Originally Posted by
igopogo
Ugh...this was my new low point in AA (interior) maintenance.
Our seat lights in all center seats were not functioning MAD-DFW. They weren't just off...they were flashing on and off by themselves about once per minute, for the whole 10 hour flight. No way to turn them on or off. At first I thought my neighbor was leaning against the button....but I looked back and most of the lamps had garbage bags taped over them to keep the light from annoying folks. Gotta tell you, it's impossible to read and very difficult to sleep like that. Oh, and of course, no power ports. That was a very long 10 hours.
Okay, I'm done.
http://www.faa.gov/contact/safety_hotline/
Link to FAA Safety Hotline, which requires FAA to investigate.
Very concerning. Flashing lights of any type that have not been diagnosed/corrected by company maintenance, (or deactivated) represent an unquantifiable safety risk. A TransAtlantic crossing with potential electrical faults and the company "fix" to cover hot lamps with flammable materials not acceptable.
There is a circuit breaker that if pulled may have deactivated all the PSU lights, but maybe connected to other passenger amenity systems and crew elected not to pull breaker. Would much rather have not had a reading light and maybe audio (very poor on AA 767 anyway) than be wondering if the flickering continuing for hours would lead to a much more serious problem.
Covering dozens of hot lamps above pax heads with plastic reckless and stupid and not in company mx program, whether done by mx or cabin crew.
Potential electrical fault could lead to hidden cabin fire behind panels, etc... Not a good thing anywhere, but over the North Atlantic even more dangerous. That is alot of ocean to ditch in.
Swiss MD-11 total loss at Peggy's Cove due to passenger entertainment system electrical fault.
Consider report to FAA. Email report link above or leave voicemail with all flight/date details at 1-866-TELL-FAA.