Odd experience with a flight attendant HNL-LAX
#16
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Very strange experience. Reminds of a conversation is had with an AA FA in '98 or '99. She was one of those who bought into the whole "all the computers are going to crash when the new millenium comes because they only count to 1999" thing.
The flight I was waiting for was delayed and she bent my ear with the "planes are going to fall out the sky" at midnight stuff for a good long time.
Funny thing is that I was on another flight she worked some months later. She got a kind of "don't I know you look in her eye." Then as I was leaving, she gave me a bottle of wine wrapped in a blue tray table cloth!
20+ years ago, I guess, AA had a cockpit camera that looked forward over the pilot's right shoulder. Very weird. You really couldn't see much out the front window ... just the pilot and co-pilots' bald spots bouncing up and done just as you were bouncing up and down during taxi.
The flight I was waiting for was delayed and she bent my ear with the "planes are going to fall out the sky" at midnight stuff for a good long time.
Funny thing is that I was on another flight she worked some months later. She got a kind of "don't I know you look in her eye." Then as I was leaving, she gave me a bottle of wine wrapped in a blue tray table cloth!
20+ years ago, I guess, AA had a cockpit camera that looked forward over the pilot's right shoulder. Very weird. You really couldn't see much out the front window ... just the pilot and co-pilots' bald spots bouncing up and done just as you were bouncing up and down during taxi.
#17
Join Date: Feb 2008
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I just got off a DFW-HSV flight on AE and the FA also told everyone in the exit row that it the outside of the plane is on fire, to not open the doors. I've been been told this before. Then again, I've never sat in an exit row on AE so maybe this is common there.
#19
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Swiss also has the cameras on their A340s. Very cool.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Flew FC on JAL from NRT to ORD last month and they had a display in the middle of the cone section showing the view from a front camera. It was the first time I had seen this and was pretty cool on take-off. They turned it off shortly after that however.
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Tk
Report her. Sounds like a bit of an ugly duckling.
As for the nosewheel mounted camera, I flew JFK-NRT about 10 years ago and they had live video from the nosewheel during take off and landing. That was pretty cool. Just because AA doesn't do it doesn't mean it's because of one of many airline crashes that have happened since the 70's. JetBlue passengers got to watch the news coverage of their own plane circling an airport while a stuck nose gear issue was dealt with. That didn't stop that airline from offering in seat live TV.
As for the nosewheel mounted camera, I flew JFK-NRT about 10 years ago and they had live video from the nosewheel during take off and landing. That was pretty cool. Just because AA doesn't do it doesn't mean it's because of one of many airline crashes that have happened since the 70's. JetBlue passengers got to watch the news coverage of their own plane circling an airport while a stuck nose gear issue was dealt with. That didn't stop that airline from offering in seat live TV.
#22
Join Date: Dec 2006
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It's a flight crew member like this that makes me often wish that when times get tough as they are now at AA, that those let go first were not chosen solely on the basis of who has the least seniority.
I won't go on a rant about the sonority system, but it definitely impedes weeding out the bad apples.
I won't go on a rant about the sonority system, but it definitely impedes weeding out the bad apples.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2003
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American use to advertise many, MANY, years ago that we had camera's in the cockpit to showcase the take off and landings.
American did remove them shortly after the DC-10 incident in '79, but also figured out that they could gain more money putting music and advertisers on the radio than having a camera in the cockpit.
Yes, there are lots of other airlines that do have cameras, but American doesn't, and probably never will again.
Was this FA just being rude and inconsiderate, or just blatantly up front and honest? Was her approach to making sure the pax knew the fate about opening the door with Fire, or just another quack who doesn't know her left from her right?
If you do recall, the safety briefing card and the placard on the window does say not to open the exit if you see Fire, Debris, Smoke. Sure, her approach was uncalled for, and the uncertainty of her actions should be documented, however a lot of people don't like someone just being straight forward about the consequences. (I know there are ways and tactics to talk to pax, and obviously she didn't have it...but sometimes people don't like the abruptness of others)
Just the other day I stopped a lady who was barefoot just before she went into a back Lavatory. I told her that she should actually put her shoes on before going into the Lav. She looked at me and asked why. I told her that the the truth that the 'water' on the floor probably wasn't water. Of course she looked at me for being 'rude' about my approach, but one should NEVER walk around a public area/restroom in bare feet. It's unsanitary for one, and you never know if there is broken glass anywhere.
American did remove them shortly after the DC-10 incident in '79, but also figured out that they could gain more money putting music and advertisers on the radio than having a camera in the cockpit.
Yes, there are lots of other airlines that do have cameras, but American doesn't, and probably never will again.
Was this FA just being rude and inconsiderate, or just blatantly up front and honest? Was her approach to making sure the pax knew the fate about opening the door with Fire, or just another quack who doesn't know her left from her right?
If you do recall, the safety briefing card and the placard on the window does say not to open the exit if you see Fire, Debris, Smoke. Sure, her approach was uncalled for, and the uncertainty of her actions should be documented, however a lot of people don't like someone just being straight forward about the consequences. (I know there are ways and tactics to talk to pax, and obviously she didn't have it...but sometimes people don't like the abruptness of others)
Just the other day I stopped a lady who was barefoot just before she went into a back Lavatory. I told her that she should actually put her shoes on before going into the Lav. She looked at me and asked why. I told her that the the truth that the 'water' on the floor probably wasn't water. Of course she looked at me for being 'rude' about my approach, but one should NEVER walk around a public area/restroom in bare feet. It's unsanitary for one, and you never know if there is broken glass anywhere.
#24
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
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What a weird flight attendant. I would definitely write her up.
This reminds me of a F/A I flew with who told me to "Eat dried fruit before going through the metal detectors at the airport. Because all that radiation can be harmful and the dried fruit will absorb the radiation rather then you body." and to "Line the sleeves of your work shirt / dress with aluminum foil to ward off bad energy and spirits not only while working but any day all day"...
Matt
This reminds me of a F/A I flew with who told me to "Eat dried fruit before going through the metal detectors at the airport. Because all that radiation can be harmful and the dried fruit will absorb the radiation rather then you body." and to "Line the sleeves of your work shirt / dress with aluminum foil to ward off bad energy and spirits not only while working but any day all day"...
Matt
#25
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Back when JL flew LAX-NGO (the old Nagoya airport, not the new Centrair), they had cameras installed on their DC-10s. I remember that it was totally cool to see the view from the plane's nose as it pulled into the gate upon arrival.
I wish more US carriers had these installed...they need to remember that flying is cool
I wish more US carriers had these installed...they need to remember that flying is cool
#26
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You think this experience with an AA FA is bad? Check out the CO pilot on this thread in that forum.
#27
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 664
I believe cameras were taken out of AA A/C after the DC-10 incident in SJU, FLT# 633 June 27, 1985, SJU-DFW. 13 Crew, 257 Pax's.
And, cameras were on. On take-off, the a/c appeared to rotate, take-off aborted. Nose gear collapsed, a/c veered off course went off runway left into the lagoon.
I don't remember cameras after that.
Back to OP topic. Your f/a does appear to need help. Your tolerance is a show of kindness. Her problems are ahead of her. Hopefully, someone will be kind enough to get her help through EAP/ Employee Assistance Program.
And, cameras were on. On take-off, the a/c appeared to rotate, take-off aborted. Nose gear collapsed, a/c veered off course went off runway left into the lagoon.
I don't remember cameras after that.
Back to OP topic. Your f/a does appear to need help. Your tolerance is a show of kindness. Her problems are ahead of her. Hopefully, someone will be kind enough to get her help through EAP/ Employee Assistance Program.
Last edited by 777GalE; Jun 2, 2008 at 10:31 pm
#28
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#29
Join Date: Feb 2003
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Cut the FA some slack. For all we know, it could have been the anniversary date of one of her friends getting killed in a disaster, and she was handling it poorly.
If it were me, I'd still probably complain to AA though.
If it were me, I'd still probably complain to AA though.
#30
Join Date: Sep 2006
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well this is a bit tricky as well, as FA's have some sort of authority and where do u draw the line? can u tell and FA thats they are a bit looney? u can tell her "what did u say" have her repeat it and you tell her shes nuts. then u can think nothing of it, land at lax, be handcuffed and taken away by airport police id def report the FA but Im not sure how i would have reacted? i probably would have said something back. its one incident that i dont see very often with AA FA's. Let us know what happens