eng3

FA was probably too short

I guess it worked

porciuscato

That's going to be a problem if she needs to grab the oxygen or the AED that's kept up there, isn't it? This all points to the big lie about being here "primarily for your safety." If you can't even close the overhead bins, I doubt you're able to do much for my safety.

Proudelitist

None of that is my concern. I don't pay to be a part of their work flow, and their turnaround times are their responsibility, not mine. As to the only alternative being to carry my own trash out...what? Sounds like a false dichotomy. It's not either/or. I can leave my litter right there where cleaning people can clean it.

In service circumstances where I paid to be there and am the customer to be served...not to be in service.

Yes. Because they are paid to do it.

If they have cleaners to do that and I paid the rail company money to ride the train...some of that money going to pay those cleaners

No. Because aside from basic taxes, which I am obligated to pay by law, I am not PAYING to be in the street in exchange for a service.


Because I am the customer. Because I paid money to be there, not to work. I don't provide labor in addition to money.

WineCountryUA

Topic Check

Let's return to the discussion of things UA. While references to other situations might be useful in the discussion, those non-UA situations should become the main topic of the thread.

WineCountryUA
UA coModerator

Silver Fox

It's funny, but my general view of United FAs is that they are like RSMs/drill sergeants and used to barking out orders that will be complied with unreservedly with no thought as to how they may come across. You can get away with a lot of things in life, and this, if you are just nice about it and inject a bit of humility, civility, and a smile in your voice.

Proudelitist

I expect them to maintain the place in a clean state. Hence their ownership of mops and rags and janitors.

Reducto ad absurdum on the seatbelt question. However, I would have no problem if they came by and did it themselves.

3Cforme

The FA is actually tested - regularly - on her ability to perform safety tasks. We know she can do those, when it matters. Now, if they add a test, close 20 overhead bins on a 77W in 80 seconds, maybe she will be challenged.

joe_miami

Not reductio ad absurdum at all. The seat belts have a lot more to do with safety than picking cups off the floor.

fgirard

Proudelitist

And as a matter of my personal safety, I don't mind doing it. I wouldn't have an issue if they did it for me however.

But I didn't pay the airline for the privilege of doing their cleaning for them. Refuse is not my concern or responsibility.

joe_miami

How is it "their" cleaning? I've never once had an FA ask me to pick up someone else's trash. Are you seriously telling us you'd rather have cups and assorted other trash strewn about your seating area for the duration of a flight instead of simply handing said trash to a passing FA?

simpleflyer

Just a minute. Just a cotton pickin' minute here, as Sylvester the Cat on 'Bugs Bunny' used to say.

Overhead bins cannot be compared to seat belts, merely because both should be secured for takeoff. Being ordered to close a bin, when I do not have the authority, let alone the responsibility, to close it is just not on. In other words, I can't order another passenger not to open a bin even during turbulence let alone during the minutes prior to expected departure, especially when I've been ordered via that little 'fasten seatbelts' sign to put my butt in the seat, something I can hardly do and get out of it, at one and the same time. So the idea that I'm to be responsible for the bins being securely closed is insane. In contrast, no passenger other than yours truly has any right to fool with my seat belt; if any passenger other than me tries to unclip it after I've closed it, I am within my rights to protest, and vigourously.

As far as helping keep the plane clean, I've no problem with that - provided any action to said end doesn't involve conflict with some other requirement, say keeping my butt in my seat as directed. Cooperation in cleanliness is the only way a plane will be kept as clean as possible in 'real time' i.e., while I'm actually aboard the stupid thing - I don't give a fig how clean the 'official cleaners' get it after I and my fellow pax have left!

s0ssos

Not true at all.
Did you read about the oldest flight attendant, who would bring his lawyer to these 'tests'?

I mean, in the military they have "exemptions" for fitness, how much more flight attendants in the US?

You also cannot order another passenger not to undo their own seatbelt. Can you?
If someone else opens the bin while the plane is taking off (say the passenger in the opposite aisle for the bin over you, the aisle passenger), you aren't going to protest vigorous? You mean you have no rights even if a bag may fall out and hit your head?

simpleflyer

Indeed, I cannot order someone not to undo their own seatbelt, because I do not have authority to attempt to control my fellow passengers and what they do or do not do, either with equipment intended for communal use (the overhead bin) or equipment assigned personally to them (as opposed to me) for the duration of the flight (their seat belt.) Re your point of some action of theirs resulting in my being struck, I might protest, yes, but I still don't have authority to order them to do or not do anything. That, as I am sure some FAA regulation makes clear, is the crew's exclusive prerogative.

I can on the other hand be considered to have some authority over my own person and equipment assigned specifically to me for the duration of the flight, if only because the flight safety briefing shown prior to every flight gives detailed instructions on:

where to stow bags (heavier items under the seat in front); putting the seatback upright and stowing the tray table; an explicit and unequivocal direction to remain seated with seatbelt fastened when seatbelt light is lit along with how to operate the seatbelt; settings for electronic devices during flight; evacuaton procedures and where to find cabin diagram; correct use of oxygen masks if supplied; how to operate an inflatable lifejacket,.

***On the other hand said briefing does not give any direction to close the overhead bins OR how to to close them. ***What is not explicitly asked of passengers in said safety video, must reasonably assumed to be the proper responsibility of the crew.

Finally, the emphasis in said safety video on being seated with belt fastened conflicts as a matter of logic with any edict to adjust the overhead bins, as if the operating schedule of the aircraft, its being on time, etc, superceded the priority of safety.

JVPhoto