I just hope our FAs aren't becoming like some of those in the US

[Homer]

First let me just say that this isn't a complaint about VA. I'm a fan. It's just an observation about my flight this morning.

About five minutes after the seatbelt sign was extinguished on my 6am SYD-BNE flight this morning, somebody from the flight deck announced that they were switching the seatbelt sign on due to strong westerly winds. The FAs came along to those of us in whY and offered water but said they could not offer coffee or tea due to the possibility of turbulence. As it turns out we didn't experience any noticeable bumps and about 10 minutes later the seatbelt sign was extinguished again.

Thinking that as the seatbelt sign was now off and we weren't experiencing any noticeable turbulence I asked a passing FA for tea and she again said that they weren't allowed to serve anything hot due to the turbulence issue. She then went and stood guard in front of the coughpit door while another FA carried breakfast and two cups of tea into the coughpit for the flight crew.

Shortly after that all the FAs disappeared save for the one taking care of J. I later noticed them all while on a visit to the bathroom in the rear. They were sequestered at the back, eating breakfast. The cynic in me wonders whether the possibility of turbulence was a convenient way for the FAs to enjoy more time for their breakfast, as I have witnessed when flying domestic in the US. I don't suggest that the coughpit played any role in this however and frankly this is probably more about the cynic in me than anything else. I also don't want a grovelling apology or anything free from VA. I don't need the CEO's mobile number either. I'm a fan. It's just an observation.

 

[markis10]

Maybe I should head to the Village, sounds like there is an opportunity for a large order of travel mugs!

On a more serious note, that's pretty poor effort, especially for an early morning flight.

 

[smit0847]

I would have thought the suspension of any part of the meal service would either have to be at the direction of the Captain, or at least approved by the Captain as the FAs would have no other way of knowing there would be turbulence?

Would the Captain have to log some evidence that there was sufficient turbulence to suspend service? I doubt a Captain would risk getting into trouble just to give the FAs some time to eat breakfast - Captains don't traditionally care what FAs want.

 

[Homer]

I doubt a Captain would risk getting into trouble just to give the FAs some time to eat breakfast - Captains don't traditionally care what FAs want.

I agree and I am not suggesting that. I just wonder whether the FAs were taking advantage of the situation. Of course they may have been instructed by the captain not to serve for the entire flight. That's possible too.

 

[samh004]

It's interesting, I took a QF flight earlier this year where there was some turbulence and a similar no hot drinks announcement, but that was waived as I was in J. It was just for the main cabin. I guess less potential to spill it on someone in J compared to Y.

Also, just to be pedantic, if your OWE status is from CX it's MPC (Marco Polo Club) not Marco Club Polo, unless MCP Diamond is something else

 

[Homer]

Also, just to be pedantic, if your OWE status is from CX it's MPC (Marco Polo Club) not Marco Club Polo, unless MCP Diamond is something else

I'm a pedant too so I appreciate the tip on the typo. I've removed it now as it's just a Centurion benefit - it's not like I actually fly CX that much...

 

[grubbidok]

In J and the coughpit the hot drink is likely to land only on you and no-one else, therefore if you spill it it's your own damn fault. In Y your more likely to spill it on someone else rather than yourself. I can see a reason why they'd more reticent to serve them in Y than those areas.

Turbulence is 99/100 a false alarm. But it's not until you get that 1/100 experience that you see suspension is warranted. If you're not allowed to do anything else - why not sneak in a snack?

 

[Warks]

A few weeks back we had a similar situation except afterwards they still came through and served but didn't offer hot drinks for the turbulence reason. I think this was a SYD-OOL flight or vice-versa.

 

[lovestotravel]

Cost cutting measure