Purser?
Apr 3, 2003 | 2:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: London, England.
Programs: BA
Posts: 8,773
For the second time in 5 minutes I find I'm posting a reply that starts off "this is an old nautical expression that has crossed into aviation" !!
And it is. Purser was a senior position among the catering crew on an ocean liner, so they were indeed one of the few to be trusted with the money. In the days of smaller aircraft you didn't need a "management structure" among the cabin crew, who were under the command of the captain, but with widebodies came these different grades. Nowadays it just means the senior FA on the flight. With solid cockpit doors and only two flight deck crew the captain can't really play a management part with the cabin staff any more.
OK, so I flew from Paris to Birmingham a few days ago with BA on a little 146, and noticed that TWO of the three cabin crew were pursers, according to their nametags. Seems to have got a bit out of hand.
And it is. Purser was a senior position among the catering crew on an ocean liner, so they were indeed one of the few to be trusted with the money. In the days of smaller aircraft you didn't need a "management structure" among the cabin crew, who were under the command of the captain, but with widebodies came these different grades. Nowadays it just means the senior FA on the flight. With solid cockpit doors and only two flight deck crew the captain can't really play a management part with the cabin staff any more.
OK, so I flew from Paris to Birmingham a few days ago with BA on a little 146, and noticed that TWO of the three cabin crew were pursers, according to their nametags. Seems to have got a bit out of hand.