FAs where are they?

[ahah1962]

This is my first post, so go easy I frequently check on the threads and there is always great information, thank you.

The absence of proactive FAs is discussed where they seem to provide minimum level of service and then hide up the pointy ends discussing weekend and reading magazines.

This phenomena lives on, in fact although I have received at times excellent service, what I have observed irrespective of ticket class, is the FAs want to churn get it done and disappear. This really bewilders me as their job must draggggggg. I personally have experienced this on 80% of both domestic and international Virgin flights.


Today's post is provoked by feedback from my partner's (also a self funded platinum) BNE - HBA today, same outcome, busy flight 5 in J, flight full, he reports FAs did the obligatory and disappeared. From row 3 he investigated the absence of the crew and of two occasions he visited the rear to discover they were gas bagging and reading girly magazines.

I am perplexed as to the frequency of this reported content when VA monitor this site, yet still their crew appear to be somewhat apathetic without improvement. There is no shortage of applicants for FA positions.

If VA is reading I do congratulate the improvement of announcements from the coughpit they are finally audible and without mumbling. Unfortunately in J you always get an earful of the FAs private lives, it's actually disruptive and spoils the quiet time one should enjoy.

Hopefully the reinstatement of the same old thread may fall positively on VA's deaf ears.

 

[drewbles]

Welcome to AFF ahah1962.

Velocity do have a rep here (Velocity Frequent Flyer), and we also have several FA's around. Understandably, the FA's tend to remain slightly incognito, as they do not officially represent VA (likewise QF and the FA's we have here from there).

FA's are not authorised to speak for the company, and obviously they do not want to jeopardise their positions by saying the wrong thing at the wrong time in the wrong place. If you read between the lines though, you can typically work out who's in the industry.

QF Have an official rep here too (Red Roo). Both reps are active and happy to help with questions, and will often respond to kudos as well.

You can always send a private message to either of them if you have feedback or issues, and they'll try and respond to you as best they can.

Hang around and enjoy the ride, and read up. You'll find the airlines are here in some form

 

[marki]

This is my first post, so go easy I frequently check on the threads and there is always great information, thank you.

The absence of proactive FAs is discussed where they seem to provide minimum level of service and then hide up the pointy ends discussing weekend and reading magazines.

This phenomena lives on, in fact although I have received at times excellent service, what I have observed irrespective of ticket class, is the FAs want to churn get it done and disappear. This really bewilders me as their job must draggggggg. I personally have experienced this on 80% of both domestic and international Virgin flights.


Today's post is provoked by feedback from my partner's (also a self funded platinum) BNE - HBA today, same outcome, busy flight 5 in J, flight full, he reports FAs did the obligatory and disappeared. From row 3 he investigated the absence of the crew and of two occasions he visited the rear to discover they were gas bagging and reading girly magazines.

I am perplexed as to the frequency of this reported content when VA monitor this site, yet still their crew appear to be somewhat apathetic without improvement. There is no shortage of applicants for FA positions.

If VA is reading I do congratulate the improvement of announcements from the coughpit they are finally audible and without mumbling. Unfortunately in J you always get an earful of the FAs private lives, it's actually disruptive and spoils the quiet time one should enjoy.

Hopefully the reinstatement of the same old thread may fall positively on VA's deaf ears.

This is a great post but I don't fly much with them, Qantas can get just as bad at times. In fact that's who I thought you were talking about until I got to the end if the post. To be fair QF have been a little better from the flights I have been on.

 

[trooper]

OK.. so you are saying they DO what they are actually required to do?

Yet you feel they should do more.. unspecified tasks?

Without suggesting WHAT extra things they might do... seems a bit of a vague complaint..

"They did everything required by the Service Manual.. but I want more"?

 

[marki]

OK.. so you are saying they DO what they are actually required to do?

Yet you feel they should do more.. unspecified tasks?

Without suggesting WHAT extra things they might do... seems a bit of a vague complaint..

"They did everything required by the Service Manual.. but I want more"?

Sorry sitting down chatting doing a Sudko puzzle whilst ignoring the cabin is not in the manual by a long shot. And it's poor safety practise as well!

 

[knasty]

I traveled on my birthday last week and decided to book a VA business award OOL-SYD as a small treat to myself instead of the regular paid Y. It was the best flight of my life - I was alone upfront and the CSM made me feel so welcome and was extremely attentive, to the point of telling the other FAs what I was drinking so that they could ensure my glass was full when he was serving in the economy cabin. He also chatted economy passengers trying to use the front toilet even though I told him I didn't mind "What makes them think they can come through the rope and use your toilet?" My only regret is I was so 'happy' I forgot his name as I wanted to send feedback to Virgin, but at least I told him personally when I left. I rarely have complaints about Virgin FAs.

 

[Homer]

I don't share your partner's experiences. On VA domestic J I have found the cabin crew spend a lot of time taking care of me, talking to me, bringing me more tea (at breakfast) or topping up my wine glass (in the early evening), etc, before grabbing a very quick bite to eat, often just before final approach, which they are absolutely entitled to do. In whY, granted it's less personal but then they have a whole lot more people to take care of. On VA international flights, where I only have J experience, the cabin crew are, in the main, exemplary.

 

[ketsuzei]

My only regret is I was so 'happy' I forgot his name as I wanted to send feedback to Virgin

Telling them the flight number and date should be enough...

 

[RooFlyer]

OK.. so you are saying they DO what they are actually required to do?

Yet you feel they should do more.. unspecified tasks?

Without suggesting WHAT extra things they might do... seems a bit of a vague complaint..

"They did everything required by the Service Manual.. but I want more"?

Absurd comment. We all know what FAs are 'expected' to do, servicing the J cabin. I doubt it says in the Service Manual "offer a top up to Mr RooFlyer in 3C". But you know - in the course of a flight, in J, I'd kinda expect them to do that of the glass was empty. At some stage. Even though it doesn't say so in the "Service Manual".

What do you think, trooper? No top-ups in J because it doesn't say so in the "service manual" ?


I also don't think it says in the "Service Manual" "After the meal service, all FAs may retreat behind the curtain and gossip".

FAs are not slaves and should be treated with respect, but its in their interest and the paxs for "service" to be part of the job description.

 

[lang_13]

Hi

Having flown quite a bit domestically in the last year - it can be a mixed bag. I can relate to not really wanting to hear the details of the flight attendant's weekend shenanigans if I am sitting at the front of the plane or in the back 4 rows either for that matter.

I have had some excellent service though. Although again I had a recent afternoon flight and there were a few off-duty crew in uniform on board, a couple of them eating maccas in row 3 - i know some of the plats on here would be horrified!!

 

[maninblack]

This is my first post, so go easy I frequently check on the threads and there is always great information, thank you.

The absence of proactive FAs is discussed where they seem to provide minimum level of service and then hide up the pointy ends discussing weekend and reading magazines.

This phenomena lives on, in fact although I have received at times excellent service, what I have observed irrespective of ticket class, is the FAs want to churn get it done and disappear. This really bewilders me as their job must draggggggg. I personally have experienced this on 80% of both domestic and international Virgin flights.


Today's post is provoked by feedback from my partner's (also a self funded platinum) BNE - HBA today, same outcome, busy flight 5 in J, flight full, he reports FAs did the obligatory and disappeared. From row 3 he investigated the absence of the crew and of two occasions he visited the rear to discover they were gas bagging and reading girly magazines.

I am perplexed as to the frequency of this reported content when VA monitor this site, yet still their crew appear to be somewhat apathetic without improvement. There is no shortage of applicants for FA positions.

If VA is reading I do congratulate the improvement of announcements from the coughpit they are finally audible and without mumbling. Unfortunately in J you always get an earful of the FAs private lives, it's actually disruptive and spoils the quiet time one should enjoy.

Hopefully the reinstatement of the same old thread may fall positively on VA's deaf ears.

So what's new? VA don't even offer Business class passengers a cup of coffee. IME 50+ sectors in J most of the time they do the minimum then dissappear. But at least they smile. Apparently up the back passengers usually get told, "sorry because of the weather we are not serving hot drinks"!

 

[jaspon]

Not sure what the OP is actually looking for. If they came through the economy cabin and offered a food service and cleared your rubbish . What else more is there to do? If additional food or drink service is required isn't that what the call bell is for?

 

[RooFlyer]

Not sure what the OP is actually looking for. If they came through the economy cabin and offered a food service and cleared your rubbish . What else more is there to do? If additional food or drink service is required isn't that what the call bell is for?

I think the OP's main issue was their partner's experience in Business. As noted above, in J I also expect a bit more than a food service and rubbish clean (unless its a short flight). Even something like a walk-through, so some-one can ask for something. (Yes, there is the call button, but as most of us know its often ignored, or response is delayed due to other priorities. And if it isn't responded to the first time, a second ring could be taken as bad manners and usually results in a very narky FA. I hate using it.)

And yes, even in economy - a walk through shouldn't be 'above and beyond to call of duty'.

 

[trooper]

OK Rooflyer... point out to me exactly WHERE in the OPS complaint there was any mention of failing to receive a top up of a drink...

That may be what YOU want them to do...and fair enough in fact... but the OP mentioned nothing of the sort....in fact mentioned nothing SPECIFIC whatsoever.... so pardon me for making an "absurd" comment through being unable to read the OP's mind, as you are clearly able to do.... Jeez...

 

[JKjnr]

Brisbane - Hobart RTN, 98% cabin full. 2.45 flight. Y crew one pass through from front to back. No greetings at any part of check-in or boarding (that happens abut 60% of time as Plat). Gone for next 2 hours up back, visited them twice, a nice assortment of papers and mags being read. Standard practice IMO. Yes there was a bit of traffic by one FA to J galley for chat time.

I understand what the OP is saying. In some jobs, one could chill out for 2 hours and surf the net, read a mag if not in open plan office, daydream of next Bali hols. A calm period in retail / hospitality can present such opportunities. However - some workers will FIND something to do or excell at their job no matter what it is. Others will just tune out and see that quiet time as an extended smoko. On some other foreign carriers of SE Asian or euro origin, even on a shorter flight, a walk through and being attentive in Y is what makes the difference between usual Australian service standards and to those of countries where workers dont see their service job as sufferance to get through, but a job to excel at.

I know we are "only" talking about pushing a trolley down an aisle and being attentive on a form of transport. But the OP is hinting at what makes QF and VA "hit and miss". Too many staff just clocking on and off. Not making every flight count. But i am being naive aren't I. Because I guess clocking on and off is being "Australian" while being your best, even at serving in a bread shop is a bloody stupid idea.

 

[MattC]

This is my first post, so go easy I frequently check on the threads and there is always great information, thank you.

The absence of proactive FAs is discussed where they seem to provide minimum level of service and then hide up the pointy ends discussing weekend and reading magazines.

This phenomena lives on, in fact although I have received at times excellent service, what I have observed irrespective of ticket class, is the FAs want to churn get it done and disappear. This really bewilders me as their job must draggggggg. I personally have experienced this on 80% of both domestic and international Virgin flights.


Today's post is provoked by feedback from my partner's (also a self funded platinum) BNE - HBA today, same outcome, busy flight 5 in J, flight full, he reports FAs did the obligatory and disappeared. From row 3 he investigated the absence of the crew and of two occasions he visited the rear to discover they were gas bagging and reading girly magazines.

I am perplexed as to the frequency of this reported content when VA monitor this site, yet still their crew appear to be somewhat apathetic without improvement. There is no shortage of applicants for FA positions.

If VA is reading I do congratulate the improvement of announcements from the coughpit they are finally audible and without mumbling. Unfortunately in J you always get an earful of the FAs private lives, it's actually disruptive and spoils the quiet time one should enjoy.

Hopefully the reinstatement of the same old thread may fall positively on VA's deaf ears.

I would actually beg to differ. Quite often when in J I have had excessively friendly and helpful FAs. More often then not they are even willing to sit down and have a chat when J isn't very busy. Your partner does realise he can press a call bell and doesn't need to walk to the end of the plane?

 

[quick_dry]

are the FA's expected to walk up and down the aisles asking if people need assistance? I'd hit the call button if I need help, so unless its to offer me food/drink, I'm gonna be a little bit irked that they're disturbing me from whatever I'm doing.