Call button etiquette?
 

OK, I'm curious: Where is everybody's thermometer on using the FA call button?

Umpty-thousand miles later, I have to admit I still look at it more like a fire pull box than as a bell-rope; more for the "Excuse me, this person next to me seems to be dying" than "Hi, I want a blanket."

Some of the threads in the AA forum about FC service have me noticing that there seem to be pretty wide opinions, though.

When do you use the call button?

Has that changed?

What kind of response do you get?

Does it vary by line, COS, or metal?

FAs, please chime in as well!

--Laird

I have long since given up on using call buttons on US carriers, even on international flights. You're lucky if anyone responds at all, and even if they do it's likely to be 30 minutes later with attitude. If I need something I walk myself to the galley and talk to the FAs there.

On Asian carriers, it's a whole different story. FA's arrive the moment your finger contacts the button.

As I once noted previously, when the topic first arose, never! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

laird,

There's plenty of info on this topic. Use the search function.
But since you asked...The call button is the newest musical instrument of the 20th century.

Dan

If i'm sitting in international biz or first, and it takes the FA 30 minutes to get my glass of water---bing

I recently flew to SAN and there were lots of UM (end of the school year). We were taxiing towards take off and the call button goes off, FA gets on PA and goes through the spiel "is the an emergency, etc" as we wait for a few minutes, it happens again. Apparently, some 8 yo UM really needed to go. She went back and got him and took him up the FC lav. No big deal, accident (ehem) averted and she was really good natured about it.

I don't use it at all.

The legitimacy of the request to the FA dictates where the thermometer will most likely be placed... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I press it whenever I want something if I haven't seen a server for a few minutes. Usually it's a water refill. Why not?

jer-

ROTF-LOL

And you should really receive a nice one (1) level promotion in elite status for your wonderfully appropriate comment.

MisterNice

Another vote for the "Never used it" box.

What do you do on a long flight when all the FA's have disappeared into galley/crew rest areas and you're dying of thirst?

bing.

Well, none of the FA's have posted on this thread yet, so I'll come out and ask.

Let's suppose regular service has been completed; I'm in an aisle seat; I need a drink of water to take a pill; the FA's aren't in sight.

Would you rather that I ring the bell, or that I come to the galley? Does the class of service make a difference?

On a UA flight a few weeks ago: A flight attendant announced over the P.A. system, "They've given us some survey forms to pass out on this flight. If you'd like to fill one out, please press your call button."

I think you can figure out what happened next. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Perhaps this belongs in the Funny Things thread?

I fly coach 95% of the time and international 85% of the time. If I need something I get up and get it if the seat belt light is off. I may feel different if I flew FC all the time. It is nice to get up and move around as well as chatting with flight attendants in the galley.

Not ringing my call button may also have to do with being a prior airline employee. I felt it was rude when I was staff. Airline employees try to be as inconspicuous as possible.

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The world is a book, and for those who do not travel, read only a page.
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