Less than Good experience on SQ out of Dubai

[SCM]

Here's the issue.. When passengers on the SQ flight were knocked around because of turbulence the lawyers blamed the airline because they should have been more cautious (it seems) and should have made people sit with seatbelts on at the slightest hint of turbulence. It cost them a fortune, so we get what we deserve.

This is a matter to the Singaporean government to deal with, and deal with it they should. Other airlines (like Qatar) clearly don't care.

 

[jb747]

With the dozens of flight leaving dubai, many heading in the same direction, you’d expect any major issues of turbulence to be reported between pilots?

Pilots rarely report anything to each other. Well, other than Americans, and they just yabber over any frequency. Most of the time, aircraft radios will be tuned to ATC, and their frequency is not for general chat. Nor, is the most common other frequency, which is for SAR and emergencies. Basically, you’re all big boys, and are expected to be able to read your own radar, or the weather forecasts.

If there were reports of turbulence, fair enough. But there was also no communication from the flight deck.

It doesn’t sound well managed, and I’ll bet it comes back to some edict from on high. I’d be curious too, to see what effect covid had on the pilot list at SQ. I know that it removed a lot of the expat experience (possibly all) from the ME airlines, and I wasn’t happy with them in the first place.

99% of other airlines other than qantas will use the seatbelt sign as a precaution for passengers, not crew.

The QF system seemed to work perfectly well, with the signs on rarely, and only when needed. I really can’t see why this is so hard for others to do, and it really makes me wonder about the rest of their operation.

They think crew can manage to walk around safely, but not a little old man. Or a parent nursing an infant. What is the appropriate command when it is safe for 95% of pax to be moving around, but a tiny few might have difficulty?

You can’t differentiate. It’s acceptable or it’s not. The medical status of a passenger isn’t part of the equation.

 

[L2.]

Not related to the carrier(s) being discussed, but the discussion relating to the seatbelt sign reminds me of a flight that I had in the US last week on Delta.

It was announced by the captain quite early during the flight that he would would be putting on the seatbelt sign earlier than usual prior to our descent due to some forecast turbulence, which didn't end up eventuating.

After the sign went on, during the descent it was announced by the cabin crew that they could not leave their seats to check the cabin prior to landing, with it being stressed that it was important for passengers to comply with putting their tray tables up/seat backs upright, and it being advised for any rubbish to be left on the seat for cleaners to collect after the flight.

 

[stm1sydney]

What do the crew do if you say "I NEEEEEDD to go to the toilet."?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What do the crew do if you say "I NEEEEEDD to go to the toilet."?

In the US you can. Apparently they can’t stop you, and you have assumed the risk.

On SQ they were telling people to sit down. But oddly, they didn’t lock the WCs, and the message was ‘passengers should not use the WC at this time’, rather than ‘must not’.

 

[DC3]

On SQ they were telling people to sit down. But oddly, they didn’t lock the WCs, and the message was ‘passengers should not use the WC at this time’, rather than ‘must not’.

There’s the other option of doing it in your seat.

 

[Hvr]

On SQ they were telling people to sit down. But oddly, they didn’t lock the WCs, and the message was ‘passengers should not use the WC at this time’, rather than ‘must not’.

I guess saying 'should not' rather than 'must not' is the wee difference in preventing an accident.

 

[DC3]

I guess saying 'should not' rather than 'must not' is the wee difference in preventing an accident.

May be more than a wee difference.

 

[PERLHR]

Mmm...sometimes I think it's a cultural thing. I recall at least twice on decent into Hong Kong on Finnair. Quite bumpy as it was yet some people who were certainly not European in appearance..trotted down towards to the toilets. A very exasperated Finnish CC lass ran down the aisle yelling "get into your seats" and frankly somewhat with a degree of authority made sure they did before rushing back to her own seat ....looking very annoyed. If only people woul do as they are told...and yes even when seated and buckled in you could feel the aircraft move somewhat.

 

[DC3]

trotted down towards to the toilets

 

[ols]

There’s the other option of doing it in your seat.

They can put adult nappies in the amenities kits

 

[ols]

May be more than a wee difference.

That’s a cough joke

 

[stm1sydney]

Mmm...sometimes I think it's a cultural thing. I recall at least twice on decent into Hong Kong on Finnair. Quite bumpy as it was yet some people who were certainly not European in appearance..trotted down towards to the toilets.

On descent that's a different thing, but at cruise and at my age, I'd be wanting to take the chance.

 

[JackMiles]

On descent that's a different thing, but at cruise and at my age, I'd be wanting to take the chance.

Sincere question; are those advocating strict adherence to the seatbelt sign actually saying that you should 'go' in your seat if you can hold it no longer, even if the flight is currently smooth? And, yeah, I know turbulence can appear suddenly, but for the purposes of my question, let's assume we're in the scenario as has been described up-thread whereby the sign has been on for a lengthy time with no special announcement from the flight deck about the possibility of severe or sudden turbulence.
I imagine one response is to ask crew for permission but what if (a) they won't come to your seat because they too are seated with belt on or (b) they refuse your request? What then?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sincere question; are those advocating strict adherence to the seatbelt sign actually saying that you should 'go' in your seat if you can hold it no longer, even if the flight is currently smooth? And, yeah, I know turbulence can appear suddenly, but for the purposes of my question, let's assume we're in the scenario as has been described up-thread whereby the sign has been on for a lengthy time with no special announcement from the flight deck about the possibility of severe or sudden turbulence.
I imagine one response is to ask crew for permission but what if (a) they won't come to your seat because they too are seated with belt on or (b) they refuse your request? What then?

If you have to go, you have to go.

The crew will often - perhaps invariably - tell you to remain seated. They can’t do much else, legally or safety wise.

In the US they tell you to remain seated, but you can still go.

Some airlines will lock WCs while the sign is on. Not much you can do then.

But many don’t.

Not advocating that you go simply because it’s convenient. But if it’s bordering on an emergency, then you just have to go (provided of course it’s not in the immediate departure or arrival phases, or the turbulence is severe).

 

[JackMiles]

If you have to go, you have to go.

The crew will often - perhaps invariably - tell you to remain seated. They can’t do much else, legally or safety wise.

In the US they tell you to remain seated, but you can still go.

Some airlines will lock WCs while the sign is on. Not much you can do then.

But many don’t.

Not advocating that you go simply because it’s convenient. But if it’s bordering on an emergency, then you just have to go (provided of course it’s not in the immediate departure or arrival phases, or the turbulence is severe).

Hmm, we have run into some ambiguity due to my use of the word 'go'
In your reply, I'm not sure when you're using 'go' to mean 'expel in your seat' oops and when you're saying 'walk to the toilet'.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hmm, we have run into some ambiguity due to my use of the word 'go'
In your reply, I'm not sure when you're using 'go' to mean 'expel in your seat' oops and when you're saying 'walk to the toilet'.

‘go’ and in ‘go to the WC’ as in ‘you can’t hold on any longer’.

It would be a biohazard to go in your seat, embarrassing, and unsafe for other pax. Those considerations probably outweigh any risks when there is light turbulence and the crew are still moving around doing normal duties.

 

[JackMiles]

‘go’ and in ‘go to the WC’ as in ‘you can’t hold on any longer’.

It would be a biohazard to go in your seat, embarrassing, and unsafe for other pax. Those considerations probably outweigh any risks when there is light turbulence and the crew are still moving around doing normal duties.

Thanks for the clarification, and I agree on your further points. But to return to my original question, I'm curious what the hardline seatbelt sign adherents in this thread think.

 

[DC3]

I'm curious what the hardline seatbelt sign adherents in this thread think.

No, no, no. We hear enough from our AFF-hardliners as it is.

 

[mel-world]

I was on an SQ flight ex LHR over the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, where turbulence can be quite servere and unpredictable. After around 75 mins of moderate to heavy bumps, I really needed the bathroom. I got to the J toilets, the crew listened to my plea, told me to be very careful but did not either stop me or order me back to my seat. The seatbelt sign went off soon after so I beat the rush. My advice is to use common sense and ask if necessary.