Do AA pilots forget to turn off the seatbelt sign sometimes?
Jan 9, 2017, 12:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Do AA pilots forget to turn off the seatbelt sign sometimes?
I know it's there for safety, and justifiably.
However, I just did LAX-LHR and the belt sign was on from around Denver-ish all the way to Heathrow. Gave only one hour of about 11 to get up.
It was a little bit bumpy over the mainland, but most of the Atlantic stretch was totally smooth.
People just ignored it to go to the loo eventually and staff didn't care... (even though the toilet doors don't lock in that situation, which was irksome).
However, I just did LAX-LHR and the belt sign was on from around Denver-ish all the way to Heathrow. Gave only one hour of about 11 to get up.
It was a little bit bumpy over the mainland, but most of the Atlantic stretch was totally smooth.
People just ignored it to go to the loo eventually and staff didn't care... (even though the toilet doors don't lock in that situation, which was irksome).
Jan 9, 2017, 12:53 pm
#3
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,769
Yeah, I was going to say the same. This must be an AA flight, where they take a very different approach to BA. Perhaps you need to ask this in the AA forum?
Jan 9, 2017, 12:54 pm
#5
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Wait a minute, it was AA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27727311-post1934.html
Probably best raised in the AA board since this isn't really relevant to BA. However, this is pretty standard on AA.
Probably best raised in the AA board since this isn't really relevant to BA. However, this is pretty standard on AA.
Jan 9, 2017, 12:55 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
Wait a minute, it was AA http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/27727311-post1934.html
Probably best raised in the AA board since this isn't really relevant to BA. However, this is pretty standard on AA.
Probably best raised in the AA board since this isn't really relevant to BA. However, this is pretty standard on AA.
Which begs the question: why do they do it?
Jan 9, 2017, 12:55 pm
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Jan 9, 2017, 12:57 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 2,447
I s'pose it's 'cos I'm so used to BA. Expected much the same on codeshare.
Jan 9, 2017, 12:58 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Flatland
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold 1MM, BA Gold, UA Peon
Posts: 6,109
On BA? I'm m surprised, frankly.Usually on BA the sign is on for good reasons (or good expectation of good reasons). Did any of the crew warn of expected turbulence? It may have been expected for a lot of the flight but not actually happened, no one is perfect at prediction.
On AA, between their tendency to leave the seatbelt on to top of climb or longer, to turn it on near start of descent, and on for the slightest bumping, it can feel like there are few occasions to relieve oneself within the letter of the rules. Predictably on AA most people ignore the seat belt sign if it doesn't seem bumpy and the crew don't tell them otherwise unless they have been warned it will be severe or it's during takeoff or landing.
On AA, between their tendency to leave the seatbelt on to top of climb or longer, to turn it on near start of descent, and on for the slightest bumping, it can feel like there are few occasions to relieve oneself within the letter of the rules. Predictably on AA most people ignore the seat belt sign if it doesn't seem bumpy and the crew don't tell them otherwise unless they have been warned it will be severe or it's during takeoff or landing.
Jan 9, 2017, 1:11 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
I think they do it in AA to avoid lawsuits if there is sudden turbulence and people hit their heads on the roof and then sue the airline for 10,000,000 USD for not telling them = )
Much safer just to keep seatbelt sign on.... Airline will be like I told you so !
Much safer just to keep seatbelt sign on.... Airline will be like I told you so !
Jan 9, 2017, 1:15 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,092
Yes they do forget but I very much doubt they were on for as long as you say, could they have gone off while you were asleep and come back on again before you woke up?
Jan 9, 2017, 1:18 pm
#13
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
Bear in mind the OP's flight is operated by AA not BA. On AA they don't remain on because they have simply forgotten, what the OP describes is standard practice on AA.