can't answer (am happily engaged, not trying to get any!).
Now a capt. Have no desire to be on public view. But have seen captains do it, and have seen the positive effects it has when it is done.
Join Date: May 2003
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When I was an SCCM at EZY, whenever we had a substantial delay on the ground (tech or ATC), many a Captain would come out of the flight deck and address the pax on the PA and then answer any questions that they had to answer as the FO was more than capable to deal with the engineers and ground staff.
A) It took the heat off the cabin crew
B) It showed a human face of authourity that pax look for beyond the cabin crew.
I remember one time that we found an unclaimed bag on board on turn around and the bomb squade were called and we had to disembark. The Captain was more than happy to accompany me to the holding lounge to explain the situationto pax and answer any questions that they may have. It works wonders and I would welcome it if a similar situation arose in the future.
Sure, some of you flight crew may not want to take this approach and fair enough, but it does make a huge difference.
A) It took the heat off the cabin crew
B) It showed a human face of authourity that pax look for beyond the cabin crew.
I remember one time that we found an unclaimed bag on board on turn around and the bomb squade were called and we had to disembark. The Captain was more than happy to accompany me to the holding lounge to explain the situationto pax and answer any questions that they may have. It works wonders and I would welcome it if a similar situation arose in the future.
Sure, some of you flight crew may not want to take this approach and fair enough, but it does make a huge difference.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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when circumstance permits, I go face to face down the aisle explaining the problem/delay etc...this on 737 type.
I can imagine on a 747, your feet might hurt though.
I can imagine on a 747, your feet might hurt though.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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I know the bloke involved personally. Really nice guy, doesn't have any hang up's its just that he feels that talking face to face with the pax is ok when time permits. e.g Delayed.
It's all you weirdos who have to pull it apart, analyse it, hang stereotypes on it etc...
There are far more important things in life, get on with them.
It's his choice, not yours.
It's all you weirdos who have to pull it apart, analyse it, hang stereotypes on it etc...
There are far more important things in life, get on with them.
It's his choice, not yours.
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Stand up comedy in front of the pax - whatever rocks your boat but quite cheesy no doubt. I would be no good in any case so is a non starter.
PA in front of the pax to explain a serious delay- why not if it keeps the customers happy(ier) and they come back and keep flying with us. Surely a good use of all resources (CRM).
Make a round of tea - if I have time and I feek like it why not but quite unusual.
Helping clean the cabin - no way because is not my job but it will soon be if we all start doing it.
PA in front of the pax to explain a serious delay- why not if it keeps the customers happy(ier) and they come back and keep flying with us. Surely a good use of all resources (CRM).
Make a round of tea - if I have time and I feek like it why not but quite unusual.
Helping clean the cabin - no way because is not my job but it will soon be if we all start doing it.
Join Date: Feb 2003
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A few facts that might set things straight...
1. In my 20 yrs of flying, especially the second half (the first half did not do that much deadheading) when most of the time I was in first/biz never saw a Captain do this. BA, LH, AF, SQ CX etc. Don't know about lesser outfits.
2. After 9/11 to me a theater like this is a bit of a security breach.
3. If the SLF knew that the normal cockpit prep consists of a few hundred actions on the average wide body that the average crew are expected to do more or less in sequence, I doubt it they will be happy that the Guy is nice, but getting virtually out of the loop at the most crucial time...
Amen!
2. After 9/11 to me a theater like this is a bit of a security breach.
3. If the SLF knew that the normal cockpit prep consists of a few hundred actions on the average wide body that the average crew are expected to do more or less in sequence, I doubt it they will be happy that the Guy is nice, but getting virtually out of the loop at the most crucial time...
Amen!
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Dear swish
My god how lucky are you. In 20 years of flying!
If you care to understand the thread, we are talking about delays and explaining them to the public. Now i feel as though i should have underlined the word delays.
When you are delayed, you have time to carry out your 1,000,000 things you have to do b4 departure, then explain to the pax what is going on. I'm sure there is no security threat as we are generally on the ground with the air bridge attached.
It's not about being nice, it's about doing your job, and taking some of the heat from the cc.
My god how lucky are you. In 20 years of flying!
If you care to understand the thread, we are talking about delays and explaining them to the public. Now i feel as though i should have underlined the word delays.
When you are delayed, you have time to carry out your 1,000,000 things you have to do b4 departure, then explain to the pax what is going on. I'm sure there is no security threat as we are generally on the ground with the air bridge attached.
It's not about being nice, it's about doing your job, and taking some of the heat from the cc.
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I used to fly with a Captain who always stood at the front, introduced himself, the crew and did the welcome on board - his name was Jumbo Jempson - a true gentleman and scholar.
I took note of the fact that on his flights, things tended to go really well, the crew were happy, the punters enjoyed themselves and I thought - perhaps it was partly due to the fact that the Captain said his piece to the pax directly, perhaps that we flew charter, I don't know.
Time goes on and I shift seats, now those who know me will already appreciate that I am somewhat shy and retiring so it was natural that I would adopt the technique applied by Captain Jempson.
11 years later I can report thus.
Being honest and truthful about delays, greeting the pax face to face and having a smile and a happy demeanour has helped plenty of times on both the Friday night IBZ's and the stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap Dom Rep flights.
Don't knock this chap, it works and after all, a bit of basic good customer service has never gone amiss in any walk of life
I took note of the fact that on his flights, things tended to go really well, the crew were happy, the punters enjoyed themselves and I thought - perhaps it was partly due to the fact that the Captain said his piece to the pax directly, perhaps that we flew charter, I don't know.
Time goes on and I shift seats, now those who know me will already appreciate that I am somewhat shy and retiring so it was natural that I would adopt the technique applied by Captain Jempson.
11 years later I can report thus.
Being honest and truthful about delays, greeting the pax face to face and having a smile and a happy demeanour has helped plenty of times on both the Friday night IBZ's and the stack 'em high, sell 'em cheap Dom Rep flights.
Don't knock this chap, it works and after all, a bit of basic good customer service has never gone amiss in any walk of life
Join Date: Nov 2006
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What a miserable bunch of gits you lot are.... (im sure you are all Rainboe)
If only you knew what it did to us nervous passengers when you come out and show us your human...... If only one pilot did that every so often, and made scared flyers a little happier surely thats gotta be a gr8 human thing to do hasnt it?
God knows theres enough hate, upset, and turmoil in the world, at least give us a break and dont treat your wage payers as stupid A*******. cuz were scared of the unknown. (dont forget your all taught the scary bits) were not
thank yauuuuuuuuu
If only you knew what it did to us nervous passengers when you come out and show us your human...... If only one pilot did that every so often, and made scared flyers a little happier surely thats gotta be a gr8 human thing to do hasnt it?
God knows theres enough hate, upset, and turmoil in the world, at least give us a break and dont treat your wage payers as stupid A*******. cuz were scared of the unknown. (dont forget your all taught the scary bits) were not
thank yauuuuuuuuu
What a miserable bunch of gits you lot are....
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Just as an observation, I have noticed that while flying budget airlines such as easyjet or ryans, it seems that the FO or captain announcement of any kind is pretty hard to come by. This is also prominent in situation where flights are delayed and yet the cockpit microphone is just silent. Then again, every time I step on with Virgin, BA, AA or Qantas, the flight deck is more then happy to at least address the passangers, give them an update whether that be on the delay or flight plan.
Whether we like it or not, budget airlines are not known for their levels of service, however a simple, professional announcement (no need for standing in front of PAX) does go a long way towards forming of an airline image. One budget airline that is doing something about that image seems to be Wizzair - and no, I don't work for them.
Whether we like it or not, budget airlines are not known for their levels of service, however a simple, professional announcement (no need for standing in front of PAX) does go a long way towards forming of an airline image. One budget airline that is doing something about that image seems to be Wizzair - and no, I don't work for them.
Just as an observation, I have noticed that while flying budget airlines such as easyjet or ryans, it seems that the FO or captain announcement of any kind is pretty hard to come by.
ZbV
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PA from Cabin
Unfortunately for me the type of aircraft I fly I am still pretty far up front in the galley, visible but sort of away. Really no reason to go to the back. Do remember flying a smaller type earlier that allowed me to stand tall before tha crowd. I made a big effort to tell the people how sorry I was only be thrown a half full beer can at me by an irate pax resulting in a further delay as we proceeded to offload the dushbag and his belongings from the hold. No more PA's from the cabin
And I am not all that ugly really guys I am not
And I am not all that ugly really guys I am not