Now Boarding ... Chicken or Beef?

[Mattg]

Was this CNS/DRW or MEL/DRW & was it an overseas crew?

No, it was SGN/DAD on Vietnam Airlines. But yes, foreign crew (Vietnamese)

 

[beardoc]

I had an interesting experience on BA LHR-GLA a couple of weeks back where the FA gave the exit row briefing specifically to the person right at the exit i.e. the window seat. It was interesting to expect the exit row briefing but to have the FA lean over me (in 10D) and talk to the person in 10F.

 

[harvyk]

I had an interesting experience on BA LHR-GLA a couple of weeks back where the FA gave the exit row briefing specifically to the person right at the exit i.e. the window seat. It was interesting to expect the exit row briefing but to have the FA lean over me (in 10D) and talk to the person in 10F.

I have to admit, I find it a little amusing the fact that the whole row is given the briefing, as the person in the A and F (or K) seat would need to be in a pretty bad state to not be able to open the exit in the event of an emergency. I also find it a little amusing that they ask if you would be happy to help in such an event, as really even the biggest coughhole in the world is still going to open the exit if required, if nothing else to save their own skin.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have to admit, I find it a little amusing the fact that the whole row is given the briefing, as the person in the A and F (or K) seat would need to be in a pretty bad state to not be able to open the exit in the event of an emergency. I also find it a little amusing that they ask if you would be happy to help in such an event, as really even the biggest coughhole in the world is still going to open the exit if required, if nothing else to save their own skin.

You'd be surprised at the amount of people who ask for the exit row or worse have already been able to allocate the exit row for themselves whether on dom or intl (paying extra for the latter) then when asked these questions by the F/A respond with "no, I'm a nervous flyer", "no, I'm claustrophobic", "no, I only chose this seat because it had extra leg room", "no, I've just had a back operation".

Better to find out this kind of info on the ground prior to take-off when there's time to reseat these people than in an emergency situation when it may be too late.

 

[anat0l]

Better to find out this kind of info on the ground prior to take-off when there's time to reseat these people than in an emergency situation when it may be too late.

The problem is when you get the flat out liars who should answer "no" but they're just 'faking it' for the extra leg room.

Unfortunately, you can't hold those idiots liable once you're dead.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

The problem is when you get the flat out liars who should answer "no" but they're just 'faking it' for the extra leg room.

Unfortunately, you can't hold those idiots liable once you're dead.

I find it annoying that airlines market exit row seating as "extra leg room seats" so the legroom is the primary feature where it should be safety first, then with leg room a secondary benefit. If it's all about extra leg room, that's all people see - they don't comprehend the responsibility that goes with it.

If they are really interested in the marketing of such seats then they should have seats that offer extra leg room without being in an exit row.

 

[anat0l]

I find it annoying that airlines market exit row seating as "extra leg room seats" so the legroom is the primary feature where it should be safety first, then with leg room a secondary benefit. If it's all about extra leg room, that's all people see - they don't comprehend the responsibility that goes with it.

If they are really interested in the marketing of such seats then they should have seats that offer extra leg room without being in an exit row.

You could further argue that various websites and media outlets are making people aware that there is extra room at the exit rows which people then latch onto with that knowledge. They are even worse than the airlines because not many of said publications even try to mention that there are some provisos for sitting in these seats. (I think some of these media outlets are naively publishing in the knowledge that if someone were to ask, "But don't you need to be able to help in an emergency?" then their response would be, "I wouldn't worry about it; planes these days never have emergencies, you'll be just fine. Just say 'yes' that you can help blah blah blah")

In any case, there are still faults on both sides, viz. airlines that market these seats now but there are definitely passengers that I have observed who must have lied through their teeth (and continue to do so once on board) in order to obstinately obtain these seats. Particularly old people (nothing against the aged, as long as you can dispose a 22 lbm door) who don't seem to know what it takes to help out in an emergency. (Unfortunately, airlines are at arms length to remove such people at their discretion without significant blow back).


We do discuss this issue quite a bit on AFF. I wonder if the real FAs actually share the same concerns?

 

[equus]

it should be safety first, then with leg room a secondary benefit. If it's all about extra leg room, that's all people see - they don't comprehend the responsibility that goes with it.

I wonder how many passengers would still be interested if a real "safety first" approach was taken which included a 0 BAC requirement to be in the Exit Row. No drinks served as a condition of sitting in that row. No medication for any sleeping assistance on long haul. FAs to wake up passengers found asleep just to make sure that they can be awoken in case of need.

 

[Mal]

I've long had concerns when ff status used to allow exit row allocation that people would get pissed in the qp and then take on exit row duties.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[Blackadder]

I find it annoying that airlines market exit row seating as "extra leg room seats" so the legroom is the primary feature where it should be safety first, then with leg room a secondary benefit. If it's all about extra leg room, that's all people see - they don't comprehend the responsibility that goes with it.

If they are really interested in the marketing of such seats then they should have seats that offer extra leg room without being in an exit row.

Hence Y+ (Internationally), J (Domestic/International), F (International)

 

[flyingfan]

Is there an AirPhone-type device that crew use to call ahead regarding passengers' potentially missed connections, baggage carousels and the like? I wouldn't think the radio is used for these things, unless there's a system separate to what the pilots and ATC use? I don't seem to have noticed crew using such devices. And how often do crew call ahead, or is this sort of thing mostly handled by the WP1 Special Service Team and similar?

 

[Solid]

On Rex flights to regional airports they will ask during the flight if you want a taxi and order it for you so it's waiting when you land.

They always say "radio ahead", I am probably wrong but assume there is a different channel they use to talk to Rex operations as you hear them sometimes when you are at the airport talking on the radio.

 

[milehighclub]

Is there an AirPhone-type device that crew use to call ahead regarding passengers' potentially missed connections, baggage carousels and the like? I wouldn't think the radio is used for these things, unless there's a system separate to what the pilots and ATC use? I don't seem to have noticed crew using such devices. And how often do crew call ahead, or is this sort of thing mostly handled by the WP1 Special Service Team and similar?

No - The connections are automatically rebooked hence the importance of having all the tickets on the one booking or linked. Once a delayed aircraft has departed (and not before which is why you won't get any information any earlier) our 24 hour network operations team will rebook you onto the next available flight. If your next flight is on a separate booking they won't be able to see and rebook you.

Prior to landing an ACARS message is sent to the aircraft with arrival gate, where the aircraft will operate next, passenger load for next flight and baggage carousel if allocated. Likewise before landing we send one requesting wheelchairs, meet and greets and UM's.

There is a onboard phone but it wouldn't be used for missed connections, because we know the procedure in place will have you rebooked so you'll always get the answer "check with the ground staff". The onboard phone which connects to the IOC (integrated operations centre - separate to the network operations) is usually for medical or system failures (like IFE). The IOC monitor every flight 24 hours from weather, mechanical, engineering to catering and so on.

On some occasions if there are a large number of passengers connecting to the same flight, they may send a ACARS message and this would be read over the PA. Common on flights into Australia where passengers connect to domestic flights.

 

[flyingfan]

Thanks milehighclub, that makes perfect sense.

Another one if I may - what happened to the 'personal item' allowed for QF domestic carry-on and in particular if I turn up at the gate with my 115 cm bag plus a thin-type laptop bag will I be rejected? Putting my laptop in the 115 cm bag puts me over the 7 kg limit and checking in a bag is something I'd like to avoid if possible, as evidenced when waiting by the carousel in MEL yesterday. I try to be considerate and put what I can fit under the seat in front of me, and usually fly 767s.

 

[serfty]

On Qantas domestic jet services you are allowed to carry on up to two 105cm bags up to 7kg each.

Why risk a 115 cm bag?



Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[flyingfan]

True, I just didn't want to buy yet more bags, one for domestic and one for international...

 

[ajca]

There is a storm brewing on Flyertalk over the apparent removal of the after take-off hot towels service for business class (and even first class!) passengers on ex-HKG Qantas flights. I was wondering whether any of our friendly cabin crew in this thread had any thoughts on this? Is it a cost-cutting measure or a logistical issue or some kind of vast conspiracy by Qantas management to make premium pax eat their meals with cold dirty hands so they'll be used to it once Jetstar takes over the route?

 

[mannej]

This must be recent as there were hot towels ex HKG (68) in J towards the end of March?

 

[milehighclub]

Hot towels have certainly not been removed. In fact I handed them out myself a week ago.

Perhaps some forgetful crew..... and I will leave it at that.


Interesting thread though about bar vs no bar. A bar service has never been done but we do provide a full dinner - entree and main (despite the 2005 departure which technically classifies it as a supper).

Remember Cathay Pacific don't plate their meals in J so it's very quick for them to just heat and hand out the meals. We plate our meals so that takes a little longer. Adding a bar service, I can almost 99% gaurentee that the posts would be saying the service takes too long.... Can't win either way!! Remember you can always ask for a drink at anytime. I would hope no one would ever say no.

I see Cathay does a reduced service on their later flight. It just so happens our cut off time is a little earlier and I'm sure that has comes from plenty of research that passengers prefer a meal and a sleep as opposed to a bar at that time of night. But who knows that may change in the future (there is a big revamp coming to the business class service)

 

[ajca]

Thank you for the wonderful insight @milehighclub! Interesting and thoughtful as always. I will let the Flyertalkers know.