Originally Posted by
username
It seems to me that the more standard way is the pilots or purser announce "flight attendants take your jumpseats", service is suspended (and sometimes the FAs actually "shelter in place"), then the pilots/FAs update the passengers and resume service when they can.
What is the standard procedure? It seems some kind of PA announcement from the cockpit is beneficial so passengers know the FAs just did not make this up?
I don't know if there's a specific protocol, but the pilots speak to the FA's throughout the flight about things we never know about. Certainly they could inform the lead FA that turbulence is ahead and letting the FA judge whether they should suspend service temporarily.
I've personally seen a FA thrown to the floor by some nasty turbulence leaving LAX. It wasn't until after that happened that service suspension was announced. That was too late, and I'd rather the FA's be safe. Remember, what feels like light turbulence to you may contain the thread of even one or two big bumps that could cause serious injury.
It's possible there's just a lazy FA crew out there. But just remember the crew has much more information about what type of ride is coming up then passengers do.