Ask the BA Staffer and Heathrow ATC
Nov 20, 2011, 7:19 am
#91
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Nov 20, 2011, 7:22 am
#92
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,014
Not sure why I've just thought of this one. But here goes:
- are you trained to pass CC colleagues in the aisles crotch to crotch, rear to crotch or rear to rear?
I confess to not knowing which one is the least offensive to do when passing fellow passengers
- are you trained to pass CC colleagues in the aisles crotch to crotch, rear to crotch or rear to rear?
I confess to not knowing which one is the least offensive to do when passing fellow passengers
Nov 20, 2011, 7:22 am
#93
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sussex
Posts: 346
One from me: What's the weirdest/funniest attempt at trying to get an onboard upgrade that you can recall?
"The gate staff said I could have an upgrade - they obviously forgot to tell you"
"I'm a GCH so I have to be upgraded. I don't want to sit with my family"
At what age do BA's cabin and flight crew have to retire?
Can you tell us about a time when you felt like saying 'to hell with this' and 'im not coming back'?
What is the weirdest object (food, implement, rabbit, light bulb etc etc - any object, basically) that you have ever been asked for in flight?
MP3 chargers, Portable DVD players, apricot juice, caviar, stuff like that. All terribly innocent, really.
When you have stops, what do you like to buy to take back home?
That's all for now. Can I take a break now please? My roast dinner isn't going to cook itself, you know
Nov 20, 2011, 7:25 am
#94
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Sussex
Posts: 346
That made me laugh, sorry. There isn't a module about passing in the aisles at CC training school, I'm afraid. We just pass each other one way or the other. The most non-offensive way is rear to rear, I reckon, as otherwise you might get too close to each other's faces and if you're passing a female you might inadvertently touch something you shouldn't ...
Nov 20, 2011, 7:26 am
#95
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But just a few weeks ago I had a passenger demand he be upgraded as he was a gold card holder and Willie Walsh had arranged an upgrade on every one of his flights with BA, of which he'd taken 20 this month alone. If I didn't do it I wouldn't have a job by the end of the day after he'd spoken to Willie.
The passenger was a blue card holder, had no other flights booked with BA (nor any flights taken in the previous few months) and flew in the cabin he'd paid for, ie. economy. I still have my job I'm pleased to say.
Fortunately for them the person concerned got on the phone to IT to fix the problem, but only after I suggested that I wasn't budging from where I was until we were checked in, even if it meant we missed the flight. Bit rich to start demanding upgrades (which I've never done), even if you do know the people concerned, which he patently didn't.
Nov 20, 2011, 7:29 am
#96
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Nov 20, 2011, 7:31 am
#97
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Nov 20, 2011, 7:32 am
#98
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Apologies for returning to such a depressing subject, but a couple more points to the question of getting out of an aircraft in an emergency. Sorry if this is a bit too detailed and graphic but as has already been said, forewarned is forearmed.
1. Keep your shoes on for take-off and landing. It never fails to amaze me how many regular fliers take their shoes off as soon as sitting down. Even in a "semi-normal" evacuation, you do not want to be running around the tarmac in your socks.
2. If you are in a window seat, keep the window blind open. What is happening outside the aircraft could be a big clue on which way you need to go. It may also let extra light into the cabin.
3. Headphones. Don't just take them out of your ears and leave them hanging. Take them out completely and tidy up and stow the cables. If you need to get out of there in a hurry, you do not want to find yourself tangled up in the arm rest. In a fire situation, even a small delay can make a difference. Same for other electrics.
4. Keep the floor clear. No papers discarded as you read them. Bags tucked well under the seat if applicable. No bag handles trailing from under the seat.
5. Back to awareness. Don't just count the rows to the nearest exit. Make sure you know how far it is to the alternatives both, in front and behind.
6. During an evacuation, if fire is present, grab something to cover your mouth and nose. If nothing is available, use the head rest cover. 99% of the time, the fumes will kill before the fire does.
7. Again, in a fire situation, try to keep as low as is safely possible without risking being trampled.
8. I always keep my jacket on for take off and landing, not only because I could suddenly find myself running around in the cold outside, but also because it offers some protection from flying debris.
9. And yet again, awareness. What can you see happening around you? Is one exit obviously blocked? Is there another you can use? Are the seats in front of you empty? If need be, can you push the backs down and go over the top? Bear in mind you may not be able to hear instructions from the crew. Apart from hearing being one of the first senses to go in a traumatic incident, the noise and confusion will possibly/probably be overwhelming.
10. And finally, I know it's something we bang on about all the time, but watch the demo. Make some plans. Ask questions about anything you are unsure of. Have a look at one of the main doors. How do they work? Could you open one if the crew are incapacitated? Know the aircraft you are travelling on. No crew member worth their salt will have any problem with answering your queries if you explain why you are asking.
Once again, apologies for being so graphic and possibly stating the obvious in some areas. The above tips, in most part, cover the possible worse case scenarios, something which thankfully, the vast majority of people will never encounter. They aren't intended to frighten people. But if, God forbid, one of us should find ourselves in that situation, they may just help
1. Keep your shoes on for take-off and landing. It never fails to amaze me how many regular fliers take their shoes off as soon as sitting down. Even in a "semi-normal" evacuation, you do not want to be running around the tarmac in your socks.
2. If you are in a window seat, keep the window blind open. What is happening outside the aircraft could be a big clue on which way you need to go. It may also let extra light into the cabin.
3. Headphones. Don't just take them out of your ears and leave them hanging. Take them out completely and tidy up and stow the cables. If you need to get out of there in a hurry, you do not want to find yourself tangled up in the arm rest. In a fire situation, even a small delay can make a difference. Same for other electrics.
4. Keep the floor clear. No papers discarded as you read them. Bags tucked well under the seat if applicable. No bag handles trailing from under the seat.
5. Back to awareness. Don't just count the rows to the nearest exit. Make sure you know how far it is to the alternatives both, in front and behind.
6. During an evacuation, if fire is present, grab something to cover your mouth and nose. If nothing is available, use the head rest cover. 99% of the time, the fumes will kill before the fire does.
7. Again, in a fire situation, try to keep as low as is safely possible without risking being trampled.
8. I always keep my jacket on for take off and landing, not only because I could suddenly find myself running around in the cold outside, but also because it offers some protection from flying debris.
9. And yet again, awareness. What can you see happening around you? Is one exit obviously blocked? Is there another you can use? Are the seats in front of you empty? If need be, can you push the backs down and go over the top? Bear in mind you may not be able to hear instructions from the crew. Apart from hearing being one of the first senses to go in a traumatic incident, the noise and confusion will possibly/probably be overwhelming.
10. And finally, I know it's something we bang on about all the time, but watch the demo. Make some plans. Ask questions about anything you are unsure of. Have a look at one of the main doors. How do they work? Could you open one if the crew are incapacitated? Know the aircraft you are travelling on. No crew member worth their salt will have any problem with answering your queries if you explain why you are asking.
Once again, apologies for being so graphic and possibly stating the obvious in some areas. The above tips, in most part, cover the possible worse case scenarios, something which thankfully, the vast majority of people will never encounter. They aren't intended to frighten people. But if, God forbid, one of us should find ourselves in that situation, they may just help
Nov 20, 2011, 7:34 am
#99
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: London, England
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Really? Why would they pull out and dispose of such an item? Surely there is no law against it, or rule disallowing carriage, even in hand luggage?
Nov 20, 2011, 7:35 am
#100
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Originally Posted by sunrisegirl
Well the sex toys don't normally make it to the aircraft as I've often seen the security people pulling out rabbits of the rampant variety and disposing of them.
Nov 20, 2011, 7:36 am
#101
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
Nov 20, 2011, 7:36 am
#102
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
I often carry product samples and I do get a few funny looks from security Another question for me - directed at the ground staff...
I love to travel for holidays and love experiencing new cultures and different types of people all over the world. This makes me very excited to go on holiday. When travelling on business, I am usually a right grumpy b@st@rd (
). Is it obvious on check-in, at the lounges, and coming onboard the reason for people's trips? (Note: when travelling for work, I am often dressed the same way as if I would be travelling for leisure )
Last edited by rossmacd; Nov 20, 2011 at 7:58 am
Nov 20, 2011, 7:38 am
#103
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Near Edinburgh
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 9,034
Another question: what's the weirdest attire you've ever seen at checkin or on-board?
^ to ColdWalker for this thread. A great break from the Avios stuff.
^ to ColdWalker for this thread. A great break from the Avios stuff.
Nov 20, 2011, 7:42 am
#104
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Wild Wiltshire
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Posts: 3,455
during the LeMans 24hr there was a guy running down Arnage main street in a mankini and flipflops, that has stuck with me for years
Nov 20, 2011, 7:43 am
#105
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
Some time ago I also saw a passenger with lots of tins of tuna and bags of rice at LHR who was stopped at security, presumably for the liquid in tinned tuna. I was a bit confused as to why she was carrying them in hand luggage, but I suppose her hold luggage may have been full.
I suppose she didn't need to ask for them from cabin crew, assuming the security let her through with them.