Originally Posted by
Robert Leach
My experience has been that on occasion flight attendants use a late departure as a reason not to do a PDB. Personally, the way the aisles clog up in the back whilst people stow the carry-on bags, I don't think the PDB is the problem. It is all the carry-on bags that delay everyone getting seated and out.
My personal opinion is that the PDB is both a tradition and an essential requirement for the front cabin. If we can take five minutes to explain to everyone how to buckle a seat belt, we can serve a PDB.
late departure is a poor excuse. I never find that it’s impossible to get PDBs done in the allotted time. Your observation about lines in the back is very valid. Usually I can be in and out of the aisle before the end of the line is more than a few rows into C+. Most aircraft it’s a non issue because I’m smaller and can squeeze up and down the aisle negating the need to hold pax.
Regarding the safety demo, that’s completed during surface movement and no FA should be doing service at that point as we are only legally permitted to perform safety related duties at that point (picking up cups, safety demo, compliance checks) we should not have galley carts open or service items in the counter at this point (from flight deck door closure to 10,000 feet. Obviously you see flight attendants up and about and the reality is they shouldn’t be, but having carts/carriers open is a very noticeable violation. As with every crew, ymmv.
delta policy is that a PDB service should always be attempted. My variance from this rule is when catering leaves with less than 10 minutes to door closure. Because I have 15 other things I’m worrying about to make sure the door is closed and the delay doesn’t shift to me but I make every effort to get it done because i hate starting a flight off on the wrong foot.