Excuse for Not Attending to Call Button on Int'l Flights

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Simon L.

Being someone who works in the same industry, I hate to be complaining about any individual staff, given the CSM's sincere apology and this mindset, I finally decided not to write to Qantas customer services.

Simon,

I have witnessed on many occasions that people press the wrong button and made the flight attendant come only to be turned back. However I agree 100% with you that the excuse you received is a poor one and frankly highlights the poor attitude of some of the crew. I think you still should complain because frankly they won't learn or 'get it' until they are told how bad this is. I hope you have recorded the name. The CSMs are usually quite experienced and may or may not have the opportunity given the flight attendant. I would write to complain about the F/A and commend the CSM. The CSM deserves it, so does the F/A.

Think of it this way - you will be doing the airline, and other passengers a big favour!

Having said that when crew fly to mainland chinese destinations and india for example, the situation gets quite bad.

Originally Posted by Andrew P

my opinion is any one who presses the call button to get a drink etc. is lazy bugger

get off of your **** and walk to the galley, the exercise will do you good

Banjo

exercise will do you good with DVT, but it's socialising with the F/A that will do you better

[Jack B]

whats so bad about india/china flights?? i've heard that QF crew hate those flights but i have no idea why? I hear they hate JNB too?

[D Chan]

Originally Posted by Jack Brownbill

whats so bad about india/china flights?? i've heard that QF crew hate those flights but i have no idea why? I hear they hate JNB too?

It's not only QF crew that hates them but I know CX crew dreads them as well. They are picky (biggest complainers / whingers), they think they are the only people onboard (despite being in Y), will use the call button for the smallest issues, they think cabin crew are slaves, they don't listen to cabin crew instructions e.g. seatbelt sign and they would still get out of their seats, smoking in lavs, sitting on floors, yelling at cabin crew, just to name a few. In short they do things that normal people won't ever do.

I was told a story about a mainland chinese pax when they asked a CX crew whether they could keep the Y meal tray and all the cutleries etc. I don't think anyone on this board would do such a thing (unless they collect these items as collectibles - which these pax were not).

It's sad to associate specific nationalities with on-board behaviours, but any well-seasoned crew will tell you the same thing and that these are typically the worst pax to have onboard.

[Steve Crook]

I was flying from MEL-SYD on a Qantas 767 in January. Whoever designed the seats used on those planes must surely be high on flight attendants' hate lists!! The control panel (including the call button) is on the upper surface of the arm rest and, hence, are very prone to being accidentally activated by a passenger - ususally without them even being aware of it. On that short flight I noticed this happened in seats ahead of mine on at least 3 occasions. Each time a flight attendant arrived at the seat promptly and was very reassuring to the passenger involved that it was not a bother to them (and this is on a short flight that involved a full meal service etc). It must drive them NUTS when they know that this is going to be a common occurrence every time they work one of those aircraft. Top points to the crew on my flight.

[Rhys Xanthis]

Even on the domestic (unsure about intl) A332's its very easy to press those buttons.

On a flight last weekend from Mel-Per, Dad was in the seat next to me and continuously pressed the control panel for my seat by accident.

Quite irritating!

[Philip Argy]

Originally Posted by Rhys Xanthis

On a flight last weekend from Mel-Per, Dad was in the seat next to me and continuously pressed the control panel for my seat by accident.

Quite irritating!

Better make sure he never goes up front as co-pilot!

[Simon L.]

Thanks for all your comments.

I know most QF staff are hard-working and I also have friends working as QF cabin crew members so I know how they feel, especially when they're working on some long-haul international flights, that's why I try to be respectful to anyone, but particularly those working in aviation sector as much as possible.

However, perhaps due to some previous tasks that I did with an airline and airport operator, whenever frontline staff, especially those deal with passengers and prospective customers directly, don't deliver the appropriate services and show their professionalism, I do get frustrated so maybe I should lower my expectation from now on.

Anyway, thanks for everyone's contribution and enjoy your Easter break!