United GRU-ORD Divert to MIA to Offload Purser

[parabellum]

ALPA has contacted the Purser 3 different times, through 3 different means (AFAR EPA, her In flight supervisor and people at SOAP) for a "Mediated Conflict Resolution Meeting" with the Capt. She said, "absolutely not...HE had the conflict...not she."

If the CA felt totally exonerated she would welcome the opportunity to a forum that gave her the chance to give her version of events. By deliberately avoiding it casts doubt on her side of the story, would it stand up to examination? I suspect her union are instructing her and they know thin ice when they see it.

There is a fairly thick tome produced by the USAF that deals with crew rest patterns, flight deck lighting and crew meals and eating patterns. This document emphasises the need for crew to maintain their blood sugar levels and thereby their alertness. If this captain did not feel safe to eat his meal then yes, there is a big safety issue as about seven hours or earlier into the flight he should be considering a meal so he had the choice of eating a possibly contaminated meal and falling sick or not eating the meal and losing his required level of alertness and ability to fly and make decisions safely.

This captain chose the extreme option but that doesn't make it or him wrong.

[Checkboard]

There is an urban myth that Visine eye drops will cause diarrhea without any serious other damage to the individual. THIS IS INCORRECT!

snopes.com: Visine Prank

The one thing it DOESN'T do is cause diarreah, it does suppress the central nervous system, and even 2-3 ml can kill children.

[based on facts]

I know that the Purser feels this particular event is history and views it as such, and that the captain has had his 15 minutes of fame. Having that meeting would "help ease him back into flying" as was told to her. She has no desire to help ease him into flying!! So, it's not that she is concerned about "her story" holding up. She doesn't want to waste anymore of her time or thought on this matter. And, she is not now or ever has been on "thin ice." She was NEVER taken out of service and the crews, pilots & flight attendants alike are STILL asking how she's doing etc. Pilots and Flight Attendants alike will trade or do what they have to to not fly with him. We depend on the male/female in the left seat to keep us safe...he lost credibility with us. We all wonder what in the world happened to the 2 F/O's that they agreed to continue with him. One of them said he (capt.) was most intimidating towards them. Well, their credibility is shot as well. While all of us like to fly we need to not just feel safe but need to actually be safe. If a captain makes a bizarre decision, just as this guy did...well, there are consquences. As for "the tampering with food." Are you people for real!?! He's flying the damn airplane!! I don't think ANYONE on our crew had a death wish! I have heard that Visine rumor for decades, althought I've never seen or heard of anyone who actually did it. There are all sorts of rumors within the US flight industry and 99% have become folklore...this is probably one as well. IF anyone ANYWHERE was caught doing this...an arrest needs to be made. This was obvisously not the case here. What I have heard...from within our own airline...if a captain has a dislike of a F/A for whatever reason, they'll say, they fear for their food and the F/A is removed with pay. That's about as extreme as I've ever witnessed.

[Rainboe]

It happens. I have been told by perpetrators that they have 'doctored' the food of particularly unpopular pilots, that steaks have been wiped around the toilet, and substances placed within their food. They have sworn blind to me that it happens, and some said they have done it themselves. It appalled me that these idiots have done it to their own pilots. I know on a few occasions, I was quite suspiciously and sharply upset inflight. Some tricks have been used without doubt. There is nothing you can do about it, nothing you can prove, but I absolutely know it has happened. From the horses mouth. And I believe it.

[based on facts]

Rainboe: if you KNOW who has any actually done any of those actions you mentioned, I hope you took appropriate steps. That is "tampering" with not only a pilots health but....everyone on that aircraft....after all...i repeat....capt. if flying the aircraft!!!

[belfrybat]

BoF:

She has no desire to help ease him into flying!! ... She doesn't want to waste anymore of her time or thought on this matter.

Makes her seem spiteful and resentful.

From the rest of your post one can infer that this can't have been a unique, or even first occurence of the captain having a conflict with the crew. If he really is that bad and unpopular there must be more tales about him, can you dig some up, verifiable? If it was unique, for whatever reason, triplicate my first paragraph.

[based on facts]

Yes, this captain does have a long history of crew conflict. But...I was not privvy to those and will not "dig up" anything. I thin k there's enough crap right here. And no...she is NOT spiteful or resentful. He must take responsibility for his actions and that does NOT include her HELPING him. She has much better things to do with her time than help someone she personally feels should not be flying, right back into that position! She is highly educated (she is a nurse and has a speciality in surgery) and works as a nurse on her days off from flying. She's behaving like an adult, not to mention a professional person. That captain exercised his "authority" and now HE has to answer for it, without her help! PERIOD!!!

[DownIn3Green]

B on F:

I wasn't going to "feed" you but now I can't resist comment....Who the heck are you and has the F/A in question authorized you to speak for her???

Additionally, if things at UA are as you say between the cabin crews and a Line Captain, I suggest you have a duty to report this situation to the FAA, as "your" F/A group is not acting professionally...

Having said that, as asked in a previous post, a question you haven't answered, Who is taking care of your Kitty Cat while you are on your trips???

[based on facts]

down in 3 green (which I doubt you can do...) I happen to be someone that was on trip in question and as a close group, I do speak with the Purser from this trip. She, herself does not read/contribute to blogs. And as a generl rule, at least International, the crew (pilots & f/a's) get along great. "kitty cat??"

[belfrybat]

I do speak with the Purser from this trip. She, herself does not read/contribute to blogs.

Yet you see fit to speak for her. There's something going on under the surface.

[based on facts]

I speak for myself only!! The ONLY thing "going on under the surface" is what you're hallucinating or wishing for something that doesn't exist.

[korrol]

Pure Poison

The comments and information being posted here are absolutely extraordinary. I would never have believed anything like this could happen amongst grown-up people in a high-status profession.

I see that the Captain allegedly involved in this matter has been publicly named on another site on the internet but I don't think it would be fair or responsible to post this information here and in any case doing so might also infringe PPRUNE house rules.

[BOAC]

korrol - if you refer to this supposed 'poisoning', may I attempt to relax you a little? I shudder every time this old chestnut is resurrected here (try a search for it).

I and the vast majority of pilots have never experienced anything like the 'Racasan Sauce'/Visine/body fluids etc you are hearing about. On a significant number of 'socialising' events with crew this 'story' has inevitably come up. I have been re-assured that it is just that (perhaps based on some historic/apochryphal event) and I gather it is a story put around (effectively, obviously) to frighten some of the dinosuars with which the crew have to work - as, perhaps, a 'warning shot' if you like. I have flown with c/crew of all levels of intellect from 'just-started ex school' to degree educated and I do not believe any of them would be so stupid as to contemplate such an action. You will find posts ASSURING the reader that xxx has done it and that 'I know it happens'. All I can say is that in my experience it doesn't and I suspect I am far from alone. In all my 'crew' flying time I have had two 'upsets', one of which began just before the flight and the other was confirmed to be caused by the crew-food, and affected others. I have also had more than one event when flying solo, military and civil - obviously the crew food?

[belfrybat]

bof:

This thread lay dormant and mostly forgotten until in post #650 you pop up once again, with gloat setting dialled to 10. Obviously you have some kind of agenda or something else to gain from stirring the pot. So far there has been only one uncorroborated story, telling the FA's side of things. Your antics of late do nothing to make it more believable.

[...]you're hallucinating or wishing for something that doesn't exist.

Out of place vehemence and invective do nothing to convince me this is the whole story. Evidently it's treated as a minor issue as there have been no additional reports, witnesses or other materials or efforts to back it up. Or shoot it down, as the case may be.

[DownIn3Green]

BoF...You don't know whether I can do "Down In 3 Green", as you don't even know what that is...and BTW, I (and from the general feeling of the rest of us on this post) don't really give a toss about what you think...

Go on over to the Cabin Crew or Wannabee forum, you silly little person....

[411A]

It would appear that BoF is a troll, best ignored.

[stilton]

Based on Bullsh*t


You and your mentality are largely responsible for the tensions, pathetic, selfish behaviour and lack of professionalism that we see in the cabins of US carriers these days.


Time for you to pi*s off

[Obie]

I'm surprised that no one has asked BOF to explain his statement that the CC involved works as a nurse on her days off?

[adsyj]

Based on Fact

Shut up do your job correctly and do not ever undermine the commander of an aircraft. YOU ARE UNSAFE TO FLY WITH.

Don't know about the rest of you but i have had a gutful of based on facts.

[YoDawg]

As for "the tampering with food." Are you people for real!?! He's flying the damn airplane!! I don't think ANYONE on our crew had a death wish

But when he's on the ground and you're all safe, he's fair game?? That's really warped, I think you need help!

So glad we don't have "old boilers" where I work..... Say Hi to your cat for us!