Prada, kudos for asking such a question. Since you did ask, two things spring to mind:

[rant]

1) Incessant announcements on redeyes. I'm tired, I want to fall asleep, and I couldn't care less where the cabin crew's based, nor what their names are, nor the local time at destination, nor whether or what the wretched movie will be, nor what a wonderful opportunity to earn practically worthless OP miles this is.

I understand that certain announcements have to be made, but please keep it to an absolute minimum....and not at maximum volume, either. I can still hear it distinctly through earplugs.

In a similar vein, I wish there were a way to mute the idiot pilot who insists on giving us the flight crew's names, their personal histories, our cruising altitude, and which fascinating landmarks we will overfly in the dark. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/rolleyes.gif

Ditch the useless blather; just let us sleep. And, yes, I understand there's more than a touch of sadism involved.

2. If at all possible, give Y pax a chance to go to the lavatories before beginning cart service. Before anyone helpfully suggests going before boarding, spare me. Delayed inbound flights, extremely short connections, and the need to stay hydrated to avoid illness often conspire to make such stops impossible.

[/rant]

Thanks for the feedback opportunity!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Pain doesn't always equal physical risk, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant.

I manage by avoiding CRJs like the plague and requesting bulkheads or aisles on mainline. On ERJs I always try for an A seat, where I can pop the armrest and stretch out into the aisleway.

Regarding pre-departure, I've heard comments from the non-elite FA's that they aren't on the clock till the door shuts; so we should be happy they let us board. But most of the time I do get Pre-departures, but more often on NW, than on CO lately. I understand the reason when the ship is catered late etc, or it's a quick turn. But when the FA's are busy standing there, doing nothing, except poorly reading the boarding announcements, no children this row etc, its annoying.

I also echo the video system comment. I have "saved the day" many times on transcon flights when Shaniqua can't figure out how to run the video system. I've thought of posting instructions for all elite's to see in case you get stuck with screens down and no video. Or an airshow showing you are still over IAH with 2:35 to go, when you are landing in PHX.

I encourage all flyers to call We could care sometimes, and report the bad, AND THE GOOD FA's. I always make a note in my PDA with the names, and how well they perform. Sometimes, We care 2 people are suprised I'm taking the time to call and say everything was fine, including _____.

Not sure if it's helping, but I figure it's better than just complaining.

Go for it! I myself would like to know...do they apply to ALL video systems on all planes or just certain ones. I have had many instances where the video system didn't work; so if you could tell us what you know that would be great!

Also, I would say the FA's/crew have to know how to turn on and operate the EMPOWER ports on the 777s/767s; especially BEFORE takeoff. Half of the flights I have been on the green lights were off and they couldn't turn them on. If someone from maintenance knows how to fix them before takeoff that would be appreciated.

- HF

Since you fly out of EWR, if you were on the MCO run (two flights a week for me) for any length of time in the FC cabin over the past one and a half years, I would like to say "Thank you" for the great service. I know your service was great because the service has been great each and every time, with only ONE exception during this entire time (and based on the law of averages, I am presuming that that was not you)....THANK YOU.

PradaFA,

Thank you for your kind words! If and when you are in PHX, you can drop me a line via e-mail, maybe I can give you useful tips on nice places to hang out in the evening! And once again, thanks for wonderful service you guys provide on board at CO!

It is nice to hear an FA ask!

I flew CO two weekends ago and had three complaints. My wife and I were seated in FC, waited about 10 minutes before our coats were hung ( I had to get up and give it to the FA who wasn't too thrilled I had done that) and 15+ minutes before we were offered a beverage. Meanwhile during boarding and flight three FAs chatted it up in the front galley paying less attention to passengers than they should.

Now the perfect flight...

I board and as I am struggling with my bag the FA takes my coat, holding back coach passengers nipping at my heals. At the first break in people boarding I receive a beverage. The FA checks on me several times during flight and does not congregate with fellow FAs moaning about one thing or another. FC is mostly quiet, so when you get a group of FAs in the front it makes a bad impression.

My return flights on NW last weekend were more like the latter, but these problems do occur on NW also.

Thanks again for asking!

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Randy
-------------------------
HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

Another wish-list item:
police the first class lavatory! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Even after the announcement not to do so is made several times, coach passengers frequently sneak into the first class cabin and camp out in the bathroom. But I've yet to see a flight attendant come out and swoosh the coach passengers back into their cabin. (This is true for all carriers I've been on, not just CO.)

Try Alaska Air...AS actually invites coach pax to use FC lavatories. There is thread on that interesting issue in AS forum.
Regardless of that, AS got my highest Freddie votes along with NW for this year!

Perhaps because the FAs have the aft corridor blocked?

I generally agree with you, but sometimes it's necessary.

AA is very strict about warning coach passengers to keep out of FC...they will be removed immediately if they "cross the curtain". On my last AA flight, they repeated this announcement three times and made the warnings very clear.

On BF flights where the BF lav is larger with more amentities than coach, it is a standard of service to require coach passengers to remain in coach. This should always be enforced.

On domestic flights, this is more of a "keep out of our turf" issue. The CO announcement that ends with "...we trust you will respect this arrangement" is very weak. I am not suggesting it should be a felony warning like AA, but it should be stronger...and enforced. A few years ago on a DL flight, after they "ran out of dessert" for FC, we later caught a FA invite a "cute" coach passenger forward and found them both eating the "missing" cheesecake together in the galley. Needless to say, that did NOT go over well...so enforcement seems to also be based on the attitude of the FA.

If the company policy is to keep coach passengers out of the FC cabin (and the obvious reason would be to ensure that FC passengers have easy access to their lav without having to wait for extra coach passengers to finish using it), then that should be enforced, and if a FA finds a coach passenger forward, they should ask them (nicely) to return to the main cabin. Having said that, and owing to CO's world famous inconsistency, I have observed this happen:
80% - FA ignores coach pax in FC
15% - FA requests coach pax return to coach
5% - FA requests coach pax return to coach, and coach pax throws a fit and argues...which is sometimes better than the IFE when you hear comments like "this isn't the **** Titanic!" (heard from an unhappy coach pax who was being dispatched back to the main cabin) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

In the unfortunate situation that I do not get upgraded to FC, I am usually in the bulkhead seat...

first of all, please help me place my luggage in the overhead. my carry-on looks small, but this is one time in which this tough, streewise new yorker would really appreciate someone taller than me load my bag so i don't crush my hand squeezing my roller bag into the cramped space.

secondly, i'm in the bulkhead for a reason. not only seating comfort, but my rule of "last on, first off". so please do not just tell me to look for overhead space back in row 26 when some other pax has placed his bag in my overhead. and it's not my responsibility to confront and move their bags.

third, the preflight drinks are great, but i've also had some FAs not remove drinks for takeoff until the very last minute. this may be disputed, but I think they should be removed when we push back because I've had some close calls when my seat partner's drinks nearly tipped over when we taxied.

finally, minor meal issues: i'm sick of being served the same special meal when i fly out of EWR. we biz flyers who leave from the same hub consistently are eating the same meals all the time (especially hard when the meal sucks, i.e. nutty tamale for the strict veg meal...yuk!); my continued request for herbal tea, which one brilliant FA solved by pocketing Celestial Seasonings tea bags from some uneaten veg meals; also, special meal requests in FC, esp when the FC has been processed way in advance by EUA.

thanks for listening! being out of EWR myself, perhaps you can post your schedules we can say thanks in person.

On the FC lav thing...think about it. Some poor guy / gal has paid $2000 coach fare. He's in a 31" coach seat (heaven forbid in the middle). He gets nothing to eat (peanuts don't count). He has to use the bathroom and there's a huge line. Give him a break. Let him use the lav in FC.

I don't work for an airline, but these reminded me of something I see twice a month. On our paychecks/paystubs, right beside the amount is the phrase "Brought to you by our customers."

Like most here, I have had little to no problems with CO FAs (there's a bad seed everywhere.) But I think we all need to remember this phrase... no matter what we do.



------------------
Bob

Sorry but can't help you with the carry-on issue. I'm 5'8",125lbs & cannot afford to hurt myself, lifting someone elses heavy bag. Plus it is a big "no -no" with the company. I guess they were getting too many OJIs filed. My suggestion is you ask a nice, strong, gentleman close by to help you lift it into the overhead.

Unfortunately overhead space isn't always available above your seat. So I technically cannot make anyone move their carry-ons. Its all about common courtesy & some pax lack that.

Its hard enough trying to get the pre-departs away from people after pushback. I don't think they'd appreciate giving them up any sooner. My suggestion, ask your seatmate to hold the drink

Prada FA: Thanks for asking.

I've flown tons of flights with CO and other airlines, and I find your crews to be overall the finest I've flown with. I switched away from another primary carrier in part because their FA's were consistently rude. Congratulations on continuing to do a great job in what must be very difficult working conditions.

About the one gripe I have, and it is minor, is that I've flown a lot of 4 hour + flights in first where beverage service was offered pre-flight, with the meal, and that's all, folks. So my suggestion would be to come around every so often after meal service and offer beverages.

That reminds me, it's probably been about 2 years since I've been on a CO flight where (in FC) the FA's came around to check on drinks after the meal service and for the duration of the flight.

I'm not one to ring the FA call button, and sometimes if the guy next to me is fast asleep, I don't exactly feel comfortable getting up and going to the galley and asking for something. It would be a really great thing if the FAs would just occasionally come by for the rest of the flight and offer even just water. I'm not asking to be waited on hand and foot for the entire 5 hour flight.

It's a pretty small gesture that goes a long way (and keeps us dehydrated pax happy and healthy http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

Is there any way to shorten the safety video on the 737-800/900's? Cut out Gordo's fluff in the begining along with all the stuff on adjustable, winged headrests. Focus on the safety and get it over in 45 sec instead of 4 minutes. I've noticed that when the FA's give the manual safety demo that it lasts all of 1 minute!

All of the comments on this topic have been quite informative and very reasonable. However I felt compelled to reply to "PJ". If you cannot handle your own baggage I suggest that you check it, and only pack what you can manage under your seat. And finally why can't you bring your own herbal tea.It is sold at all major supermarkets and it travels quite well. I know I bring my own. The way the industry is today it is hard enough to get you a can of diet coke.

With all respect, what happens if the plane has an emergency and you have to remove the emergency exit door or help an injured or frail passenger?

Wow! I see FAs on WN helping pax all the time...wonder if all airlines have this "policy".

------------------
Randy
-------------------------
HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

I am fully capable of, opening an emergency exit (door/window), and evacuating an aircraft. I'm requalified every year. I can also lift my heavy rollerboard, that I pack into the overhead. But I am not obligated to lift anyone elses. What if I get hurt lifting PJ's bag in the overhead? Will he/she pay for my disability out of there pocket, because CO will not compensate me.

I have no idea what other airlines policy is on this issue. But CO firmly states to NOT lift any carry-on baggage. If the pax isn't able to get it in the overhead, we'll gladly check it.

I think PradaFA is trying to tell us politely that her job *shouldn't* have to be about carryons. Unreliable checked baggage transport, non-enforcement of carry on policy by gate agents, and passenger abuses have made this a thorny and much discussed issue.

And a little off topic, 5'8" 125 lb people can be taught to safely lift items approaching their bodyweight. It's more about technique than strength.

PradaFA -- thanks for the question. My experience with CO FAs has been (almost) uniformly excellent. Just a couple ideas:

After-meal drink service: in F, I go to the galley to get more to drink on a regular basis. The hydration situation in Y is even worse. I don't need a fancy drink of any sort, just water (and preferrably not tap water. It would be great if you could come through the cabin with one of those trays of water in plastic cups on a semiregular basis (half-hour to an hour) when there's no beverage service.

Some etiquette enforcement in F. For example, when the person next to me sets things down on me, or goes barefoot, or sticks their feet on the bulkhead, I don't like to complain to the FA, especially since I'm generally too busy/lazy to switch my EUA window to an aisle until its too late. In Y, I don't expect people to know better.

I realize I'm totally capable of lifting a heavy item - if taught the proper technique. All I'm saying is, I will not lift someone elses heavy bag, because I will not risk hurting myself. Especially since I will not be compensated for my injury.

My job is about carry-ons. I will rearrange items, so the space is used more efficiently, help you find overhead space (not neccesarily directly above your seat), or help you check the item.

Thanks for the honest response. I'm probably going to upset you and/or others with my response (which is not my style), but I think it should be said...sorry in advance.

Not knowing the workers compensation and or union bylaws for your particular situation, I am almost positive CO would be liable even though they tell you not to handle passengers bags. However, my question then becomes...who is liable if the "strong able bodied young man" who inevitably helps with the bag hurts himself? Is it CO (nope, not an employee), the passenger (nope, no fiduciary or agency relationship), guess he is out of luck.

Don't take this the wrong way, but if you won't help the passenger for fear of getting hurt and not having any recourse, why should any other passenger help? You are not obligated, but I think the fact that you are an FA is more compeling of why you should help. I understand your hesitation given CO's policy. CO policy is not passenger friendly, but I think we already knew that about CO.

You initially asked what you could do to make flying CO a more pleasant experience. A poster took the time to tell you that she would like help with her bag instead of leaving it to another passenger. I think that CO should cover the liability so that you may make flying CO a better experience.




------------------
Randy
-------------------------
HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

I suppose their medical insurance would cover such a situation, if they have it. It sort of comes under the heading "each person is responsible for their own actions." Every time something bad happens doesn't necesasrily mean that someone else is at fault.

They shouldn't, unless they want to voluntarily assume the risk. Nobody has a responsibility for a passenger's carry-ons other than the passenger themselves. If the passenger is unable to properly stow it, they should plan to check the item or pack lighter.

You act like CO is being particuarly unfriendly about this policy. Can you point to another US carrier that has a different policy? I do think that the FA's should be polite in how they deliver the message, and not just snap back a comment like "we don't do that." If they politely offer to check the heavy item, then I think that the FA has done their job.

As a passenger, I once had the experiene of helping another passenger pull a suitcase off the luggage carousel at baggage claim. In the process, the handle broke off in my hand. The owner of the bag expected me to pay full replacement value for what was obviously a well-traveled suitcase! As I had in my opinion practiced ordinary care in the situation, I didn't think I had any responsibility. Along with worker's comp issues, this is another reason that the airline probably doesn't want FAs handling baggage. My experience reinforced the all-to-common notion that whenever something goes wrong, it must be someone else's fault and compensation is due in some people's minds.

I can't help wonder what type of impression this made on others? It sounds like a very hostile announcement. So, what happens if the aisle is blocked and someone is just short of using their empty cup? Will AA be flexible and let them use the lav? If someone is prevented from using the toliet, would they sue the airline?

What amentities are in BF lavs and excluded from coach lavs? Last I checked, there are sinks, toliets, soap, mirrors, toliet paper, tissue paper, trash bins and lights in all lavs. On B777 BF lavs there are two with more room, but the same standard items. All the 767/757 lavs are of similar size to YC; actually on the 767 there is a larger lav in YC (located in the center of the plane).

Our directive has been to inform, not enforce...we are not the air-police. If you think this should be changed, write CO.


[This message has been edited by OpenOncePourTwice (edited 01-30-2003).]