That's not what I wrote. Please return and re-read. In the event of an emergency it is foolish to wait expectantly for the FA, awake or asleep, to rescue you. You make your own plan. I'm more worried about passengers who either sleep through the safety demo themselves or freeze up passively when they must act to save themselves without awaiting permission.

But it may be the FA's 17th or 18th hour on duty. The serious issue that needs to be addressed is stupid, dangerous crew scheduling on the part of cheap regionals.

In my current job, if I fall asleep, I don't put anyone at risk. The sleeping FA can't say the same thing.

One would wonder, two days since the first post, no details (route ? operator ?) If this is a made up story.

Providing those details would not prove that the story is true; we all have a choice whether to believe each other's posts on here. It would, however, make it possible for UA to arrange for an underpaid and overworked UX employee to be identified and disciplined. I would imagine that if that had been the OP's intention, (s)he would have written directly to UA rather than posting on here.

Or perhaps not as dedicated to monitoring FT.

I applaud you for wanting to be prepared for any emergency, that is a good thing. However, I also caution you to listen for FA directions unless you see they're incapacitated. They are trained for emergency egress, they know when to do it, and they communicate with the cockpit. If we abort a takeoff, are you going to pop the window and get out once we come to a stop? I hope not, that's not your call and it may not be necessitated. So, be prepared, listen to the FA's directions, and always be prepared to take action if near an exit and you see an FA incompacitated for some reason.

Not true since they're limited to 16 hours max on duty, which isn't the norm even for regional carriers.

AD

As part of the activities at the June 2011 (and very first) Dubai Do, organized by FT member eightblack (thanks once more!), we had a half day exposure to many behind the scenes aspects of training and safety at Emirates Airways.

In one session the FA Training Manager for the company told us that whenever you observe an FA during take off, they often have a distant, day-dreamy look in their eyes while they appear to be staring over the heads of passengers. She explained that FA's are taught at this time before the flight, to visualize what might go wrong, know where pax who might need assistance are seated, imagine how everything might work in case of an emergency, etc.

It isn't a stretch for me to think that this same concept is taught to FA's at many -- if not all -- airlines. IME, any good, well-trained FA should be doing this.

It also isn't a stretch for me to know that a sleeping on-duty FA is not doing his/her job. Many here on FT know the drill and hopefully would help in any emergency situation, but for those of us who don't or can't, I want my FAs awake!

Something to remember on this day, the third anniversary of "The Miracle on the Hudson." Anyone remember what happened then?

Deadheading crews, depending on the union contract language, are assigned passenger seats, although they may give up their cabin seat to ride the jumpseat to accommodate standbys. FAs can also ride the jumpseat as a non-rev if no passenger seats are available. What is acceptable on the jumpseat would have to be drilled down in the individual airline's policy, such as a difference in what is considered "on duty" versus "in uniform".



That amount of duty time for a RJ FA would be in violation of FAR 121.467.



Yes, common procedure. What some of the things FAs should be reviewing in their own minds during each takeoff and landing include:

• What is the brace signal? (the captain, during a prefilight briefing, may have specified their own)
• What is my brace position?
• What is my assigned exit and which way does the handle rotate?
• What are my commands?
• What are my actions at a usable exit?
• What do I do if an exit is blocked?
• Am I responsible for activating the emergency lighting switch?

More than likely the FA was not working that flight. Looks un-professional, sure. But if it bothers you that much, ask about it next time you see a FA sleeping. I am sure you will receive an answer.

I wouldn't worry; if the plane crashes on landing, the FA will most likely wake up.

Airlines can still have polices of prohibiting even the appearance of sleeping while on the jumpseat. I know of one instance where a union secured written clarification that FAs not working as part of the crew could sleep in a passenger seat without fear of discipline, and only a passenger seat.

Was this the FA?



Mike

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Some pilots have their own little tricks when they catch the other pilot asleep. Like setting off the fire bell, which is pretty loud, or pretending to be asleep themselves while triggering a chime or alarm that will wake the other guy up.

There once was a TWA Super Connie that overflew LAX and continued west over the pacific. The crew was finally wakened after repeated Selcal's from the ground. (It is like a doorbell saying - answer the phone).