Paging passengers on the aircraft before departure

[Aus ATC]

Forgive me if this has been covered before, but can anyone explain why (on almost every flight) Virgin cabin crew will page a passenger or 2 and ask them to press their call bell.

I must say I find it a bit perplexing, and a little concerning, that they don't know who has boarded, or where they are sitting!

 

[opusman]

Qantas do it too, FWIW.

 

[Aus ATC]

Qantas do it too, FWIW.

I hadn't noticed so much on QANTAS - or maybe just forgotton - maybe I'm not flying enough with them at the moment!

 

[jaspon]

i think they are pax who have checked in but have not yet boarded, and the staff are double checking if they are on the aircraft, before they offload the pax and start the flight close process.

 

[kalboy]

I've never had a flight where someone has responded to the announcement by pressing the call button. FWIW

 

[JohnM]

I've never had a flight where someone has responded to the announcement by pressing the call button. FWIW

Agree - and that's why I think jaspon's interpretation sounds reasonable. I think that they are just double-checking to be completely sure that the dopes who can't follow time haven't somehow slipped aboard.

 

[markis10]

Part of the offloading process is to do a page, at the same time ground crew will come on board and visually check the seats.

 

[Aus ATC]

Thanks folks,

Makes sense. I must say I have never heard a call bell go off in response, so the paged person obviously hasn't snuck on without anyone knowing.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I was on board a QF flight SYD/PER & was one of the first to board the flight but my b/pass must not have scanned correctly as I received a call on my mobile asking my whereabouts to which I replied "I'm onboard sitting in 26K".

Just as well they did check.

 

[snabbu]

Now I think about it I've also never actually seen or heard a call button pressed after one of those announcements. I'd always thought to myself how can they not know who is on the plane. Makes sense it's a procedural thing prior to an offload or some other reason.

I do love learning something new around this place.