How Long After Takeoff Can I Put Down My Bed in C?
Apr 24, 2013, 8:06 pm
#16
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And the most peculiar thing is that it's 10,000 feet MSL (above mean sea level), not 10,000 above the ground. When operating in and out of places such as DEN you have only half the distance and time to get there. And coming out of LPB, where the airport elevation is well over 10,000 MSL, you're out of the sterile zone at wheels up.
Apr 24, 2013, 9:24 pm
#18
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Yes, at wheels up is the right answer.
There are two reasons for having the seats upright at take off...and landing.
First is if there must be an emergency departure from the aircraft during the takeoff phase (e.g. being on the ground in an unplanned situation) then the access to the exits must not be impeded. A reclined seat restricts the path for those passengers not seated on the aisle.
Second is that if there were a crash landing at take off (that's also an unplanned event), then the, "for your safety", phrase kicks in as the seat belts are most effective when the seats are upright.
There are two reasons for having the seats upright at take off...and landing.
First is if there must be an emergency departure from the aircraft during the takeoff phase (e.g. being on the ground in an unplanned situation) then the access to the exits must not be impeded. A reclined seat restricts the path for those passengers not seated on the aisle.
Second is that if there were a crash landing at take off (that's also an unplanned event), then the, "for your safety", phrase kicks in as the seat belts are most effective when the seats are upright.
Apr 24, 2013, 9:44 pm
#19
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I'll usually get my feet up and myself in a half-recline as soon as I board. 30 minutes later when they're ready to close the door and taxi, I'll bring everything upright as requested, then back into a recline or flat bed as soon as we're off the ground
Apr 25, 2013, 1:38 pm
#22
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Can we talk about shoes?
I always take off my shoes upon boarding, stow them away and don the little socks you get in the amenity kit.
One random FA once instructed me to put my shoes back on in case of an emergency.
I always take off my shoes upon boarding, stow them away and don the little socks you get in the amenity kit.
One random FA once instructed me to put my shoes back on in case of an emergency.
Apr 25, 2013, 1:47 pm
#23
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I leave my shoes on until about 5000 ft, in case there's an emergency and I need to exit quickly. I wouldn't want to be futzing with shoes instead of bracing for impact while Sully's ditching us in the Hudson.
Apr 25, 2013, 1:52 pm
#24
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Billy
Apr 25, 2013, 2:23 pm
#25
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Come to think of it, I have never seen any written regulation or guideline, nor heard any verbal announcement, regarding when the "takeoff" phase has concluded for the purpose of reclining seats. My assumption has always been that it's at wheels-up.
I have always wondered whether it's AGL or MSL. Thanks for demystifying that. ^
And the most peculiar thing is that it's 10,000 feet MSL (above mean sea level), not 10,000 above the ground. When operating in and out of places such as DEN you have only half the distance and time to get there. And coming out of LPB, where the airport elevation is well over 10,000 MSL, you're out of the sterile zone at wheels up.
Apr 25, 2013, 2:49 pm
#28
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No matter in C or F, I generally recline the seat within 1-2 minutes after takeoff. I've never been scolded. Although I'm also not sure any FA's really noticed given they are sitting at that time in the galleys. I've never been in line of site with an FA while they were seated to test out their reaction when the visual evidence is obvious.
I've done this on NH and UA consistently. Interestingly, as another datapoint, once when flying China Air, departing from Shenzen in C, we sat on the tarmac late at night for at least 30 minutes at which point my colleague and I both fully reclined our seats and promptly passed out with seat belts fastened.
When we both woke up a couple hours later, we were mid flight with blankets having been draped over us and our fully reclined seats never having moved a peep during further taxing, take off or anything else! That was some good service, albeit perhaps at the slight cost of some safety.
I've done this on NH and UA consistently. Interestingly, as another datapoint, once when flying China Air, departing from Shenzen in C, we sat on the tarmac late at night for at least 30 minutes at which point my colleague and I both fully reclined our seats and promptly passed out with seat belts fastened.
When we both woke up a couple hours later, we were mid flight with blankets having been draped over us and our fully reclined seats never having moved a peep during further taxing, take off or anything else! That was some good service, albeit perhaps at the slight cost of some safety.
Apr 25, 2013, 3:29 pm
#29
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Apr 25, 2013, 3:56 pm
#30
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And the most peculiar thing is that it's 10,000 feet MSL (above mean sea level), not 10,000 above the ground. When operating in and out of places such as DEN you have only half the distance and time to get there. And coming out of LPB, where the airport elevation is well over 10,000 MSL, you're out of the sterile zone at wheels up.
Don't suppose you have a citation to a contrary controlling authority on the subject?
From the cockpit perspective, wheels up is when the wheels have fully retracted and the wheel well doors have closed (showing all green lights on the instrument panel).