IFM abandons safety briefing to look out window at Royal Family...
Aug 27, 23, 10:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 556
IFM abandons safety briefing to look out window at Royal Family...
Due to the deeply personal and highly personal unpleasant abuse I've taken as a result of posting this thread, I am deleting the original content.
Last edited by jimlad48; Aug 28, 23 at 8:15 am
Aug 27, 23, 10:52 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 3,723
Just had an unusual experience on the BA1309- (ABZ - LHR). We were parked and the crew were doing the safety briefing - IFM (i think) was at front - as they reached bit with the belt, passengers in row 1 got very excited at sight of a possible VIP and get his attention - he pauses and looks out window.
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
Aug 27, 23, 10:54 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 248
Just had an unusual experience on the BA1309- (ABZ - LHR). We were parked and the crew were doing the safety briefing - IFM (i think) was at front - as they reached bit with the belt, passengers in row 1 got very excited at sight of a possible VIP and get his attention - he pauses and looks out window.
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
Does it matter if anyone else comes to a different conclusion?
Aug 27, 23, 10:57 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 556
I think it is a safety concern - if you're easily distracted doing the one visible thing to tell passengers what to do, then do I feel comfortable that you're competent with my safety in a real incident.
Aug 27, 23, 10:57 am
#6
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,969
Just had an unusual experience on the BA1309- (ABZ - LHR). We were parked and the crew were doing the safety briefing - IFM (i think) was at front - as they reached bit with the belt, passengers in row 1 got very excited at sight of a possible VIP and get his attention - he pauses and looks out window.
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
About a minute later more disruption from passengers at sight of the Prince of Wales (and full family) boarding a loganair flight.
At this point, despite briefing going on still, he abandoned it to lean into row1 and look out of the window and I think he spoke to passengers as the Royals walked past, while briefing continued. Afterwards he chatted about the sighting.
Given we're always being asked to give safety briefing our full attention, even if we've heard it many times before, I was a bit surprised to see the person delivering it quite literally give up, twice, to look out the window at famous people.
I assume its not normal behaviour, but is it worth raising with BA as a safety concern in that the proper briefing wasnt delivered by crew?
Aug 27, 23, 11:06 am
#7
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 248
It isn't an issue for me.
All things have to be viewed in perspective. As I said, you were there, so it's your call. For me, it wouldn't be an issue because I would probably be hanging out the window trying to get a pic.
It is very unlikely the POW & his family will be in view when your plane needs help.
Aug 27, 23, 11:17 am
#8
Join Date: Oct 2021
Location: London (ne Melbourne)
Programs: Qantas Platinum (Oneworld Emerald)
Posts: 808
If it was interrupted and something was missed or skipped, that does not sound right and it probably should have been done again.
I always make sure to give them my attention, even though I've seen it a thousand times over. More out of respect for the cabin crew, it must be disappointing for them to see so many people ignore it.
I can also recall a flight some years ago where 2 older gentlemen in row 1 were chastised by a crewmember for talking over the briefing, just before the seatbelt fastening demo (arguably the most skippable part). I think he said something like "I need you to pay attention - we can't take off unless everyone's seen it". One of them snapped back, "ok, but you know I could probably do this demo for you, blindfolded".
I always make sure to give them my attention, even though I've seen it a thousand times over. More out of respect for the cabin crew, it must be disappointing for them to see so many people ignore it.
I can also recall a flight some years ago where 2 older gentlemen in row 1 were chastised by a crewmember for talking over the briefing, just before the seatbelt fastening demo (arguably the most skippable part). I think he said something like "I need you to pay attention - we can't take off unless everyone's seen it". One of them snapped back, "ok, but you know I could probably do this demo for you, blindfolded".
Aug 27, 23, 12:40 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: GLA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 2,894
Aug 27, 23, 12:49 pm
#10
formerly Sleepy_Sentry
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 599
If the FA does something egregious, sure report it. But sending a message about this to BA is just low-level snitching.
No one likes a snitch.
Aug 27, 23, 1:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2016
Programs: AA Lifetime Platinum, BA Silver, Marriott Gold
Posts: 87
Hey, the flight attendants are supposed to be there for our safety, not to gawp at an unelected septuagenarian billionaire who got the job of Head of State because his mum had it. Perhaps some retraining would be in order.
Aug 27, 23, 1:17 pm
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: BA Exec Club
Posts: 556
Aug 27, 23, 1:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,053
Meanwhile the idea this would be something worthy of reporting on safety grounds is bonkers. I really do wonder what gets into people's heads some days. I mean do it by all means, but you're going to get laughed at by everyone involved.
Aug 27, 23, 1:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,053
The psychology of this - like almost everything about how passengers behave as they do - is really about control - people have lost control of their environment and want to reassert some level of it. They resent deviation from process by someone in authority who is de facto more in control than they are, and a way of regaining personal agency is to feel themselves as a part of the policing of the process.
Last edited by bisonrav; Aug 28, 23 at 2:57 am
