Crew on take-off

[RooFlyer]

When an aircraft is on its take off roll, and initial ascent, what are the rules (if airlines mandated) or regulations (if regulator mandated) for how cabin crew should act?

Mostly I’ve observed the one or two in the front jump seats stop talking, feet flat on floor and hands on knees or thereabouts. But I've also noticed quite the opposite - joking between the two, legs crossed etc. Quite relaxed.

This query is not about Qantas in particular, but perhaps @milehighclub might let us know what the situation is?

 

[drron]

I would rather see them talking and joking. A happy crew often means better service.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’ve observed the one

Ive seen them using their phones on takeoff. Im assuming of course they are in flight mode
But whatever they are doing they are generally quick to get on the megaphone because someone decides to stand up

 

[RooFlyer]

I would rather see them talking and joking. A happy crew often means better service.

There is that, but I’d rather if they were supposed to, focus on evacuation etc protocols if there was an issue, but I don’t know whether that’s actually the case or not.

 

[Ade]

Ive seen them using their phones on takeoff. Im assuming of course they are in flight mode

Not crew, but the pax next to me in a recent flight did not turn on the flight mode for the entire duration of the flight and was browsing AFR and doing Sudoku ...

 

[Forg]

^ I’m not fully convinced “flight mode” means anything … I follow the rules of course, but I suspect going into “flight mode” (or turning the thing off as per a while back) is solely because someone came up with the answer of “dunno” when asked 35 years ago whether mobile ‘phones would affect “something” in the ‘plane.

 

[NamarrgonFlyer]

I think it's to prevent interference on the radio comms for pilots.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not crew, but the pax next to me in a recent flight did not turn on the flight mode for the entire duration of the flight and was browsing AFR and doing Sudoku ...

I’m surprised they got reception!

 

[SYD]

I think it's to prevent interference on the radio comms for pilots.

In theory, for a bunch of reasons. Electro Magnetic Interference (EMI) / Electro Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) is not always a precise science. Weird cough happens despite safety standards and testing. Who really knows how every bit of aircraft electronics will behave if it develops a fault or some of its EMI shielding gets damaged?

The roll out of 5G in some countries using frequencies adjacent aircraft altimeters has caused all sorts of angst...I think there's another thread on that.

PS
I reckon the more professional FAs do the sit still, look and listen - at least during those critical phases. But I guess the happy, chatty ones haven't been told a dark secret from the FD.

 

[Forg]

Maybe the differences in behaviour observed are to do with the FA’s individual responses to being “intensively observed” by the bloke in Seat 1A?

 

[Quickstatus]

1A

No view of FA from 1A. Unless on Dash 8 (IIRC)

 

[drron]

I was only in 1A on the Dash 8 into DPO. The CSM put me there and we had a good conversation on take off and landing. he was in the jump seat.
I really don't think talking and laughing means you are not ready for an Emergency.

 

[Forg]

I really don't think talking and laughing means you are not ready for an Emergency.

Maybe they should be wailing & screaming?

 

[zig]

Not crew, but the pax next to me in a recent flight did not turn on the flight mode for the entire duration of the flight and was browsing AFR and doing Sudoku ...

I have also sat next to other passengers who do not turn on flight mode and appear to be browsing / texting throughout the flight. Being a 'rules follower' myself I try not to panic too much

 

[Forg]

I have also sat next to other passengers who do not turn on flight mode and appear to be browsing / texting throughout the flight. Being a 'rules follower' myself I try not to panic too much

You have nothing to fear, it’s all BS.
However, the AFF Collective are fully behind you when you stab them in the eyes with the plastic spork.

 

[Saab34]

Seated would be ideal.

I was on a Virgin America flight once, cabin crew slow in final checks, I noted we are lining up on the LAX runway while two cabin crew still going down the cabin doing final checks….hmm this could get interesting. Two things I learnt watching that unfold, full power down the runway, is that it is very hard to try and navigate back to your seat, and secondly, the way she struggled trying to walk back to her seat while going down the runway in high heels, how easily an injury could occur. By the time she strapped herself in the back, wheels already up. Not sure who is at fault on that one, I assume cabin manager.

 

[zig]

You have nothing to fear, it’s all BS.
However, the AFF Collective are fully behind you when you stab them in the eyes with the plastic spork.

I keep telling myself that I have nothing to fear, so pleased to get some affirmation of this.
I'll try to keep my cutlery unblemished

 

[RooFlyer]

My question was more about what rules/regs there are governing or guiding the FAs during takeoff. Personally I’ve mostly observed a quiet, focused demeanour with feet firmly planted on the floor. Didn’t seem to influence behaviour or attitude during the rest of the flight.

But OK, I’ll say it. On a recent flight the two in the jump seats were carrying on like a Friday afternoon drink session at the pub. Laughing and giggling pretty loudly, telling stories of the previous weekend etc. In fact it continued for most of the hour long flight when they were in the galley.

Now I know many here might say - well they’re enjoying their job, it wasn’t doing any harm. So what? And fair enough.

But I thought it was pretty unprofessional, but what I’m seeking to find out is whether they strictly had latitude to do that, or whether they should’ve been, as I’ve mostly observed before, just quiet and focused during at least the take off part of the flight.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

They are required to be in the jump seats during take off and landing and at other times as direced by the flight crew.
They are also required to be professonal and conduct themselves as Qantas brand ambassadors at all times.
But there are no particular rules requiring them to sit still, keep their hands behind their backs, stare fixedly at some point in the cabin or broodingly surveil the PAX.

Like any workplace there has to be a balance between professionalism and a recognition that every employee is a human being.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks; however I didn’t specify the airline