FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Is is appropriate to Press the FA call button to ask for a Drink?
Old Jul 18, 2006 | 1:28 pm
  #21  
sany2
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Detroit
Programs: Northwest Platinum
Posts: 1,533
Originally Posted by gglave
>Would it be okay or awkward to press the FA
>call button to ask for a drink when seated in Y

I think it depends on the airline. For example, during their 'welcome message' over the PA, United's FAs make it *very* clear that they're there 'for your safety' and to 'assist you in an emergency' - Everything else is secondary and their attitude makes that clear. I've seen them snap at pax who have pushed the call button to ask for a drink or pillow.

However, on a more customer-oriented oriented airline like WestJet I probably wouldn't have a probem pushing the button as they're more 'VFR'-oriented ('visiting friends and relatives') and don't cater to business travellers as much. Southwest may be the same - I'm not sure as I've never flown them.

I've also seem similar cultural differences between Lufthansa and British Airways, i.e. I wouldn't push the button on LH but would on BA (however, that may have changed, as I haven't flown BA in five years).

Cheers,
Geoff Glave
Vancouver
If I had gotten "what is your emergency" as a response to the call button, I would have had a nice word with the lead FA about what it means to work in a service industry and what the definition of attendant was (before September 11 that is, now I would be afraid to have even a gentle argument with any airline staff member)
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