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)