Why do CO FAs play musical chairs for takeoff/landing?
Apr 18, 2007, 11:36 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California
Programs: United MileagePlus Premier 1K, Delta SkyMiles Diamond Medallion
Posts: 1,150
Why do CO FAs play musical chairs for takeoff/landing?
I'm a PLT but a relative newbie to Continental...I'm so used to AA and UA, where the F/As who work in F, typically sit on the jumpseat and remain up front, while the coach F/As sit in the jumpseats in the back.
Why do CO F/A's change positions so much and sit in the jumpseats where they aren't working for takeoff and landing? This doesn't make any sense to me--you don't get to see goodbye to the First F/A's and thank them for great service.
Can any one pls explain?
Why do CO F/A's change positions so much and sit in the jumpseats where they aren't working for takeoff and landing? This doesn't make any sense to me--you don't get to see goodbye to the First F/A's and thank them for great service.
Can any one pls explain?
Apr 19, 2007, 6:11 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
I believe the head FA is upfront at the start of the flight - takes orders, etc. - then the head FA moves to the back and a regular FA does the FC service.
Apr 19, 2007, 7:51 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 661
I'm a PLT but a relative newbie to Continental...I'm so used to AA and UA, where the F/As who work in F, typically sit on the jumpseat and remain up front, while the coach F/As sit in the jumpseats in the back.
Why do CO F/A's change positions so much and sit in the jumpseats where they aren't working for takeoff and landing? This doesn't make any sense to me--you don't get to see goodbye to the First F/A's and thank them for great service.
Can any one pls explain?
Why do CO F/A's change positions so much and sit in the jumpseats where they aren't working for takeoff and landing? This doesn't make any sense to me--you don't get to see goodbye to the First F/A's and thank them for great service.
Can any one pls explain?
Last edited by mywifeisincoach; Apr 19, 2007 at 7:52 am Reason: deleted "a="
Apr 19, 2007, 9:25 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Programs: UA MP
Posts: 193
The first class FA is seated at the rear of the plane, while the head FA who services the back is seated at the front of the plane for takeoff/landing.
My theory is that CO wants these FAs to pass through the entire length of the plane prior to takeoff/landing to make sure PAX are properly seated/secured.
My theory is that CO wants these FAs to pass through the entire length of the plane prior to takeoff/landing to make sure PAX are properly seated/secured.
Apr 19, 2007, 9:43 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: CO - Plat, NW - Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver, Starwood Plat.
Posts: 355
I would have to agree. It gives the cabin the presence of crew members and forces them to check the pax seatbelts, stowed bags, seat backs etc for takeoff and landing.
Apr 19, 2007, 11:16 am
#6
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Houston, TX
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Posts: 1,621
It also represents the FA's as equals.
Apr 19, 2007, 2:11 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 166
We actually sit in those designated jumpseats because each F/A has an area of responsibility in case of an emergency evacuation.
Apr 19, 2007, 5:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,034
The lead FA always sits at door 1A. It gives a good view of the whole AC and that's where the video equipment usually is. The lead is also the communication link for the cabin crew to the captain during irreg ops so proximity to the pit might be a factor.
One consideration when positioning the remaining crew, especially on larger planes, is traffic flow in the event of an evac. They've figured out which doors PAX are more likely to go to, size of exit, type of exit (overwing versus 2 lane slide) and the amount of PAX in proximity to each exit.
To be honest, that's a very common question in training and I can't remember what the answer was.
One consideration when positioning the remaining crew, especially on larger planes, is traffic flow in the event of an evac. They've figured out which doors PAX are more likely to go to, size of exit, type of exit (overwing versus 2 lane slide) and the amount of PAX in proximity to each exit.
To be honest, that's a very common question in training and I can't remember what the answer was.
Apr 19, 2007, 5:37 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
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Posts: 4,389
If we were talking about DL, I would say that they are performing a weight re-balance. 