I'm going to start using the FA call button. Why not?!
 

In the past, I've always considered the FA call button a last resort, primarily for dire situations, safety or health. But in the past, inflight service particularly on long haul flights was far more attentive. Now we have situations where passengers are left to their own devices for hours on end. Even in J and F.

So, the times they are a changing and so will I:

The moment I feel abandoned or poorly serviced, rather than sit there annoyed, the call button is getting pushed. I literally will be pushier to get the service I desire.

Why not!?

I just go to the bathroom and ask for something on my way back to my seat...works every time and let's them know I am awake and would like to be checked on.

Viva la revolucion

:eek:

I use it all the time and have never understood why so many are afraid to do so.

I was flying DFW-GRU and I was actually told after pushing the Flight Attendant Call Button that it was exclusively for Emergencies ONLY and that otherwise I should wait patiently and that was in F.

So, since then I have avoided it like the plague and only contemplated using when an actual emergency occurred.

Yes, I have been subjected to the "we are there for your safety and security and that is what the bell is for" spiel. It's hard not to think "lazy gits".

And whne you do you use it the flight attendant will come over and say "hello sir what seems to be the problem".

Meh..

I think there is a 1 out of 3 chance that you will be warned about not using the call button as it is "interfering with a flight crew" while they are trying to gossip, read or play games in the galley.

If you were to ring it twice in one flight, I feel sure that there is a 2 out of 3 chance you will be threatened with an air marshal, the Chicago airport police, or a male SFO based flight attendant with the latter threat scaring me the most.

thats insane. i use it and haven't once had an issue when asking for a second of something.

sarcasm my friend....

A lot of people here like to dwell on persecution fantasies that are actually highly unlikely.

Yeah, any lazy FA who told me that would get summoned via call button for many things that flight.

:rolleyes:

Absolutely 100%. If a flight attendant told me that silliness I'll be hittin' that button like it's a dinner bell.

Then they just ignore it/you, and turn it off as they pass your seat.

It's easy to just turn it back on.

I think I've used a call button a total of 5 times in 20+ years of flying. Aggressive laziness on the part of an employee might certainly change that for a single flight if only to make a point. ;)

Assuming your plane has wifi would be a great opportunity for twitter: Hi AA your lazy FA just told us the call button is only for emergencies - can you clarify AA policy?

Then show the FA the response from AA, using the call button to get their attention of course.

I find on the Airbus if you are seated in the window you have to reach over into your seatmate's face to hit the call button (or air vents). I try to use it only when necessary like a spill. Otherwise I make a request going to the lav or as a FA is walking by.

Did this on a LOT flight recently (WAW-ICN) and the FA just pointed to the bottles of water on the drinks trolley with a 'you can serve yourself look'. Same thing happened on the return leg. In fact, all the Y cabin crew were sitting together at the back, were they spent virtually the entire flight chatting with each other while the pax kept coming to serve themselves drinks.

How about having an option on the Inflight Entertainment Screen to order a drink or snack and the light above is Blue but in an Emergency you either press the Red Button and the light flashes Red with three tones pause three tones etc. being heard in the galley. A double tone for non emergencies.

Or on other planes who do not have the IFE system you press a Red Button for an Emergency and a Green Button for other non urgent needs.

OnStar in the car has different buttons one for SOS one for the Concierge.

Just my two cents.

Well, you know how it is with that LOT. :rolleyes:


:D

Better yet, a Morse code setup so you could telegraph your orders!

There is nothing wrong with hitting the call button, just don't act surprised when I show up at your seat:D

Here we go, from Twitter Team:

https://preview.ibb.co/cCHEqk/IMG_6443.jpg

Its all about the way you interact with cabin crew.

Face them as their employee & they will treat you as a nothing. Have an air of authority & you will be served.

Too many passengers think they are bothering crew. My view, especially if I am in F, ping the button, ask for what you require, say thank you and if it doesn't come ask if there is a problem....

Oysterhead 43 I think you have settled this question.

Thanks.

I would screen shoot that and flash it anytime some flight attendant comes by (eventually) and asks what's the problem.

Where in the world did you hear the FA call button is only for emergencies? :confused:

Aye carumba... I'm going to bite my tongue on the rest of my thought...

Regards

I had a FA have a right pop at me on an EasyJet flight once for using.

I complained to the main FA on my way off.

I wish I had been quicker to respond at the time by pointing out to her that if it was for emergencies only why the hell has it got a picture of you holding an iced drink on it?

I won't be not replying of there is a next time

I use this approach too. I go to the toilet and when I come out, I say "May I please have a diet coke(*)...I am in 2F. Thanks."

(*) or an OJ with Tito's vodka in it

HE heard it here, post #6

Really?

I use it all the time and my main route the past 2 years has been DFW/JFK to GRU. In fact, after I've use it to request beverage refills the FA have come by more often asking if I needed anything else.
I used it a few times last Monday, the Flight Attendant actually offered me a wine tasting, we chatted for a few and she said... call me if you need anything else. She was wonderful I hope she is on my flight next week.

AirNZ did this a few years ago - it caused much resentment from the crew who quickly found they could just forget to turn it on; or keep it on for a minimal time.

After 20+ years of flying Qantas domestically, I just call it the "ignore button". (To be fair, they do respond in a reasonably timely fashion about ¼ of the time.)

I agree with those posting about going to the galley instead.

The change I made was to stop paying for J and F. :)

On Norwegian a few weeks back, every time I ordered something through the IFE, it was delivered to my seat in under 60 seconds. Found it far preferable to sitting around for half the flight wondering when I'd get a drink.

Why do you think the button is there?

exactly London Elite... to be pressed

I remember sitting in F - this happened a while ago - and the FAs for F and for Y were chatting in the front galley. Someone in Y pressed the call button. The FAs stopped mid-chat and one of them went: "Did someone just press the call button?" in a tone signifying indignation. Her friend who was responsible for Y responded in a snappy way: "Oh they better not have. What on earth is their problem?" before continuing their chat. The passenger a few minutes later physically walked up to the FAs to ask an admittedly dumb question but still, I half smh'ed, half lol'ed.

With the crew in this thread, I'm in no way shocked that this is the reply they receive.

Call button is there to summon cabin crew for service when they aren't actively delivering it. There's a reason it has a picture of an FA holding a drink on a tray.

There are also ashtrays on many aircraft. Both are relics from a former era.

Come on. Just get out of your seat and walk up to the galley and ask politely. I am sure that you'd get a better result that way.

Don't be high-maintenance.