Originally Posted by
El Boocho
I was on an ATL-DCA flight yesterday and the crew made everyone sit for the last 30 minutes of the flight. They gave the old speach about it being an FAA rule that everyone be in their seats for the final 30 minutes coming into DCA. When questioned about it, the FA, who was very friendly and confused about the situation said that the pilots were required to sign a document recently affirming that they would adhere to this rule. We didn't press her further on it because she clearly didn't know what the deal was, but said that she was suprised about it. She also made a comment about the TSA and FAA basically ruining the air transportation industry.
So the question is, are they bringing back this stupid rule?
You probably had an uptight pilot who decided to make it his rule.
I find that some pilots are laid back with their pre-flight briefing while others go overboard with the security lecture.
I had a laid back pilot on a US flight a week ago with a spectacular flight crew. I talked to one of the FA's who knew of Flyertalk during boarding and she took good care of me. OTOH, just a couple days ago I had a "strict" pilot on an AA flight who gave the "two minute security lecture".
The pilot on the AA flight was great otherwise - he gave some good route info & updates on the PA, pointed out unique landmarks (was a clear day) and just prior to final he talked about the mild winter/lack of snow, said we'd be flying over Lake Michigan and to have a look to the left for a great view of Chicago and in just a few minutes we'd be making a left turn on our final to O'Hare ... if you're on the left you'll be able to see Wrigley Field, etc.
At the end of the flight he was outside the cockpit door shaking pax hands, thanking everyone for flying American, etc. A couple of kids were deplaning with parents before me - he told them to take seats up in first class if they wanted to see the cockpit after everyone deplaned. He was a real stand-up guy, proud of his job and company ... but a security stickler.
I notice AA has it's share of security stickler pilots (and FAs) compared to other carriers -- I almost get the impression it's company policy, whereas the pilots tend to be more laid back on NW, US, or CO as a general rule when giving the pre-departure speech. Had some real strick ones on US Express back in December where they said "please be aware the cockpit door is at the front of the aircraft - we prohibit passengers from approaching the cockpit door inflight" -- it was an ERJ and I was in 1A.
Nice FA, but she seemed a bit nervous. One pax did approach the galley to get something and I put my legs into the aisle so he didn't accidently go any further. The FA noticed me putting my legs out and actually thanked me! I wasn't worried but figured it wouldn't hurt to block the aisle with my legs given the "strict" announcement. Maybe the FA had a bad experience recently - ya never know.