FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Cabin Crew - how many minutes to landing?
Old Jan 18, 2013 | 11:41 am
  #35  
Queenoftheskies
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: London Heathrow or Crew Bunks
Posts: 20
Longhaul:
40 minute call followed by an arrival PA by the flight-crew. And a reminder in approx 20 minutes the seatbelt sign will come on and washrooms no-longer available.
At this stage, cabin crew may start their initial landing preparations; clearing away large bags, preparing galley, clearing exits/bulkheads.
20 minute call followed by seatbelt sign. Cabin Crew immediately start cabin securing; seatbelts, seats upright, exits clear, bulkheads clear, no electronic equipment on, toilets free, galley secure, pax seated etc.
Once all cabins are secure, 'cabin and galley secure checks' are then passed onto the SCCM who will then, once the full aircraft is secure and they've received their checks, give the PA 'Cabin Crew seats for landing' and pass on cabin/galleys secure to the flight-deck.

Shorthaul
20 minute call; arrival PA from flight-crew.
10 minute call; seatbelt sign on and cabin secure begins (as above)

Someone mentioned about some crew still carrying out their cabin secure whilst the gear was being deployed. There is no requirement for the crew to be seat by 'gear down'. In some cases the flights given a shortcut on approach so the '10minute call' is cut down to around 5-6 minutes. Meaning its inevitable crew are gonna be still securing when the gear is deployed. Plus, sometimes the gear is deployed much earlier on the approach to slow the aircraft down. When it comes to cabin/galley secures, the aircraft cannot land anyway until they've received the full aircraft secure message from the SCCM. Cabin Secure is a very critical part of our job so it is extremely important our checks are carried out properly and not rushed. If that means having to go around or carry out a missed approach then so be it. Safety is our number one concern.

Sometimes depending on shortcuts/holding/delays/winds the times are changed. Or, a 10 minute call suddenly turns into 15 minutes.
Queenoftheskies is offline