Originally Posted by
anandrag
One more question: how are the headsets? Noise canceling? Should I bring my own Bose? Prefer not to if don't need to since adds weight and volume in carry on
The current generation of headsets are meh. They don't seem to be doing as much active noise cancelling as pmUA headsets.
Don't have high expectations for GF, given my experiences. There is only a marginal difference in catering, and service is totally dependent on the flight crew--but never comparable to a REAL international first experience. On a recent GF flight from Beijing on a 747, the aging flight attendants refused to help a passenger (or find help from a taller or younger flight attendant) put her roller board into the overhead bin. This GF passenger sought help because she could not reach the overhead bin. The GF flight attendant told her that "if you bring a bag on the airplane, you have to be able to stow it yourself". In first class. On Singapore air in coach, the flight attendants practically knocked me down to grab my bag and store it for me. You can only imagine the shock and disbelief of a paying GF passenger being treated like this. On the same flight, my special meal was not boarded, headsets are hardly noise-cancelling and IFE had nothing of interest whatsoever. On a previous leg of this itinerary, I had flown SWISS and AIR CHINA in business class. They trumped UA GF in everything except the physical seat and its storage cabinets.
The luggage helping thing seems like an Asian airline requirement. I saw a CX FA, because of her height, step on the seat rail to get a bag up to the luggage bin, which I thought was a workplace safety hazard.
Originally Posted by
milepig
If what one FA told me is true, I don't blame them. Yes, I know, never trust what the say, but she said she was just back at work after being out for some time after after twisting her back helping do just what you describe above. Neither her medical or time out was paid because they're specifically NOT supposed to lift things for the pax.
True, or just another rumor?
Contractually, the FAs are not obligated to deal with the bags in-cabin. However, many, including our resident FAs on FT, suggest that they lift up the bag together with the passenger as opposed to having the FA lifting the bag alone - kind of like what they do in the safety video on the beach.
I have heard about the no medical paid leave as a result bag-related injuries. I'm guessing it'll be based on individual's circumstance/medical leave time availability/seriousness of injury.