First- no escort to seat?
Oct 4, 2021, 3:59 pm
#1
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First- no escort to seat?
didnt see this, but thought id recount my experience the last few weeks in F back and forth to the US.
first, the outbound LHR-JFK was a bus gate. thrilling. then up the stairs, no escort just a "go across and turn left" ok. and they were harried preparing...even though we were 3/8 on that flight.
on the return JFK-LHR nothing again. we were 7/8 until someone was brought up after takeoff for reasons undetermined.
while i do not particularly care, it is indicative of standards slipping unless i'm wrong and it is meant to be a service standard that has been eliminated, which is why i'm curious.
first, the outbound LHR-JFK was a bus gate. thrilling. then up the stairs, no escort just a "go across and turn left" ok. and they were harried preparing...even though we were 3/8 on that flight.
on the return JFK-LHR nothing again. we were 7/8 until someone was brought up after takeoff for reasons undetermined.
while i do not particularly care, it is indicative of standards slipping unless i'm wrong and it is meant to be a service standard that has been eliminated, which is why i'm curious.
Oct 4, 2021, 4:02 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2015
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Whilst this is a heated debate and I’m not one suggesting everything is covid related but social distancing may be a concern for some passengers so abandoning the escorting policy seems ok for these times. But that’s simply my guess!
Oct 4, 2021, 4:10 pm
#5
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ah, covid may be at play, i didnt consider that.
in terms of door, there were three or four crew on both flights at the door, so not that!
was just curious as it really does not make anymore difference than getting a gch or ggl welcome on board lol. i just thought it a bit odd on my first firsts back in a long time.
in terms of door, there were three or four crew on both flights at the door, so not that!
was just curious as it really does not make anymore difference than getting a gch or ggl welcome on board lol. i just thought it a bit odd on my first firsts back in a long time.
Oct 4, 2021, 5:50 pm
#6
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 346
ah, covid may be at play, i didnt consider that.
in terms of door, there were three or four crew on both flights at the door, so not that!
was just curious as it really does not make anymore difference than getting a gch or ggl welcome on board lol. i just thought it a bit odd on my first firsts back in a long time.
in terms of door, there were three or four crew on both flights at the door, so not that!
was just curious as it really does not make anymore difference than getting a gch or ggl welcome on board lol. i just thought it a bit odd on my first firsts back in a long time.
Oct 4, 2021, 5:53 pm
#7
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Escorting F pax to seat is now back as a service standard, but currently all longhaul flights are operating with one less crew member so may be stretched especially with the CW pre take off service back and distribution of sanitising wipes to all pax as a priority. Also it was taken out of service standards for a while for social distancing so crew may not realise it's back in the standards, especially if they have only just returned to work . Not excuses, just an explanation why it hadnt happened.
Oct 4, 2021, 6:10 pm
#8
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Oct 5, 2021, 2:00 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2016
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When travelling on First I always decline the escort to my seat as I consider it totally unnecessary. I have never experienced a problem in locating my seat and where there is only one door being used for boarding (which is the norm at LHR) this slows down the boarding process for everyone else.
Oct 5, 2021, 2:24 am
#11
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Oct 5, 2021, 2:33 am
#12
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I think its always based on 'If Possible" If youve boarded just after a parent with a babe in arms and crew member is helplng them with a spare pair of hands, or if the Dispatcher or Flight deck require the assistance of the Number one and has taken them away from the door, then sometimes I struggle on and find my seat myself.
Oct 5, 2021, 6:10 am
#13
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Oct 5, 2021, 6:24 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2010
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+1. It's not like they do anything when you get there. Getting a seat in F means you have something about you so finding your seat in F should not be beyond the capabilities of anyone except the uber rich who cannot fasten their own shoelaces.
A true butler style service would see them escort you to the seat, them hand you a menu, amenities pack, sleeper suit and ask if you are familiar with the basic functions of the seat before leaving you with a pre-departure beverage having introduced you to the crew member who will be looking after you on the flight. The crew would have to be better prepared for boarding and have more crew near the door assigned to this based on the numbers in F. But if you are going to do it, do it properly or not at all. Don't do it half arsed.
Instead, it is a race through the cabins to the seat where there is then this awkward silence where you can see they have 101 other things to do and they just slink off leaving you hanging until another crew member notices you have arrived.
A true butler style service would see them escort you to the seat, them hand you a menu, amenities pack, sleeper suit and ask if you are familiar with the basic functions of the seat before leaving you with a pre-departure beverage having introduced you to the crew member who will be looking after you on the flight. The crew would have to be better prepared for boarding and have more crew near the door assigned to this based on the numbers in F. But if you are going to do it, do it properly or not at all. Don't do it half arsed.
Instead, it is a race through the cabins to the seat where there is then this awkward silence where you can see they have 101 other things to do and they just slink off leaving you hanging until another crew member notices you have arrived.