FA stay seated whole flight
Apr 10, 2019, 5:00 am
#46
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Too often, it's whether the FAs are feeling it or not. A little while ago my wife and I did a SEA-YVR return in AS F. On the way up there were 5 or 6 of us up front; the FA claimed short flight duration made service impossible, and relaxed and read a gossip magazine in her jumpseat. On the way back: full F cabin but different FA, PDBs for all including coffee, then cocktails in the air. Fine weather both directions.
Once the forward door is closed management can't make them do anything.
Once the forward door is closed management can't make them do anything.
Last edited by ATOBTTR; Apr 10, 2019 at 5:05 am
Apr 10, 2019, 5:57 am
#48
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It's partly due to the withdrawal of trayed meal service in Y on all US domestic flights, short or long. It's partly because in the US, cabin staff have so much flexibility to execute against or ignore service standards as they see fit.
Even on a 4-to-6-hour flight in the US, it is not unusual to have the cabin quiet and service-free for the first 90 minutes or so. If you're sitting near a galley you may not hear staff dishing up ice and getting the cart prepped until you've been aloft an hour or more. In that time, as you point out, other airlines in other regions serve a whole meal plus beverage service, even on widebodies.
Apr 10, 2019, 6:42 am
#49
Join Date: Dec 2012
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Comparing any US carrier service to European, Asian, etc carriers service is different. Most of those airlines can accomplish full service with meals on short flights because they staff above minimum crew. We only staff at minimum crew. Completing those full service flights with more than the required crew is easy. The bottom line comes before staffing to levels where we could do the same. I don’t agree that using turbulence as an excuse is acceptable.
Apr 10, 2019, 8:15 am
#50
Join Date: Mar 2015
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For the most part yes. Several other posters in this thread have made your point, e.g. there is more hustle and efficiency on the part of the cabin staff aboard short flights in Asia and Europe.
It's partly due to the withdrawal of trayed meal service in Y on all US domestic flights, short or long. It's partly because in the US, cabin staff have so much flexibility to execute against or ignore service standards as they see fit.
Even on a 4-to-6-hour flight in the US, it is not unusual to have the cabin quiet and service-free for the first 90 minutes or so. If you're sitting near a galley you may not hear staff dishing up ice and getting the cart prepped until you've been aloft an hour or more. In that time, as you point out, other airlines in other regions serve a whole meal plus beverage service, even on widebodies.
It's partly due to the withdrawal of trayed meal service in Y on all US domestic flights, short or long. It's partly because in the US, cabin staff have so much flexibility to execute against or ignore service standards as they see fit.
Even on a 4-to-6-hour flight in the US, it is not unusual to have the cabin quiet and service-free for the first 90 minutes or so. If you're sitting near a galley you may not hear staff dishing up ice and getting the cart prepped until you've been aloft an hour or more. In that time, as you point out, other airlines in other regions serve a whole meal plus beverage service, even on widebodies.
- It's partly due to the withdrawal of trayed meal service in Y on all US domestic flights, short or long.
- It's partly because in the US, cabin staff have so much flexibility to execute against or ignore service standards as they see fit.
- It's totally because in US, cabin staff is there primarily for our safety
- It's totally because in US, (as another poster mentioned) cabin staff can go on a power trip without any fear of repercussions once the door is closed
Apr 10, 2019, 8:25 am
#51
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5. It is partly bacause on USA carriers, there's generally not an inflight service supervisor/manager position (except on longhaul flights where there's a purser), just a "lead" (usually most senior FA) position. A supervisor/manager could tell FAs to do their jobs, but the "lead" supposedly doesn't have such authority.
Apr 10, 2019, 12:57 pm
#52
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Flight # 1360 PHL to ATL. Haven’t even left the gate yet and the pilots already made an announcement that because of turbulence the FAs will remain seated. Something is up!
In flight update. FAs getting a free ride to ATL. Pilots just make an additional announcement that they will stay seated.
Just a reference flew MIA to PHL on AA 2333 last night. Actual storms in FL and no announcement was made to have FAs seated during the flight.
In flight update. FAs getting a free ride to ATL. Pilots just make an additional announcement that they will stay seated.
Just a reference flew MIA to PHL on AA 2333 last night. Actual storms in FL and no announcement was made to have FAs seated during the flight.
Last edited by SSF556; Apr 10, 2019 at 1:29 pm
Apr 10, 2019, 2:19 pm
#53
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 153
My husband and I were just talking about this. On our last few flights - MSP-MCO, and MSP-LAS; the captain mentioned turbulence and the flight attendants will stay seated. They did for virtually the entire flight. There was zero turbulence. Much smoother than most flights. We were thinking this was an anomaly, but now we are thinking Delta has been sued by their flight attendants due to injuries received during turbulence and now a directive has gone out to the flight crew to err extremely on the side of caution. While the fasten seat belts signs stayed on, after a while the passengers did have to give up and get up to go to the bathroom.
Went from Tokyo-Hiroshima on JAL - had the worst turbulence ever experienced and the flight attendants served drinks and snacks no problem. Fasten seat belt sign did not even come on. We are too cautious and afraid of lawsuits in the US!
Went from Tokyo-Hiroshima on JAL - had the worst turbulence ever experienced and the flight attendants served drinks and snacks no problem. Fasten seat belt sign did not even come on. We are too cautious and afraid of lawsuits in the US!
Apr 10, 2019, 2:26 pm
#54
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Flight # 1360 PHL to ATL. Haven’t even left the gate yet and the pilots already made an announcement that because of turbulence the FAs will remain seated. Something is up!
In flight update. FAs getting a free ride to ATL. Pilots just make an additional announcement that they will stay seated.
Just a reference flew MIA to PHL on AA 2333 last night. Actual storms in FL and no announcement was made to have FAs seated during the flight.
In flight update. FAs getting a free ride to ATL. Pilots just make an additional announcement that they will stay seated.
Just a reference flew MIA to PHL on AA 2333 last night. Actual storms in FL and no announcement was made to have FAs seated during the flight.
It sounds to me more like some sort of a labor action, the crew version of a slowdown or something.
Apr 10, 2019, 11:12 pm
#55
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I understand turbulence happens. However multiple times now on short SLC flights the crew stays seated the whole flight. They claim there's turbulence that severe. Only one problem! There is no turbulence, at all. It seems they just don't want to work. No service to the F cabin. Heck, they don't even get up to do a final cabin check! As a pilot I've gone online to look at PIREPs
, TAFs, SIGMETS and winds aloft. None indicate severe turbulence, in fact PIREPs normally indicate no turbulence .
Last night again flying out of SLC. Not one bump. Yet again, stay seated whole flight duration.
, TAFs, SIGMETS and winds aloft. None indicate severe turbulence, in fact PIREPs normally indicate no turbulence .
Last night again flying out of SLC. Not one bump. Yet again, stay seated whole flight duration.
on dsm > dtw the fa made the rounds in first 3 times while cruising They aren’t all lazy
Apr 11, 2019, 9:15 am
#56
Join Date: Jun 2006
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Flew ATL-DCA Monday PM - the pilot did mention in initial announcement that there was weather between the two cities and that we were deviating around it. Then during the flight FA announced that there would be an abbreviated service of just water. At some point during that a different FA came on and in a somewhat panicky voice said "Flight attendants please take your seats immediately." Mind you, I love some nice chop so I was getting pretty excited at this point. But the whole flight, there was literally no noticeable turbulence, so not sure what the fuss was about. I was in C+ and was really looking forward to a glass of white wine but alas...
FWIW, the crew was basically nice but the flight attendant by me (I was in 13F) seemed to be reading his Kindle during takeoff and landing. Not sure if that's acceptable but he was kind of cute so who cares... (ATL GAs were fun, sassy, friendly, and nice...)
FWIW, the crew was basically nice but the flight attendant by me (I was in 13F) seemed to be reading his Kindle during takeoff and landing. Not sure if that's acceptable but he was kind of cute so who cares... (ATL GAs were fun, sassy, friendly, and nice...)
Apr 11, 2019, 2:13 pm
#57
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Flew ATL-DCA Monday PM - the pilot did mention in initial announcement that there was weather between the two cities and that we were deviating around it. Then during the flight FA announced that there would be an abbreviated service of just water. At some point during that a different FA came on and in a somewhat panicky voice said "Flight attendants please take your seats immediately." Mind you, I love some nice chop so I was getting pretty excited at this point. But the whole flight, there was literally no noticeable turbulence, so not sure what the fuss was about. I was in C+ and was really looking forward to a glass of white wine but alas...
FWIW, the crew was basically nice but the flight attendant by me (I was in 13F) seemed to be reading his Kindle during takeoff and landing. Not sure if that's acceptable but he was kind of cute so who cares... (ATL GAs were fun, sassy, friendly, and nice...)
FWIW, the crew was basically nice but the flight attendant by me (I was in 13F) seemed to be reading his Kindle during takeoff and landing. Not sure if that's acceptable but he was kind of cute so who cares... (ATL GAs were fun, sassy, friendly, and nice...)
Apr 11, 2019, 2:24 pm
#58
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“Personal Pastimes” as Delta calls it are not allowed while on the plane and working.....these lazy FAs should realize doing their job would be a better use of their time and longevity than being reported to Delta. If they want their personal phone and tablet time it can’t happen while on the plane so please report this.
I'm glad to hear this. To me, it looks like just bad form when a customer service employee is more interested and preoccupied with playing with a personal device than serving customers. I've noticed a lot for front desk staff ignoring guests while using phones and iPads.
Of course the situation is very different during designated (staggered) break times on longer flights, when deadheading, when commuting for work (even if in uniform) etc., although I'm not sure how many passengers would recognize and appreciate the distinction in that if they see a FA in a jumpseat or in the galley, they assume that the employee is on duty.
Of course the situation is very different during designated (staggered) break times on longer flights, when deadheading, when commuting for work (even if in uniform) etc., although I'm not sure how many passengers would recognize and appreciate the distinction in that if they see a FA in a jumpseat or in the galley, they assume that the employee is on duty.
Apr 11, 2019, 7:20 pm
#60
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I have everyone else's experiences beat. I was on a SkyWest-operated Delta Connection early-morning flight at 6 o'clock-ish. The flight attendant not only stayed seated for the whole flight, but she slept for at least 20 of the 40 minutes. The cabin was mostly empty and nothing happened.
As soon as I landed and deplaned I saw a red jacket supervisor and reported the flight attendant.
As soon as I landed and deplaned I saw a red jacket supervisor and reported the flight attendant.