Conversation started Mar 10, 2018 at 4:27.
gparyani
gparyani
Mar 10, 2018 04:27
@Catija Would it be acceptable to ask a question from the opposite end? For example, asking a(n on-topic) question on what a flight attendant should do if a passenger does this, while I was actually the passenger involved?
So, basically, I was on a flight (from Austin to San Diego) that was being diverted. I reacted nervously to the semi-secret signal they use to indicate emergencies, and I noticed the plane was turning off-course. The seat-belt sign was off, and there was no public indication (other than the course change) of any problem. I loaded up an online flight tracker using the plane's Wi-Fi and saw that the plane was diverting back to Austin.
I walked up to a crew member and asked why were diverting, showing them the flight tracker page on my phone. (The seat belt sign was off and there was no announcement from the flight deck of any problem.)
Catija
Catija
@gparyani That seems like more of a question for travel than IPS... you're asking what a professional should do as part of their job, not what the appropriate general IPS response is.
gparyani
gparyani
They knew I was an aviation enthusiast, since upon boarding I handed them a personal flight log book asking that they hand it over to the pilots. My question is, how can they handle enthusiasts like me who are uncomfortable with not knowing what's happening, while not scaring other passengers.
@Catija No, I believe that's off-topic for Travel - I'm a regular there.
See above for my actual intended question.
Catija
Catija
Also, I'm not really sure what an answer would do for you ... what are you wanting to know? How to judge a flight attendant based on your experience? What benefit is that?
gparyani
gparyani
@Catija To provide a helpful answer for other flight attendants, in case the same situation happens for me again?
Catija
Catija
The important thing with any site is why you need the answer... what we say will never matter because what an actual flight attendant does will depend on them so finding a hypothetical best response is useless.
Then let the flight attendant ask.
They are limited by regulations that we are not party to, which is why I don't really think it's an IPS question at all.
gparyani
gparyani
Mar 10, 2018 04:38
How about the same question, but from my side?
@Catija As in, "what should I do if our plane is emergency landing but no public indication other than a course change and the semi-secret signal has been made?"
Catija
Catija
Meaning what should you do in that case? I think most people would say, "sit down and shut up". Why do you think you need to be party to private information.
gparyani
gparyani
@Catija Because I feel uncomfortable unless I know the truth. I'd rather hear them say, "we don't have enough fuel to land at Heathrow, so we're diverting" than say "oh, we'll be landing soon"
Catija
Catija
If they could tell people... they would tell people. All you're doing is putting them in a tough spot.
user15026
@gparyani Right, that's comforting for you, potentially scary for others, and once people start panicking, you could have an even worse situation ion your hands
user15026
there is a fine balance between too much info and just enough
user15026
Mar 10, 2018 04:43
They likely are trained to only say certain things in certain situations in order to keep the maximum number of people calm
gparyani
gparyani
They know I know a little about aviation because I handed them a book with "I am an aviation enthusiast" clearly written on the cover
user15026
@gparyani so? that's not going to change the rules
Catija
Catija
@gparyani That doesn't entitle you to anything...
user15026
You seem to be missing the point, you're not the only one on the plane
Catija
Catija
It's not like you're a pilot and you've told them and they'll say Oh, good... the pilot is dead and you're just what we need to land the plane.
user15026
Mar 10, 2018 04:44
So yes if they tell you, you feel better but the person that overhears might panic and then tell another person and then you have a plane full of panicking people
gparyani
gparyani
(By the way, it has quite a bit of perks. I once got free tea/coffee from a no-frills carrier that charges for it, and two cockpit photos after landing)
user15026
Like...you can't help them, you can't fix this, and demanding info just makes it worse on them because they're already dealing with a potentially tense situation
user15026
And your insistence that they take time out of what they're doing to tell you what is going on could also potentially impede their ability to do their job
user15026
@gparyani that doesn't change anything in any of the points we are making
user15026
like it's probably a good thing people didn;t notice
Catija
Catija
Mar 10, 2018 04:48
That's probably why they turned gradually...
user15026
Because then they would just be calm and chill
user15026
And then they could break the news in a safe and calm manner, like they're very well trained to do
user15026
Like...do you realize the sheer amount of training and retraining they have to do to do that job? They're smart people who know what they're doing, and knowing when to release info and when not to is a very big part of that
user15026
They're trying to keep people safe in a giant tin going super fast in the sky
Catija
Catija
Especially the ones on flights that go overseas.
user15026
Mar 10, 2018 04:49
like....humans were not designed for that. Heck, some people panic even on a super super calm super easy flight
gparyani
gparyani
So back to my original question: a question from my view about what to do if I get these signals (most importantly the flight tracker saying that our flight has been diverted) would be on-topic?
user15026
So anything that can potentially add to that is not good because the last thing you want is basically like...a herd of trapped, scared people who feel powerless.
Catija
Catija
If you don't believe us... you're always welcome to ask. We can't promise it will stay open without seeing the full question and we have no way to know how the users witll respond.
 
Conversation ended Mar 10, 2018 at 4:52.