Just for info as this is the first time I noticed this apparently odd activity in the galley.

On a recent flight in J class DXB-CMN, one of the crew in a black uniform (and unlike the common beige color) was clicking away pictures of the food and drink trays while the meals were being prepared. Subsequently this crew member was filling out forms with observations on various topics. This was the first time I noticed such an activity in my two years of heavy travel with EK so I inquired curiously about this on-board inspection.

Turns out that this crew member was one the few in-flight EK "Auditors". There are apparently "very few" of them, only "about 7" in total for the full network. Between them they cover the global operatioms. Also there are "another 7" auditors for "ground operations."

Interesting and nice to know that EK has in-flight quality checks with in-house auditors. Not surprising of course and upon reflection I should expect that every good organization has a quality control system in place.

I wonder if any one else has come across this previously on EK flights or on the ground and how this compares with other airlines? I haven't seen auditors at work on any other airlines. May be they have just been doing their job as discreetly as they should be

At EY they call them "checkers". Their presence is announced to the crew ahead of time, and everybody is very nervous when they are on board. I always closely follow crew orders ("phone off", "please buckle up") when I know that checkers are present since it falls back negatively on the crew if there is non-compliance.

The only thing EY crews hate even more than the supervision by checkers is when "friends of Hogan" are on board ...

Black uniform would be the Purser- sure it wasn't her?

how many in each class?

If there are only 7 in the whole fleet, they probably only spared one.

I've had one on a recent DXB-GLA flight.. Wasn't a uniform though but just a guy in a suit who shadowed from a distance, took notes etc. Never been so well looked after!! There was no less than 3 hot towel runs and drink trays down the aisles every half hour in economy.
If this is how it should be there should perhaps be a few more auditors..

surely the4se shoudl be anonlmous (to both passengers and crew) so that they see the reality and not special treatment - extra hot towels etc. Lots of shops use mystery shoppers to evaluate customer service (and I am happy to volunteer evaluating first class ;-) )

From what I could see there was only one of the "Auditor" on the entire flight. Kept going in and out of F and J.

The Auditor in black was different from the Purser who was also around.

Interesting thought and one that I admit also struck me. Upon reflection I wonder though if the auditors could do their job effectively if only working anonymously as mystery "checkers"... while they could well observe what the crew were delivering as service, they probably wouldn't be able to check if the crew were following all the processes in a systematic way, which is equally important. Still I agree with HelloKittysMum -- some of us wouldn't mind undertaking a hardship trip on F as mystery auditor/checkers! Promise I will uphold nothing but the highest standards ^

How do they determine who a 'friend of Hogan' is? Just word of mouth?