Comments by Cabin Crew on Firm Landings
 

Hi there

Recently had a pretty firm touchdown in quite turbulent conditions. I understand it was my judgemental error in terms of under-flaring the aircraft. But nonetheless, approach was stabilised, touchdown on centre line and within TDZ and aircraft perfectly intact. All criteria of a safe landing fulfilled. Touchdown sound was quite loud - I believe A320 shock absorbers make that sound (wham).

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​​​​​Went out of the cockpit, thanked the Flight Purser, as is the norm here. Then came the sarcastic reply: "No, thank you, you did such a great landing, blah blah, a passenger said the pilot should be sent for training.. Blah blah"

Ok that hurt big time.. Especially it was my first time hearing something like this from a cabin crew. Even Captains have never commented on me this way. Surprisingly, this lady also conducts CRM classes for Cockpit crew.

​​​​Having no comebacks, and already embarrased, I just laughed it off. And its been more than 2 weeks and it still hurts, I think I should have said something! I should have pointed out that they are not in a position to judge what's safe.

Anyhow, just wanted to share my dilemma with fellow flyers. Have you guys ever had any such experiences? What do you think the response should be?

Thanks

Fly your trolley, I fly the aircraft.

Buddy, grow a pair and grow up. There's plenty more of those to come in your career. I've had passengers refuse to come back on the aircraft after a particularly rough landing (multi leg flight). You live and you learn.

This. This is how you should reply the next time. And then just shrug it off.

Old saying, " A smooth landing is mostly luck; two in a row is all luck; three in a row is prevarication".

The very worse landing I've ridden was sat in the the last row of a very reputable airline 747 on a dead calm day following a very long flight, made the CC gasp and clutch her seat. It happens, don't sweat it. You'll do more in the future, both good and bad.

1. Ask her to try her hand at the next one.

2. Shrug it off. You'll do ones better than that, and probably a few more that are worse than that!

In my (small) outfit, we run a pretty tight crew and happily wind each other up.

I had a relatively firm landing at a remote location in tough gusty crosswind conditions where there is no margin for error and the gradients make it pretty "fun". I'd briefed the FO as such prior to landing that there'd be no finesse today.

In the crew bus after shutdown, Purser (smiling) starts rubbing his neck saying he needs to make a phone call to his physio after that landing. Quick as a flash I came back that I also had to call engineering as the ovens were evidently faulty as my bread roll was cold on that sector. Cue much laughter and off to the bar we all went, Flight Crew, Cabin Crew and travelling engineer..

Thanks a lot guys. It helped. :ok: It was my first time in 1200 HRS of airline flying, so yeah, felt harsh. :ouch:

My buddy - 5000 hours on type - smashed it on really bad, one day. In the crewshuttle afterwards - everyone very quiet. Buddy decided to break the ice. "Ladies, just to let you know that, I've been having some problems with the touchdowns lately - but this one was pretty damn good,don't you think (big smile)??" Everyone broke out in laughter, and the 1.8 G's were already forgotten. CaptGrizzly....just forget it. Cabin crew already have!

There's a good story from the good old days of BEA in the Highlands. Captain announces that the FO will be doing the landing. At the last minute, because the conditions were much worse than they had realised, the captain took over for the touch down which was a real slammer. After shutting down, the FO got up from his seat, put on the captain's jacket and walked out to face the passengers.