FAs not seated for take-off / landing reports [Consolidated]
#16
Join Date: Apr 2015
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#17
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 1,357
Saw something similar, but at landing, not takeoff. This was a UA three-class 777, on a repositioning flight from IAD to ORD after a major snowstorm. Less than 2 hours in the air, obviously, but the fellow across the aisle from me had fallen asleep in the lie-flat seat that was fully extended. The landing was on such short notice that the crew forgot (or did not have time) to go around the cabin to make sure tray tables were up, seats up, etc. (with only 8? seats in F, that couldn't have been too hard to do anyway). We had a hard landing, and the fellow was really startled when he woke up in the bed! I think his seatbelt was fastened but it was still a strong impact.
#19
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Bloomfield, NJ
Programs: UA Gold, Million Miler, Marriott platinum, lifetime platinum
Posts: 974
The force at the start of take off is major. You don't feel it sitting down, but somebody, or something, that isn't secure could result in major injuries, or death.
I saw an unsecured can of coke on an little 50 seater, fly through the air and hit the back wall of the plane, near the bathroom, like a bomb on a take off. It could have killed somebody.
I saw an unsecured can of coke on an little 50 seater, fly through the air and hit the back wall of the plane, near the bathroom, like a bomb on a take off. It could have killed somebody.
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
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Reminds me of my first flight on Avianca years ago - half the pax still standing and stowing bags during the take off roll, the same number up and taking down their stuff from the overhead as the brakes were applied after landing. Being in a window seat helps avoid people flying through the cabin....just a helpful hint.
#21
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: YYT
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FA barely seated before landing on UA502 from TPA-DEN
I was on final approach to Denver this morning on UA502 from Tampa. We were descending through some thick cloud cover as the airport was completely socked in. I heard the landing gear go down when all of sudden the FA stood up to go through the cabin checking for seatbelts and upright seats. I found this a bit strange considering how close we were to landing, but what was I suppose to do about it. Just as she gets down to my row, she turned around and sprinted to her seat in the front galley. The wheels touched the ground immediately after she sat down, I think the NTSB would take issue with this...LOL! I think luck was on her side because if she had been a few seconds later, the plane would have landed while she was in the middle of running down the aisle.
Definitely a first for me...
Definitely a first for me...
#22
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.8MM
Posts: 6,349
I was on final approach to Denver this morning on UA502 from Tampa. We were descending through some thick cloud cover as the airport was completely socked in. I heard the landing gear go down when all of sudden the FA stood up to go through the cabin checking for seatbelts and upright seats. I found this a bit strange considering how close we were to landing, but what was I suppose to do about it. Just as she gets down to my row, she turned around and sprinted to her seat in the front galley. The wheels touched the ground immediately after she sat down, I think the NTSB would take issue with this...LOL! I think luck was on her side because if she had been a few seconds later, the plane would have landed while she was in the middle of running down the aisle.
Definitely a first for me...
Definitely a first for me...
#23
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,401
I agree; probably honest mistake....I once witnessed the opposite where the FA didn't properly secure the galley in F prior to take off. As we were accelerating there was a loud crash in the galley (this was an A320). I was in 2F so couldn't see what happened, but the FA got up to fix the issue just as we were leaving the ground. I assume it was a wayward cart. I was going to ask later what happened, but sometimes best not to pry.
#24
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
The force at the start of take off is major. You don't feel it sitting down, but somebody, or something, that isn't secure could result in major injuries, or death.
I saw an unsecured can of coke on an little 50 seater, fly through the air and hit the back wall of the plane, near the bathroom, like a bomb on a take off. It could have killed somebody.
I saw an unsecured can of coke on an little 50 seater, fly through the air and hit the back wall of the plane, near the bathroom, like a bomb on a take off. It could have killed somebody.
#26
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: PHL, EWR
Programs: UA Gold; AA; Amtrak Select Plus;HH Diamond;Hyatt Disc;Hertz PC; Total Wine Grand Reserve!
Posts: 2,401
#27
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: KDEN
Programs: UA GS, AA EXP, BA GGL
Posts: 110
Had this at LAX last year returning from SYD with an easterly landing. The pilot made the announcement but it didn't register. I was sitting in the bulkhead right behind Door 2 and at about 200' AGL (above ground level) told them loudly "we are 10 seconds from landing - you need to sit now!". One FA ran to the empty (crew rest) seat next to me and the other two ran to their jumpseats but didn't get their harnesses buckled. The were all thankful that I told them - there would have likely been a few bruises as the pilots had the auto brake dialed up for the wet (and shorter north side) runway.
#28
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PMD
Programs: UA*G, NW, AA-G. WR-P, HH-G, IHG-S, ALL. TT-GE.
Posts: 2,910
There really should be permanent displays of altitudes and clocks and countdown on modern airplanes instead of just map channels and PDE web browsers. FAs, aisles and middle block passengers can seem oblivious to what’s going on outside.
#29
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA
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Happened twice in the last 2 weeks to crews on my flights.
First was EWR DCA, it was the poor girls 3rd flight by herself, ever. I was in 2A on E45. She decided she’d do a beverage service, I mentioned she’d have to hurry or just do water as we were scheduled for 41 in the air.
We did river visual at DCA, made 3rd to last turn, I grabbed her arm nicely and said, I really think you need to be seated, on the ground in 20 seconds! We about to make last turn and she hadn’t sat down, and we did a go around. I don’t know procedure, but flight crew definitely did double chime and gear was down at correct time (from the 100’s of other DCA river visuals I’ve done). She was a bit shaken up, but fine.
Second was a 789 last week LAX IAH, we had a quick taxi, but held short about 90 seconds. Started to roll and 3L FA was in 2L galley chatting. He safely made a bit of a run back and I assume he was fine.
First was EWR DCA, it was the poor girls 3rd flight by herself, ever. I was in 2A on E45. She decided she’d do a beverage service, I mentioned she’d have to hurry or just do water as we were scheduled for 41 in the air.
We did river visual at DCA, made 3rd to last turn, I grabbed her arm nicely and said, I really think you need to be seated, on the ground in 20 seconds! We about to make last turn and she hadn’t sat down, and we did a go around. I don’t know procedure, but flight crew definitely did double chime and gear was down at correct time (from the 100’s of other DCA river visuals I’ve done). She was a bit shaken up, but fine.
Second was a 789 last week LAX IAH, we had a quick taxi, but held short about 90 seconds. Started to roll and 3L FA was in 2L galley chatting. He safely made a bit of a run back and I assume he was fine.