Why does QF collect headsets in Y cabin up to an hour before landing???

[Max Samuels]

I have never understood this on international flights. The cynical side of me thinks its because the FAs are lazy and want to make sure they can get off the plane asap when it lands.

So the other day when this happened, I asked: "Excuse me, why do you collect the headsets so early?"

I was told: "For safety."

I responded: "But on domestic flights they don't seem to care, and collect them 10 mins before (if at all). In fact, I have been on international flights where they collect headsets a full 90 mins before landing - longer than a SYD-MEL flight!"

I have noticed on other airlines the headsets can be used right to the end. Surely it cannot be a real safety issue??

 

[drron]

Yes especially on Overnighters landing ~ 0600.I have the headset on to sleep so they wake me around 0430 if I am still sleeping.
A bit the same as insisting you fill out your brekkie menu before takeoff-and it is only a continental breakfast so what the.
And this is in the J cabin-no class distinction.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Tis a good question.... I'd like to know why also.

Many other airlines do gate to gate entertainment, so I find it hard believing safety is the issue.

 

[docjames]

Presumably to save time on cleaning when the a/c is on the ground. Much easier if the headsets are all bundled up and put away, just change the bag over for the next flight.


I agree it sucks, but I dont believe it's safety related or it would be banned on every flight (incl domestic).

 

[NM]

My personal belief is that it has little to do with safety and more with ensuring the majority of headsets are not taken off the aircraft by passengers. They collect them early because the cabin crew have a lot of things to do securing and preparing the cabin before landing so they choose to get the headphone collection done early in that process.

 

[dajop]

It is definitely not safety. I am sure it is all about aircraft turn around. Bring your own headphones and (usually) no one bothers you to ask you to take them off prior to landing. They do turn off AVOD, but usually continue with audio channels (as per domestic). This contrasts to SQ who as part of their prelanding checks ensure even those with their own headphones have them removed prior to landing - I am told for safety reasons.

If this is a problem, there is an easy solution for anyone who regularly travels long haul (or even short haul) - just buy some noise reduction headphones, a worthwhile investment just on sound quality grounds alone (I use the in ear type simply because of compactness and comfort, especially if trying to lean on something to sleep).

 

[BAM1748]

You don't like Qantas do you, yet you still fly them.

Just ask to keep the head set longer if they come to early for you, never had a problem with that and give to the crew on the way off the plane, they even give me a 'thanks' and smile to go with it.

Matt

 

[under the radar]

up to an hr before landing??? maybe a slight exaggeration... in my 20+ yrs of flying collection of headsets is done after the "we have just commenced decent into.... please turn off ur electronic devices.... and the avod system will be switched off at this time.." which occurs at about 20mins before landing. the reason collection of headsets occurs only on international sectors??? sadly even i havnt been given a satisfactory answer...and i work for the company!!!! btw...i totally agree that this 'policy' needs to change...but i am met with brick walls every time i suggest the alternative.. oh well!!

 

[dajop]

up to an hr before landing??? maybe a slight exaggeration... in my 20+ yrs of flying collection of headsets is done after the "we have just commenced decent into.... please turn off ur electronic devices.... and the avod system will be switched off at this time.." which occurs at about 20mins before landing.

Well last night into SIN it was at T-40, before decent and well before AVOD was turned off, immediately after meal run tray collection. Have seen it longer on some airlines, generally QF about 20-40 mins.

 

[JetLagged]

You don't like Qantas do you, yet you still fly them. Matt

Given the other thread started by Max today, I too see a clear pattern emerging!

 

[markis10]

I find the headset issue a pain, and yes I have had them collected with an hour to go, luckily these days I BYO.

 

[thewinchester]

Always brought my own, as I can't stand the poor quality & rubbish fit of the supplied units. However, never seen them collected that early before landing.

 

[flychrisfly]

I always have my own headphones but am usually too lazy to dig them out of my bag especially when there are some provided. If noise cancelling ones were a tad cheaper I might invest in a pair - they certainly work like a treat when supplied up the pointy end.

I suspect the FAs collect the headsets ASAP from whY as they often do have quite a lot to do at that time, it also prompts the pax to get their act together and prepare for landing. In J and F it's usually a lot more relaxed, in fact I don't recall the headsets being collected at all. Once the AVOD is turned off most pax just take them off.

 

[markis10]

We had not long passed ISA last time I was on QF52 into BNE when the call came to round them up!

 

[drron]

We had not long passed ISA last time I was on QF52 into BNE when the call came to round them up!

Same with us 2 weeks ago and it was the J cabin.

 

[Traveller F]

On a long haul flight last year a fellow traveller with his own headphones was told to remove them about 35 mins before landing (F class). The person asked the FA why as it was his own headphones and did not need to be collected. The reply given was that if for any reason there was a safety announcement all passengers must be able to hear clearly any instructions.....makes sense I suppose.

Kind regards, Traveller F

 

[NM]

On a long haul flight last year a fellow traveller with his own headphones was told to remove them about 35 mins before landing (F class). The person asked the FA why as it was his own headphones and did not need to be collected. The reply given was that if for any reason there was a safety announcement all passengers must b

What about deaf passengers? Or passengers wearing ear plugs? Any headphones plugged into the aircraft IFE system will also receive any PA announcements. So why are international flights different to domestic flights where headphones are not collected or forced to be removed? Is there less chance of an important safety announcement being missed on a domestic flight?

 

[dajop]

What about deaf passengers? Or passengers wearing ear plugs? Any headphones plugged into the aircraft IFE system will also receive any PA announcements. So why are international flights different to domestic flights where headphones are not collected or forced to be removed? Is there less chance of an important safety announcement being missed on a domestic flight?

My thoughts exactly. I struggle to see the differentiation between domestic and international. In F it should not be for service reasons either - how long does it take to collect 14 headsets?

 

[Worldtraveller8888]

I believe Gate-to-Gate IFE will be launched on the A380 very soon, so there will no longer be headset collection for those flights. Pax will be able to use the full AVOD from boarding to disembarkation. No more missing out on the last bit of the movie because my headset was collected early!

WT

 

[Dave Noble]

If it was genuinely a safety issue rather than for the benefit of the crew, how come other airlines have the IFE operating from boarding through to landing ( other than obviously for things such as safety demonstration video)

Coming back from Europe, was able to watch a fair amount of a movie whilst sat on board for 45 minutes waiting for departure

As suggested by others to ppl in other threads, can always vote with wallets and choose other airlines which have better service; worked for me