Now Boarding ... Chicken or Beef?

[mannej]

Just out of interest, what would be the typical crew on say a 330 service out of HKG (HKG-PER, MEL, SYD, BNE)?

 

[milehighclub]

What do you mean by typical crew? Which base operates it?

 

[mannej]

Yep- typical crew, long or short haul?

 

[milehighclub]

Short haul crew operate QF87/88. I believe they will also operate QF29/30 when it becomes an A330

Long haul crew operate everything else

 

[harvyk]

Often I've noticed crew pick up the phone but not say anything, for example during taxi prior to take off. What is the purpose of this, is it to simply keep a line open or is the CSM \ Pilot saying something down the line? Or is it one final look over the cabin to give crew a final chance to say somethings not right prior to take-off.

 

[anat0l]

On long haul flights after the meal service and the lights go out, but your still on duty what do you guys actually do? Is there things which need to be done (eg clean galley's) or is that pretty much free time unless the FA call button is pressed?

milehighclub has already answered this, but I thought I might add some "data point" from a passenger perspective. milehighclub can confirm or criticise whatever contained.

In May 2011, I was on QF10 LHR-SIN-MEL (the whole way) in Y (in row 50) and unfortunately had a bad case of the nightowl syndrome (i.e. can't sleep) so instead of sit there contemplating in the darkness I got up and decided to gossip with the cabin crew.

For most part, the crew were able to chat and generally - at least in possible relativity to their usual peak time responsibilities - relax. Of course, some crew were in the rests and during the night I saw the crew swap so the first ones I talked to then got to have some rest. Throughout the night in general one crew member (taking turns) broke away at regular times to offer juices or waters to anyone who happened to be awake and could use a refreshment.

Other activities done included a stock count and filling out relevant paperwork (as alluded to by milehighclub).

Towards the end of the "lights out" period, preparations for breakfast started (e.g. preparing the equipment for making coffee / tea, organising the heat-up of pastries, etc.).

 

[milehighclub]

We have 5 calls that are made in day to day operations

1) Emergency equipment and security check call back

This is made prior to boarding as I mentioned a few posts ago confirming that all the aircraft equipment is serviceable

2) Door arming call back

Upon push back the CSM will ask crew to arm their doors. The call back is made just after the PA. Crew will respond
"Door position - name - door armed"
If there is an issue arming the door, you would say "door NOT armed" and the reason why

3) Secure cabin call back (And the one I believe you are referring too)

This is made about 1 minute after the demo is completed. Crew will respond
"Door position - name - cabin secure for take off"
Again if there is an issue and the cabin isn't ready you simply don't respond until you are seated and secured

After this call back the CSM alerts the flight deck that the cabin is secure and ready for take off. Depending on the aircraft this is achieved in different ways (for example on airbus aircraft there is a button on the FAP that says "cabin ready")

4) Cabin secure for landing call back

This is a recently introduced call back and is made about 1 minute after the seat belt sign is turned on for landing. Crew will respond
"Door position - name - cabin secure for landing"
Just like the secure for take off call back, you don't respond until you are seated and secured

5) Door disarmed call back

The final call back is made after the pilots make the PA "Cabin crew disarm doors". The pilots make this PA as only they know our position relative to the gate and it is made just before we stop. Crew respond
"Door position - name - door disarmed, pin inserted" (and if it is the last sector it usually ends with a thanks and good bye)



Other types of calls you may hear are conference calls. This is where every phone is rang to tell the crew something. It could be about some upcoming turbulence or something else. Crew generally won't talk during this one unless they have something to add or respond.

Then we have a normal phone to phone call. This could be about anything. Perhaps economy asking business for a vegetarian meal or asking someone to wake up a crew member from the bunks.

Then there is an emergency call. This is for very very serious medical incidents (if a crew member is alone they would probably make this call) It's also used for when smoke is detected etc. Unlike the other calls the pilots will be alerted to this call and listen in (and respond if required)

Finally the A380 has a call that the pilots can make to make sure the CSM (or CSS is the CSM is on a break) answers. It is a high/middle/low chime and is only answered by them (because on other aircraft you would have to ring around to try and find them!)

We also have three types of calls to the flight deck
Normal
This is done the same way as we would call another phone on the plane. Could be to offer a drink or just check up (we have to call the flight deck every 20 minutes)

Priority
This would override any call they are on (if any) for aircraft emergency related conversation. Would be used for a issue during taxi, take off or landing (providing the no contact period is not in place)

Emergency
This is the same as the emergency call above so it includes pilots and cabin crew phones. For example - a smoke alarm going off would require the crew to make an emergency call and they would relay information to the pilots about what is happening at the scene. You would make this call as opposed to a priority because you also need the cabin crew to hear what is happening, and what back up may be required to fight the fire (if there is one) 99% of the time a smoke alarm is from hairspray or deodorant.

Any call can be heard by the pilots, should they have the volume up for that channel.

 

[anat0l]

Finally the A380 has a call that the pilots can make to make sure the CSM (or CSS is the CSM is on a break) answers. It is a high/middle/low chime and is only answered by them (because on other aircraft you would have to ring around to try and find them!)

I wonder if this is the same kind of chime I heard on an odd CX flight I was on in 2010. It was a CX flight operated by an A333 from HKG to SIN. We had just taken off and an odd three-toned chime came on (it seemed more faint than usual, but that's probably because we are all used to the same tone/ding as pax all the time). Not long after that, that's when we were told by the captain that we had to go back to HKG (and spend an hour or so in the air burning fuel before landing) because of an issue with the aircraft. He probably had to tell the CSM something about the fact we were going back. (Luckily everyone was still seated so "finding" the CSM to talk was a relatively simple affair).

99% of the time a smoke alarm is from hairspray or deodorant.

Good thing I use a roll-on. Wouldn't want to be the centre of attention for something like that.

 

[cmon0005]

Last year I flew PE on the A380 (I was upgraded from Y) I was greeted by name at my seat by the CSM? or at least someone senior, and she confirmed my connecting flight details with me and welcomed me on board.etc.

Is this standard for PE, or was it because I was a QC Silver at the time for eg.If I was a Bronze only but in PE would I have been greeted the same?

My J flight on the connecting flight (A330-300) I was not welcomed or greeted by name and they seemed short staffed in the J cabin (the service was better in PE on the A380). Is this standard practise?

 

[Mattg]

How thoroughly are Qantas planes cleaned usually between flights? I ask because on a recent flights I've find crumbs on the floor, a cracker between mine and my neighbor's seat, a boarding pass from
a flight that morning, and even an A4 printout BP from a flight 2 days before. In particular, are the seat pockets usually checked?

 

[ozmille]

How thoroughly are Qantas planes cleaned usually between flights? I ask because on a recent flights I've find crumbs on the floor, a cracker between mine and my neighbor's seat, a boarding pass from
a flight that morning, and even an A4 printout BP from a flight 2 days before. In particular, are the seat pockets usually checked?

Last trip in 1A on QF there was a Gold DJ FF card on the floor...


Sent from my iPad using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[cmon0005]

This thread has been very quiet lately!

 

[milehighclub]

Planes are cleaned after every flight but they get a full clean during the night. If there was some serious cleaning to do (let's say because of vomit) it would be cleaned immediately.

During the course of the day are one or two things left in the seat - yes, especially if they are trying for a quick turn around because of a delay.

 

[anat0l]

Question about the A380 Economy self-serve galley bars: what kinds of snacks are stocked into them? I realise this may be a function of origin port, and perhaps the snacks are not replenished on the Kangaroo route (particularly, say, the SIN-Australia leg of returning flights).

Just curious because the last time I flew QF10, there was hardly anything to speak of in the galley - I think it was crunchy noodles or nuts. The second leg from Singapore was even more stark. I had imaginings of biscuits, muffins, chocolate and the like, and I'm scarce to believe some malevolent soul on board has gotten to the galley early and nicked all the "good stuff", so to speak. (Though if my hearing of experiences with the BA Club Kitchen on the FT board are to be believed, then maybe it isn't so far fetched).

 

[serfty]

On the 388 economy 'bars' down the back you'll generally find small cans of soft drink, some juice, small packets of buiscuits/cake/crunchy savoury pastries/etc. and fruit (e.g. Apples).

 

[spudseamus]

On the 388 economy 'bars' down the back you'll generally find small cans of soft drink, some juice, small packets of buiscuits/cake/crunchy savoury pastries/etc. and fruit (e.g. Apples).

would those apples be allowed into Australia ?:shock: or would the pax be required to eat them on board? is there a sign telling different nationality's of our quarantine ?

 

[mannej]

would those apples be allowed into Australia ?:shock: or would the pax be required to eat them on board? is there a sign telling different nationality's of our quarantine ?

I seem to remember MH specifically mentioning that all airplane food must stay on the airplane when disembarking at Perth.

 

[spudseamus]

thank you for that!

 

[minwildman]

Hi, just wondering do you know which pax are non-rev pax? for example pax on AD100 or pax on staff tickets?

 

[milehighclub]

We make an announcement on all flights regardless of destination that any aircraft food either needs to be left onboard or declared if you take it off.


The passenger list indicates those who are not travelling on a commercial ticket