Originally Posted by
cblaisd
a) Had a chat (not a "lecture" -- your word, remember) with her later, in which I began by apologizing for getting up but noting that I feared for the other passengers' safety. My experience is that beginning with an apology -- even when one isn't obligated to -- can be a way of de-fusing the situation and allowing communication to occur.
OK, my apologies there. Lecture was a bad word to choose, so my apologies there. I would say "explain" may be a better word. Under no circumstances, even though I see where you are coming from, would I apologize to the FA for what I would have done. Even if it eases the conversation, I believe apologies should be sincere, and not just something you start a sentence with. IMO, when you apologize for something it means you have the intent of not doing it again, and I would have taken the same action every single time. I agree, though, poor word choice on my part.
Further, allow me to clarify. If the FA chose not to do anything- fine! That is perfectly fine, as I see the safety concern, and I don't want any FA to compromise their safety for something like this. Nonetheless, I would expect the FA to not engage in a "finger war," especially when she should know that there is a reason for engaging in a finger war. If the passenger really just chose to get up for no good reason, chances are they would not try to defend it, not to mention that this kind of action seems completely pointless.
To address one of your other points:
I personally see absolutely no reason that I would write CS afterwards. It is not so much a general complaint as it is a direct thing that should be discussed with the FA, IMO.