B747 Crew Sleeping Quarters

Why did you shadow here? Did she know that you were there? Were you in disguise? Am I old enough to know the truth?

Now - my hairbrush and i are coming into the argument.

One thing that has not been mentioned is that if there were not bunks - the crew would have to have seats set aside instead. Therefore, as we cannot put passengers up in the tail - we put crew as they are out of the way. Our friends at AA have strict rest times - all reputable airlines do this on Long Haul.

So - the bunks may sound like a "perk" - and in a way they are to be honest as they are far better than trying to doze in a seat.

We have for years taught at Lesson 1 at recruitment - this not not a difficult job but it is hard on you. Altitude, jet lag (chronic sometimes believe me), cabin air, change of temperatures at destination - they do take a toll.

Having read through this whole thread, I do not see, in any post, by any crew member or someone speaking on behalf of crew stating that "we work harder than any other working folks". Unless you can draw my attention to a post I may have missed.

No one, at any point has denied that people in other jobs and industries work hard and long hours too. It just happens that in this highly regulated and controlled industry, in terms of procedural working, they specify that crew must have X rest on X duties.

All of this from someone who is keen on aviation asking for some information about something behind the scenes that the regular traveller does not know of, are aware of or would ever get to see. Makes me wonder why some people bother contributing to a forum like this.

Err... yes. The word jumbo has been used to describe large items since the 19th century.

I got shown the quarters once on a flight to LAX by a rather friendly crew member. I don't think it's strictly allowed. It was quite rough up there actually...

PUCCI, I noted that the Formula 1 circus, when going for the night race in Singapore (bear with me) stay on UK/European time, in order to prevent their body clocks getting screwed up. Is that something that LH crew also practice, or do you try to get onto local time, even though you are only down route for a day or three?

I could do with a bit of "in-flight relief"...^

That post could be read in two VERY different ways...

Thanks for contributing as well

You are welcome...

I'm far happier knowing that the crew have a rest area that allows them some 180 degree time, it makes me feel that little bit safer. In my previous job I had early starts of around 5am which meant that by days end at 1pm I was knackered, despite however much sleep I had had the night before. The chair at my desk allowed greater recline than OCW and I could & did easily fall asleep at my desk when my day had officially ended (well it was that or wake up at the end of the line on the tube). So I can entirely see why crew need a decent rest area, mandated or not, whether it is used for rest or not

Any employee in the EU has the right to rest and time off work - under the Working Time Directives. And, quite rightly, safety-critical jobs have stricter regulations.

I work shifts, and occasionally, a week of night shifts. If I'm tired and groggy at work, and something goes wrong, no-one dies. If a member of a flight crew is tired and groggy at work, and something goes wrong, then someone might. I'm quite happy for them to have somewhere comfy for their rest breaks. (Though my manager still hasn't responded to my request for a hammock...)

I certainly was not trying to suggest that flight crews work harder than anyone else, nor indeed that other people do not work long and hard hours. What I was saying was that just because people in other jobs work long hours without a break does not make it sensible or safe. The rest mandated by CAP 371 is based in much scientific research, some bloke you know that does 18hour days is hardly scientific. Besides as was mentioned, flying (amongst some other industries) is safety critical. Doubtless those safety critical industries also have regulations to ensure safety. Even the UK medical profession is being kicked screaming and kicking into the 20th century - much to the annoyance of senior doctors. They are looking hard at aviation to avoid some of the errors that being human causes. "Is the right leg the right one? No, the left leg is the right one" - which is why we number engines to avoid confusion.

Rather than question why crew get provided with adequate rest facilities, perhaps the question ought to be why many industries do not provide such facilities. The flat beds in J and W are part of those rest facilities that companies provide (through the ticket price) to allow people to go to work straight off the plane.

Is that right? - Do CC work LHR-JFK-LHR in one long shift, on the same plane? Wow. I thought (assumed) there was always a rest period for crew between LH flights.

I have to say, looking at the photos of the crew rest areas, when cc see that area as a nice place to be, it shows what they have to put up with during the rest of their shift. I wouldn't fancy being squashed in a cell that you can't stand up in right in the tail of the plane. Oh okay, maybe I could if I let my mind wander on who I could share it with .

Cigarette break I thought there was no smoking on planes?

I think SRG was referring to people working on the ground...