How long should FAs and pilots chit-chat when people are waiting for the lav in F?
Jun 23, 2009, 4:23 pm
#1
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How long should FAs and pilots chit-chat when people are waiting for the lav in F?
I've noticed this quite frequently on recent AA flights. The FAs block the passageway with the cart, the pilot pops out and chats with the FA, goes to the lav, pops out and chats some more. All the while, people are at the edge of their seats. Some go to the FA and ask and they either say that they will have to wait or that they will have to go to the back. This isn't just a minute or so.. it goes on and on.. laughing and grinning, shooting the breeze.
Saying hi is one thing.. but really, should this be break time while people are waiting?
Saying hi is one thing.. but really, should this be break time while people are waiting?
Jun 23, 2009, 4:38 pm
#3
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Depends on how long the flight is. Just like regular jobs, if you work a longer shift you get a longer break. Anyway the pilots are in charge of your life so if they need to stretch their legs, I can't see a reason to complain.
Jun 23, 2009, 4:41 pm
#4
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Oh, come on. If you're that desperate, just walk to the aft lavs.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Jun 23, 2009, 8:06 pm
#6
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Oh, come on. If you're that desperate, just walk to the aft lavs.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Also, if you are in the front, it is often difficult to see whether the rear lavs are available, and by the time you get back there, they might be occupied.
Additionally, AA has a habit of telling us we have to stay in our ticketed cabin.
Jun 24, 2009, 4:08 am
#9
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Oh, come on. If you're that desperate, just walk to the aft lavs.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Plus, on most widebodies, they block only the forward-most lav, and the ones closer to 1L and/or 1R remain available while pilots are relieving themselves.
Pilots work long, hard hours, and I think they deserve a few minutes of socializing with their colleagues in the galley.
Given that the seatbelt sign can go on and off with unpredictability, and there can be bladder issues with some pax, is it not too a little much for the pilot to be out there for a 15 min hitch?
I believe in a few axioms on flying: FA's are primariy there for our safety; and pilots are best off on the flight deck as much as possible. All the veteran, high-time pilots I talk too tell me they park their butts on that seat and don't get up unless there is a very good reason.
Jun 24, 2009, 6:34 am
#10
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Agree that pilots work long, hard hours, but I side with the OP on this one. If the pilot is done using the lav, that should be it. Fare paying customers should be able to get at the lav and not agonize whilst the pilot sips coffee and yuks it up with the FA's. I see the same thing on UA and DL, both whom I fly a lot.
Jun 24, 2009, 8:37 am
#11
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They could make this better by announcing ahead of time: "hey, in fifteen minutes, we're going to block access to the front lav for 25-30 minutes, so the First Officer and the front FA's can get together gossip about other employees. So if you're in First, you may want to hit up the lav now before it becomes inaccessible to you".
Also, on an MD-80 there are only two pilots on board. I think they should both be in the cockpit as much as possible ('thinking about the recent Continental flight where the Captain tragically died). That's what they're paid for, right?
Jun 24, 2009, 9:58 am
#13
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Jun 24, 2009, 10:14 am
#14
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Jun 24, 2009, 11:27 am
#15
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I have seen this all too much on recent international travel and at times where pax can reasonably be seen as requiring lav access. There is little justification for blocking access to pax except for the brief times that crew is leaving or returning to cockpit. After all on international flights crew are in first class cabin sleeping, eating, etc. for virtually the whole flight.