Redwood839

All,

Was on UA874 (Top of my head) last week and was sitting in J on the last seat next to the galley forward looking. While taxing down to the runway at NRT the captain announced TWICE that we would be next for take off while we weren't at the hold short yet, and then once more before we crossed the runway threshold. I was trying to nap at this point so I was focused on getting some shut eye. Before thrust was applied and while we were lined up, 2 FA's were giggling it off in the galley, one even eating. Guess they realized too late, as the moment thrust hit they lost their balance and they made a run for their jump seat. Numerous items hit the floor which I suppose they hadn't secure yet. Less than 15 seconds after we were off the runway, one of them came into the galley running and picked up everything.

I've done lots of flights, and even as a pilot I do not believe I've ever had a crew member standing up in the alley (where I was told at least). Although no one was hurt, wondering how common this is? Big no no on the airline I used to fly on.

Side comment and I mean this in the most respectful way I can, man do the pacific FA's need a refresher. Both crews on UA155 and 874 looked like they hadn't slept in a while with hair all of the place. Massive difference between the crew flying from HNL-LAX later on.

sexykitten7

I've seen it just once ex-PWM on a regional. The pilots forgot to announce "please be seated for takeoff" during our ATC delay. LOL She just made it to her seat. We still had our PDBs in hand IIRC.

aindfan

I've seen this once on EWR-HKG a few years ago. The pilots didn't make the "Please be seated for takeoff" announcement, and the flight attendant in the door 2 galley was still securing the galley. She was assigned a door 3 jumpseat and made a dash towards it; this was a rare case of there being an empty seat in J, so she sat down there when she found the seat empty on her way towards her jumpseat. It certainly didn't look like a pleasant experience! It sounded like there may have been a difference in procedures between sUA and sCO pilots for the "Please be seated" announcement that may have caused the confusion (this was shortly after pilots merged).

Xyzzy

I had this on a flight the other day. The pilot hadn't made the "Please be seated fr takeoff" announcement. As thrust was applied an FA dashed down the aisle to a jump seat.

garykung

Same experience to me as well.

Were we on the same flight?

Miles Ahead

Many years ago I saw this on a 747 ORD-SFO. Flight attendant was standing in the aisle when the pilot hit the gas for takeoff. He shot back like a rocket.

aindfan

Hah, maybe. I want to say it was on a Wednesday in March 2015?

Dublin_rfk

Nothing flies like the Queen!

leonidas

The risk of something bad happening is very small. Takeoffs and landings are quite stable, if you consider the low low accident rates. As long as this is a one off situation and/ or multiple FAs are not doing it at the same time, I wouldn't worry.

Austin787

It happened on a Singapore Airlines flight, TPE-LAX. The plane started its takeoff roll with several flight attendants standing. They scrambled to their seats.

wpcoe

Whatever happened to the FAA rule that F/As were to be seated, and stay seated, immediately after doing cabin safety checks?

garykung

Mine was beyond UA's account history.

So it sounds like UA does that on purpose...LOL...

airoli

Happned to me in a somewhat more extreme fashion about 10 years ago.

I was on a TG A300 HKT-BKK. FAs were in the aisles doing a manual safety demo when the pilot came on the PA and said something in Thai. The very same moment take-off thrust was applied, and FAs scrambled to their seats.

We never got the rest of that safety demo, and I live to tell.... :-)

mellon

seen it a few times, however the only plane it might be an issue on would be the 757 with a wet runway full power takeoff.

fumje

How does a wet runway affect the takeoff acceleration? Does it mean more thrust is needed?