button next to reading light
 

what is the button next to the reading light for? It has a picture of a stick figure on it. Someone on a flight recently pressed it and the FA's freaked out. I always assumed you press it if you need help getting your luggage into the overhead or another beverage. Judging by how they reacted, it seems like they think its reserved for signaling an SOS or something.

On some aircraft, such as a 767-400, those buttons are supposed be used in a choreographical sequence to create a song.

For example, this one is from the Wizard of Oz:

ding - ding - ding ding ding ding - ding ding ding - ding ding ding ding - ding ding - ding ding ding ding ding ding ... (repeat)

There are little lights in the passenger service unit that illuminate in sequence with the "dings", creating a nice little music 'n light show on board the aircraft. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

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"The minute a Bundy has good luck he immediately starts building up an equal amount of bad luck." -- Al Bundy, Married With Children

On NWA it's called the 'ignore me' light. If someone responds to it, they probably think you pressed it by accident. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

See, those buttons probably mean that that the FA's are going to have to assist you with stuff like this, which they clearly aren't inclined to do. That's why it's bad to press it http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

It's always worked fine for me until the 10th drink. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

Yesterday it was called the

"All flight attendants have to remain in their seats until we have landed, if it is a true emergency please wait until we are on the ground and press the button again" light.

Never heard that speach before.

I saw an FA walk down the aisle turn it off and walk back, never said a word! LOL

All joking aside, I always assumed this button was a leftover from the high-service days and was intended to alert the FA's if you needed another beverage or needed a blanket.

Was it always intended just for emergencies?

I was on at least one flight this year, don't remember with who, when they said if there is anything we can do for you please don't hesitate to press the call button. It wasn't a domestic airline, that's all I remember.

It use to be for service when service was something they use to do all the time, for what it's worth now they may as well take them away.

The FAs freaked out? I'm surprised they even acknowledged it.

Was on a BA flight WAW-LHR yesterday, and they were being used for people asking for drinks. The FAs were responding to it quite happily...

At least try to do for yourself what you wanted the button to accomplish before you push the button. But if your own repeated attempts fail, the button is supposed to accomplish the task.

Exception: The button is not supposed to get baggage into the overhead bin until after the space under the seat in front of you has been filled.

Travel tips:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/travel.htm

Also the buttons are located at every seat position so no matter when the F/A is standing, s/he can reach one of them to signal the pilot or another F/A.



[This message has been edited by AllanJ (edited Dec 20, 2003).]

Pushing the button with the picture of the light bulb on it turns on the light, but pushing the button with the stick figure does not turn on the FA's !

Yup, yup, yup, I have seen the same thing many times.

It can get pretty annoying however... especially when the FA call button is on the IFE remote located on the side of the seat.

One of these days, we should all get togther and press the button at the same time. I wonder what would happen.......