Elena

A couple days ago I flew HNL-MSP in F. The FA walks down the aisle checking seatbelts and stopped to ask if I was wearing mine. I said yes and then she lifted my blanket and revealed that I wasn't. I put it on right away. Then she said she remembered me from the same flight a while back when I had also not worn my seatbelt and said she was going to make a note of this in my file and scolded me like a child saying she did not want any problems on this flight. At no point was I argumentative or failed to comply- I put on the seatbelt right away when she noticed.

I belive that she did remember me as I remembered her from another flight where she would not let passengers stand in line outside the lavatory and made everyone line up in the seating area before the galley since "the pilot has to be able to see all passengers clearly at all times and the area right outside the lavatory is not such an area".

I'm wondering- is there such a thing as a passenger file onboard and if so, what happens with the comments in it? Next time I fly NW will there be a comment saying to "check that pax is wearing seatbelt"? If there was an accident and a pax gets hurt as a result of failing to wear a seatbelt are the FAs responsible? I figure they wouldn't be liable as long as they have informed the passengers.

In general I have found the F cabin on the MSP-HNL flights (and many other flights) to be staffed by plus-sized, loud, and generally either unpleasant or overly jolly and corny over-the-hill FAs. They could learn something from their Asian counterparts.

Savage25

You must not be a very good liar

chicaloca453

I'm a little perplexed as to why you're upset at all. Company policy is to wear your seat belt at all times. You can loosen it but don't take it off. It's for your own good. And the FA is doing her REQUIRED job to enforce it.

If you remember the FA and know she runs a tight ship, why not comply. There are a few things that could be the cause:

1. FA was spot checked and written up for not enforcing the rules.
2. FA is tired of people taking what she says with a grain of salt.
3. FA is simply doing her job the way she was taught.

Honestly, your definition of the typical FA in F to HNL is really telling. For some reason, you seem to think that you're somehow superior to these FA's. You have obviously taken the time to judge them and make assumptions.

As far as I know, there's nothing called a passenger file so to speak. This isn't high school and there are no permanant records. But perhaps she's trying to teach you a lesson in the ways of the world. Respect is essential, and it's obvious you don't respect these FA's so why should they respect you?

If you like the Asian service so much, fly all the way to NRT to get to HNL. But don't give a woman a rough time for trying to do her job. She's doing it with pay cuts and the threats that her company won't be around next year. She works hard, and passengers like yourself don't make their jobs any easier.

nwacked

Two words: missing flatware.

nwanrev

Actually, you did fail to comply. You should listen to the speech at the beginning of each flight "US Federal regulations require compliance with all crew instructions, lighted information signs and posted placards..." You ignored the seatbelt sign, then blatantly lied about it. It's not a punishment, it's for your safety and the safety of those around you.

stpaulone

The FA was pulling your leg. There is no such file (at least that they would have access to). Do you see FAs carrying around a computer? Ever see a FA at the gate doing anything on a computer? The closest thing they have to a computer on board is a sheet of paper called the SPIL. Don't be worried about it at all.

With that said it's best to follow crew instructions for your own safety. Things can happen very quickly.

slippahs

Could you imagine if there were? Such a system would have a great possibility of being severely abused, IMHO.

Elena

I did in fact fly NRT-HNL and connected to HNL-MSP. While I may have views on some of NWs FAs based on personal experiences I have not expressed those views to any FA or been rude or argumentative in any way. I have not given anyone a rough time and when I was caught in a lie I complied right away. I felt that this particular FA seemed to be somewhat of a power tripper- similar to the way that certain prison guards may enjoy exercising their power over inmates. I will generally behave the way I am approached- if an FA acts sweet and friendly towards me then that is how I will act towards them. Since I put on the seatbelt the second she noticed there was really no need for her to say anything.

So I understand that there is no such thing as a passenger file which basically means the FA lied about that. I guess you could say "a lie for a lie" in this case but then again two wrongs don't make a right...

xliioper

No. No. It's all true. Just like the other day when I was flying, and after we landed the FA advised us that they had a seat-belt light panel and said she could see who had taken off their seat-belts before we got to the gate.

macoz

Very true. It's not just about not bonking your own head, but also about not landing on other folks.

I always have it on when in the seat, I just leave it totally expanded.

It gives freedom of movement, but keeps you tied down in case of a sudden drop.

NWAFA

Well, we older Flight Attendants have a tendency to "spread out" with age. Get louder because we're kind of losing our hearing from flying. They're unpleasant because their feet hurt. Bunions and corns. And those who are overly jolly and corny, their meds just kicked in or are bi-polar. Over-the-hill, the U.S. is great. We don't discriminate against age. The Asian Flight Attendants are forced to retire at a much younger age so they don't get the chance to get sore feet, get grumpy or old.

BINGO! NW has been adding Ghost Riders again due to passenger complaints in flight. We have a 3 strikes and you're on a "Decision making leave".

You really don't feel that way, do you? I've seen prison guards in movies and I've yet to see a Flight Attendant knock anyone over the head with a stick.


Right on the money!

spartacus

Elena, would you rather have the alternative, the FBI waiting at your arrival gate to escort you to an interview room investigating why you disrupted the flight by failing to follow the directions of crew members?

I usually sit in an exit row. I wear noise-cancelling headphones. On a recent CRJ OMA-DTW FA told me I needed to remove the headphones during takeoff and landing. First time I had ever been asked to do that. She indicated that in the event she needed to give me instructions she didn't want to have to yell at the top of her lungs. I could have told her that I can hear her just fine and told her than in the event of an emergency I would have them off long before she even stood up from the jumpseat. But I simply took them off and when she came by as we were dropping down to 10K she tapped me on the shoulder and I again removed them. You have to know when to fight your battles. It wasn't worth a discussion. It's her flight and she is queen bee, federal law backs her up. And should I ever go back to work for the military I wouldn't want to have difficulty getting my security clearance back because I hassled a crew member on commercial aviation.

And what does her physical stature have to do with this? That was a cheap shot. As most of us age we tend to put on a few pounds as the metabolism slows. Who knows, she could have a thyroid condition? If she's working F she's been around for awhile. Should she be forced from her career for weight gain?

FWIW, I have the greatest picture in my mind of her lifting that blanket and you being busted. Who knows, maybe you're hot and she likes girls and just wanted an excuse to check you out?

trooper

Seatbelts and airlines aside.. I'm just amazed that anyone can say, with a straight face - "when I was caught in a lie I complied right away"..

....and then suggest that after lying, amd being found to be doing so.. they expect "business as usual"... and that any subsequent criticism is "power tripping"...

"Since I put on the seatbelt the moment she noticed"?

Great approach..

"Well Officer, I slowed down to the speed limit as soon as I saw you"

BebackNaminute

Maybe no file but they can have any agent put a note in your PNR for them. Also they can write up an inflight incident report and any FAR violation has to be reported to the FAA.

dmitzel

Certainly not condoning the OP's failure to show the courtesy of compliance - in the interest of safety for those around her, if not herself, but OT I am glad to see this note about NWA corporate "ghost riders." Hopefully in-cabin service levels (both FC and Y) will improve and consistency will become commonplace throughout the system, rather than the rare exception.

LOL!!! ^