Seat belt sign is out of control at UA
Aug 25, 2015, 5:58 pm
#152
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,662
I was on a plane in the last year talking with a FA about turbulence and he had been on a flight where a FA hit the ceiling and broke her neck. It happens. I get up and walk to use the toilet when the seat belt sign is on but I try to do it when it seems calm.
Having the seat belt sign on too long is dangerous because it leads to my behavior. I don't believe it when it's been calm for half and hour. There might be turbulence ahead, but I'm up anyway.
Having the seat belt sign on too long is dangerous because it leads to my behavior. I don't believe it when it's been calm for half and hour. There might be turbulence ahead, but I'm up anyway.
Aug 25, 2015, 6:10 pm
#153
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: United Global Services, Amtrak Select Executive
Posts: 4,098
Cockpit crews know they keep it on unnecessarily, which leads to people ignoring it. This is why when it is calm, but there is turbulence imminently ahead, they know they need to announce that "We're really serious this time."
Aug 25, 2015, 7:00 pm
#154
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: DFW
Programs: PLAT -- 2.7Million
Posts: 2,051
Aug 25, 2015, 8:55 pm
#155
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: FL 290 through FL390
Posts: 1,687
FAB
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 25, 2015 at 11:48 pm Reason: repaired quote
Aug 25, 2015, 9:36 pm
#156
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: EAU
Programs: UA 1K, CO Plat, NW Plat, Marriott Premiere Plat, SPG Plat, Priority Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 4,712
I ignore the seatbelt sign entirely.
If I don't have a reason to be up, I'm seated with my belt fastened.
If I do have a reason to be up, if the FA's are up, I'm up. If the FA's are buckled in, I'm not going anywhere.
Aug 25, 2015, 10:01 pm
#157
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: ATL
Programs: Delta PlM, 1M
Posts: 6,365
I will certainly stay belted in when the FA's are dinged to sit down, landing/takeoff, and when the pilot announces the request and such.
But I sure am hell not going to pee into a cup because the sign has been on for hours.
I will avoid getting up to stretch my legs and such when the sign is on.
And I fail to see any reason my belt should not always be buckled when I am seated, and most certainly when sleeping.
The failure of the seat belt light to usefully convey information is not UA specific though.
Aug 25, 2015, 10:34 pm
#158
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: AA EXP, PriorityClub Gold, SPG Gold, Hertz Gold fivestar
Posts: 486
My experience (on AA) is that the seat belt sign normally goes off pretty quick after takeoff. But if it gets turned on mid flight it normally stays on for the rest of the flight.
After noticing this a few times I changed my behavior. At the slightest hint of turbulence I unbuckle and head to the restroom. The hope is to get in and start using the restroom before the seatbelt sign gets illuminated thereby letting me finish and return to my seat without breaking the rules. This prevents me being sat desperate for a pee for 4-6 hrs (which has happened in the past).
After noticing this a few times I changed my behavior. At the slightest hint of turbulence I unbuckle and head to the restroom. The hope is to get in and start using the restroom before the seatbelt sign gets illuminated thereby letting me finish and return to my seat without breaking the rules. This prevents me being sat desperate for a pee for 4-6 hrs (which has happened in the past).
Aug 25, 2015, 10:43 pm
#159
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC / TYO / Up in the Air
Programs: UA GS 1.7MM, AA 2.1MM, EK, BA, SQ, CX, Marriot LT, Accor P
Posts: 6,318
My experience (on AA) is that the seat belt sign normally goes off pretty quick after takeoff. But if it gets turned on mid flight it normally stays on for the rest of the flight.
After noticing this a few times I changed my behavior. At the slightest hint of turbulence I unbuckle and head to the restroom. The hope is to get in and start using the restroom before the seatbelt sign gets illuminated thereby letting me finish and return to my seat without breaking the rules. This prevents me being sat desperate for a pee for 4-6 hrs (which has happened in the past).
After noticing this a few times I changed my behavior. At the slightest hint of turbulence I unbuckle and head to the restroom. The hope is to get in and start using the restroom before the seatbelt sign gets illuminated thereby letting me finish and return to my seat without breaking the rules. This prevents me being sat desperate for a pee for 4-6 hrs (which has happened in the past).
Aug 25, 2015, 10:46 pm
#160
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: IAH
Programs: Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist, DL Plat, UA Silver
Posts: 4,043
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Aug 26, 2015, 1:03 am
#163
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: 5280 feet
Programs: UA GS
Posts: 674
The blaring auto-announcement is bad enough but then on trips to destinations where English is not the primary language you get to ensure the repeat of that announcement in as many as 2 additional different languages. On a flight to ZRH I got it in English, German and French.
Aug 26, 2015, 4:12 am
#164
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: SZX/HKG/BWI
Programs: UA 1K 1.1MM, CX Diam 1.0MM, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hertz PC, MGM Pearl
Posts: 2,637
This +1. I was on CA150 TPE-HGH a few days ago. The seatbelt sign went off at around 40 minutes into the flight, then 5 minutes later, due to turbulence, went back on and for the duration of the entire flight. The turbulence lasted about a minute or two and that was all the turbulence which occurred during the flight.
Aug 26, 2015, 4:38 am
#165
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Mid Atlantic
Programs: Delta Plat, one-time United Plat, Amex Plat, Marriott Plat, Hertz Prez Circle, Bus Pass
Posts: 1,237
I like the Korean Air approach: use it sparingly, but when you do, actually enforce it. US carriers give us the worst of both worlds: leave it on constantly, but then let people get up anyway. That's a recipe for injuries.