Potential security/safety issue?

[USstew23]

Well PHLUS2 if you would ever come on here with anything friendly or constructive to say then maybe you wouln't get such negative responses to your comments/jabs. Piney, ART etc. will tell you that this airline is anti-customer but they will follow up with valid points and generally it points to management and not put downs towards the employees.

I can only imagine how friendly you are to the crewmembers on the flight but as far as it goes on here well you get what you give. You seem to have such disdain for the employees of USAir so maybe it's time for you to move on to airlines such as EOS or Silverjet since they seem to be much more customer friendly. People are at their limits around here and the last thing anyone needs is someone like you picking on them to try to spread your misery.

As for the blanket over the galley curtain rod goes, I agree with Cactus and EMBFA, it's tacky but not illegal, and IF the F/A's just put it up and remained in the galley for the remaining 3 1/2 to 4 hours then that is wrong. I still find it hard to believe that not 1 of the minimum 3 (or maybe 4 depending on aircraft) stayed planted in that galley the entire time. There are some very lazy f/a's around here yes, but rarely do I fly with anyone that tries to pull something like that.

 

[FlightChic]

For those of you who don't know EMBFA, for the record, EMBFA is one of the most knowledgeable and professional flight attendants at US Airways and above all provides exceptional customer service. Bother way, I wonder if Cyndy ever leaves the back galley to check up on pax! I'm betting she doesn't.

 

[sharktooth]

Last week, on a PHL-PHX flight, after the crew completed the drink/meal service - they all went into the back galley and hung a blanket across the curtain track at the entrance to the galley, and stayed back there for the rest of the flight.

It seems to me that having the entire crew in the back galley, unable to see what is going on in the rest of the cabin because the blanket is blocking their view - poses a potentailly serious safety and security issue.

Wasn't there a reason that the curtains were removed after 9/11? Wasn't this done at the direction of the FAA?

As has been stated, it was the TSA that had curtains blocking views of the cockpit door, removed or replaced with something less opaque.

I have seen passengers waiting for restrooms in the aft galley, constituting a safety hazard all by itself, inevitably bumping into door mechanisms and generally getting in the way of the flight attendants as they attempt to accomplish their duties. Part of the problem is the aft lavatory location. Putting up a blanket (to replace a broken curtain) tends to back passengers further up the aisle and keep them out of the galley area.

If you need help, ringing the call button is a really good way to get attention. Blocking the movie screen is another good way.

Good question. COMMENT DELETED BY MODERATOR-UNNECESSARY COMMENT

 

[FlyUs]

Folks we all have to face facts and agree that there are bad behaving customers AND employees in EVERY organization. The problem with F/A's is we as customers are locked in a confined space with between 3 and 8 of them depending on the flight. Likewise they are stuck with between 90 and around 300 of us as well.

I've seen enough bad behavior on both sides to know that no one group has the Monopoly.

So then a question for the F/A's who post here. When you all congregate in the aft galley what are we as customers supposed to do?

I know what I do and that's walk back, smile broadly, apologize for interupting and ask for another drink. I hand one my 5 bucks if I'm in coach and almost about 60% of the time I get the $5 back. Everyone gets the message and no feathers are ruffled or at least not to badly ruffled and on we go.

Unruly customers frankly are tougher and I think the female F/A's have an advantage in confronting bad behavior in this situation. I only ever felt the need to step in once. Being 6'2" and 265 (even if most of it is lard) can be intimidating. Two guys were just ripping the "A" F/A about the 320 re config and I stopped them. Just said "Hey does she own the airline?" Got a sheepish "NO" and replied, "Well the guy that does is named Doug Parker, write him if you're pissed, she can't help you" They sat right down

F/A's have a tough job and those who hang in the galley as described are not doing their co workers any favors.

What are you supposed to do? Like EMBFA suggested, read a book, watch the movie, etc.. If you need something, let us know about it but let the FAs have their space. Everyone knows flying these days, no matter what airline you're on, can be unpleasant. Can you elaborate more on "female F/As" having an advantage? What situation are you talking about?

 

[Travelpro72]

I see it the other way when it comes to passengers intimidating flight attendants. I have rescued quite a few of our female f/a's from ignorant passengers. The ones that will try and chew you out over a blanket, no more meals or a middle seat. Then tend to not give the guys as much a hassle. We have a few mommas that could rescue me as well and are quite self sufficient in handling wackos. I love my job and like to keep it calm, quiet and pleasant. Act a fool on my a/c and get crazy....smackdown guaranteed. They'll be calling TSA alright. ON ME! Piney your a seasoned traveler but I gotta tell ya, there are MANY passengers out there that are still expecting the "Air Strip" show or something. Why for the life of me do people find us so interesting. As for the blanket hanging it's tacky as everything else around here but NOT in violation of anything. EMBFA your such a mean, unprofessional and non people oriented flight attendant. You know I'm kidding. smooch.

 

[phlus2]

If you need something, let us know about it but let the FAs have their space.

Are you kidding me?

A FA is on the plane getting paid to do a job - and as a paying customer I am supposed to let them "have their space"?

Do you let the waiter or waitress "have their space" when you go to a restaurant to eat? Do you let the car wash attendant "have their space" when you get your car washed? Do you let the grocery store check out clerk "have their space" when you pay for your groceries? I would wager a big NO to all of the above!

Yeah I know - you have all taken big pay cuts over the years - but you are still there to do a job - which happens to be mostly customer service. If you "want your space" - then a customer service job probably isn't the right one for you and you should probably move on to a job where you don't have to interact with people such as computer programming.

 

[N965VJ]

<SNIP> Do you let the waiter or waitress "have their space" when you go to a restaurant to eat?

My server at Grizzlebee’s was s-l-o-w last week, but it never occurred to me to go track them down in the kitchen.

Is there a Grizzlebee’s chat board somewhere where I could voice my concerns?

 

[FlyUs]

Are you kidding me?

A FA is on the plane getting paid to do a job - and as a paying customer I am supposed to let them "have their space"?

Do you let the waiter or waitress "have their space" when you go to a restaurant to eat? Do you let the car wash attendant "have their space" when you get your car washed? Do you let the grocery store check out clerk "have their space" when you pay for your groceries? I would wager a big NO to all of the above!

Yeah I know - you have all taken big pay cuts over the years - but you are still there to do a job - which happens to be mostly customer service. If you "want your space" - then a customer service job probably isn't the right one for you and you should probably move on to a job where you don't have to interact with people such as computer programming.

All galleys on a US aircraft are for flight crew. Enough said.

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

Besides having the F/A sitting on the J/S surveying the PAX the entire flight, I suggest that if someone

needs something they should use the "call"button.

 

[tadjr]

Are you kidding me?

A FA is on the plane getting paid to do a job - and as a paying customer I am supposed to let them "have their space"?

Do you let the waiter or waitress "have their space" when you go to a restaurant to eat? Do you let the car wash attendant "have their space" when you get your car washed? Do you let the grocery store check out clerk "have their space" when you pay for your groceries? I would wager a big NO to all of the above!

I hate it as well when working the gates and the customer tries to come behind the counter to look over your shoulder at what you're doing. Back off please. I wouldnt dare go to a bank and stand behind the teller or loan officers desk while they were working, I dont go to the prep area in the restaurant and track down the servers and I dont hang over the bagboy bagging my groceries. That seems to be a problem with many aspects of air travel. People dont realize that this is my job, my work area, please treat me with the same courtesy that you would with anyone else in their job. Just because my work happens to be in an airport doesnt mean you can do things here that you wouldnt do at a an office or other work environment. I didnt get the "leave me alone period" comment that you seem to be getting from the post. In fact, most of the F/As here have said if you need something let them know. Just dont come back and hang out in the galley. Its their work and rest area and they have no where else to go hangout unless you want to swap seats with them until its time to serve again?

 

[700UW]

Phlus2

A FA's job is to provide safety to the passenger, not be a server.

 

[phlus2]

Phlus2

A FA's job is to provide safety to the passenger, not be a server.

I didn't say server - I said customer service.

And to at least try to get this back on track - Yes I agree - providing safety is a big part of the job - but how can you do that if you are holed up in the back galley behind a blanket and can't see what is going on the cabin - which is the whole reason I started this post. If something happened in the cabin - it could be out of control before they even knew there was an emergency because they were holed up in the back doing their crossword puzzles behind the blanket - and it wasn't just one or two of them - it was the whole crew.

And - if part of the job isn't being a server - what are they doing when they hand out cans of soda and sell me food? Are they doing that for my safety?

 

[diamondcutter]

What a wonderful person you are - and so nice - please forgive me for even questioning anything that a FA attendant does - especially you - as I am sure you are the sweetest nicest FA there ever was to every one of your customers!

So I'd love to know what it is like going through life being as happy and nice as you are? Please let everyone on this board know since I'm sure there are many others here who would love to know your secrets for being so happy and nice.

Simply amazing - I raise what many would consider to be a legitimate question about airplane safety - and you turn it into a personal attack.

For the love of god!!! do you think that with the thousands and thousands of flight a day...you are going to see everything done the correct way. That goes for all businesses . Why in hell do you care so much about a damn curtain? If you had wanted something or had a problem with it just ask the crew. But know you have to come on here and make a big damn deal about it.

 

[diamondcutter]

I didn't say server - I said customer service.

And to at least try to get this back on track - Yes I agree - providing safety is a big part of the job - but how can you do that if you are holed up in the back galley behind a blanket and can't see what is going on the cabin - which is the whole reason I started this post. If something happened in the cabin - it could be out of control before they even knew there was an emergency because they were holed up in the back doing their crossword puzzles behind the blanket - and it wasn't just one or two of them - it was the whole crew.

And - if part of the job isn't being a server - what are they doing when they hand out cans of soda and sell me food? Are they doing that for my safety?

so you turned you head around and watched as they NEVER came out from the galley the entire time eh? I assume that you have always always done your job the correct way your entire career. Wow I'v never met a perfect person!!!!

 

[Be Careful What You Wish For.]

Yes I agree - providing safety is a big part of the job - but how can you do that if you are holed up in the back galley behind a blanket and can't see what is going on the cabin

There are enough people end to end who would be aware of a breach of security. Especially these days.

It's good to be aware of your surroundings however we are not not armed guards.

Come to think of it, talking about security on a chat board isn't a great idea either.

Is it the security you're worried about or what people are doing behind a make shift curtain?

If it is security, write the company for a clarification of procedure.