Best Cabin Staff of the Year - 2003

airunner · 06-19-2003, 02:03 AM

Well, Asian/Middle East airlines dominated the top 10. Must be before the crew wear masks due to SARS outbreak.

9V-SVC · 06-19-2003, 04:01 AM

I cant believe Emirates is 10th place .

Fred Wengler · 06-19-2003, 10:15 AM

And not surprisingly, in the North American category, none of the traditional major airlines were in the top 5:

1 JetBlue Airways

2 Midwest Express

3 WestJet

4 Southwest Airlines

5 Alaska Airlines

06-19-2003, 01:01 PM

American's ratings will be even lower when their flight attendants based in New York, Chicago and Boston start flying trips to London and Paris with layovers in those cities of only 6 hours in duration. They'll be tired and cranky because they will have worked almost nonstop for close to 30 hours. But the company has to save money for executive pensions and other perks.

Lufthansa · 06-19-2003, 04:00 PM

Hey, where is Lufthansa?

They always offer great service!

Yukon 880 · 06-19-2003, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NYCAAer
American's ratings will be even lower when their flight attendants based in New York, Chicago and Boston start flying trips to London and Paris with layovers in those cities of only 6 hours in duration. They'll be tired and cranky because they will have worked almost nonstop for close to 30 hours. But the company has to save money for executive pensions and other perks.

Kevin,

Is this a bid by choice sort of thing that some crews would elect to do or is it going to be forced upon you by the company? Either way, it seems rather absurd but I can understad how some people would elect to do this sort of a "quick turn."

Don

george · 06-20-2003, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NYCAAer
..Around the world in a bad mood

Unfortunately change has to happen... Loyal customers won't look at it kindly if service degrades more than it has already. We can always walk and give our business to others that are striving for better customer relations (ie: United, USAirways)...

06-20-2003, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yukon 880
Kevin,

Is this a bid by choice sort of thing that some crews would elect to do or is it going to be forced upon you by the company? Either way, it seems rather absurd but I can understad how some people would elect to do this sort of a "quick turn."

Don

This was a change imposed upon the crews by the company. The crews will arrive in LHR or CDG in the morning (after working an overnight flight), get to the hotel (ever experience rush hour in London or Paris? It's bumper-to-bumper), take a nap for 4 hours, then go back to the airport and go back to base (either JFK, ORD or BOS). This was something the company said it could do as part of its restructuring agreement with the flight attendants if it so desired. However, how the F/As will actually be able to do it physically remains in question. Since 9-11, the F/As are supposed to be more vigilant in the cabin, but if they're half-asleep their abilities are impaired.

The pilots will still have the normal 24 to 30 hour layovers as usual, because the FAA requires that they have certain amount of rest. All that is required of flight attendants by the FAA is 8 hours from arrival to sign-in for the next flight, but airlines rarely, if ever, do this in the international operation. Even United and US Airways didn't impose this on their crews while in Chapter 11.

We don't have to fly these "turnarounds" as they're called, but if you want to work a 777 to LHR, or a 763 to CDG, this would be your only choice. We'll see what happens. If there is weather or an ATC hold (at JFK or ORD? Imagine that!), the F/As will not be legal to return on their scheduled flight, which could result in a cancellation or delay for the return flights to the U.S.

Way back in the 1970s, TWA tried doing this on their LHR flights with their F/As as an experiment, but it was completely optional and they never forced the LHR turns on anyone. It didn't work out. At AA, some crew members will be forced to do it whether they want to or not.

06-20-2003, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by george
Unfortunately change has to happen... Loyal customers won't look at it kindly if service degrades more than it has already. We can always walk and give our business to others that are striving for better customer relations (ie: United, USAirways)...

Around the World in a Bad Mood...

... is actually the title of a book written by a New York-based flight attendant named René Foss, a friend of a friend of mine. She also does a play in New York with the same name. The book is a laugh a page, and very true. She's doing quite well with both the book and the play. There has never been a book that was more honest about what it is really like to be a flight attendant with a U.S. carrier.

I don't think she can legally say who she flies for, but she works for an airline based in MSP with a huge route structure in the "Orient," if you catch my drift.

Her website isn't much, but you can see more about her there---

www.aroundtheworldinabadmood.com

Tracon Doug · 06-20-2003, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by NYCAAer
All that is required of flight attendants by the FAA is 8 hours from arrival to sign-in for the next flight

Don't feel bad Kevin. That's a normal turnaround for a controller.....

I leave work at 2130 (930pm) tonight, only to be back here at 0530 in the morning. Been doing that for almost 22 years now. Makes you feel better about controllers, huh??

Steve · 06-20-2003, 08:14 PM

Moving to PDX, Doug? Nice area, but a bit of a down-grade, isn't it? Anyways, best of luck!

Steve

Tracon Doug · 06-20-2003, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Steve
Moving to PDX, Doug? Nice area, but a bit of a down-grade, isn't it? Anyways, best of luck!

Steve

Big downgrade Steve, but ya know, there's something to be said about going home.

I'll be secure in the knowledge that this will be my last facility, more than likely.

As you know....... I make too much anyway!

continental sat · 06-21-2003, 01:52 AM

Im curious how far USAirways has moved up,Ive seen great improvement with not only their cabin staff but all their staff in general.

Yukon 880 · 06-22-2003, 10:02 PM

Hey Guys,

Kevin, first of all, I am totally confused by the thought that the FAA would sign off on this sort of duty day. How can we expect the F/A's to be alert, vigilant , etc., under those conditions?
Unreal!

Doug, I guess the same thing applies to your job too. Honestly, it boggles the mind. We really are talking about safety here and it seems that good ideas fall on deaf ears.

Either that or there really is nobody listening anyway!

You guys hang in there and ...
fly safe, as they say.

Don

06-23-2003, 11:16 AM

I just found out that the local managements at AA in New York, Boston and Chicago are working with another department of the company called "Crew Resources" to change these LHR and CDG turnarounds because the F/As are in an uproar over the whole thing. It's too late to change the duty days for the crews in July, but hopefully they will take effect in August. But, July is peak season for travel to Europe and the flights are full. So I guess AA won't be winning over any potential new customers for their outstanding inflight service this summer.

"Crew Resources" was also going to try to do this on the flights from JFK to Buenos Aires, Argentina, an all-night flight that can be up to 11 hours in duration, but it was changed, thankfully.

This was probably an idea by some person who works at AA's DFW HDQ who is paid way too much money wihtout any concept of crew members' working conditions.

Tracon Doug · 06-23-2003, 12:57 PM

Don,

Here's the skinny from most controller's point of view:

FAA = Deaf Ears

To be fair, though, a lot of our schedule woes are brought on by ourselves. There is a feeling amongst most of us that you'll get a "longer" weekend by working the crappy schedule that most of us work.

If you work a "midnight' shift on your last day (after, of course working a day shift earlier on the SAME day), you've killed two work days with one stone. For example, say you're off Tue/Wed, like myself, and Sunday is your fourth work day, you work a day shift, say 0630 to 1430, then go home, take a nap (good luck), then return to work at 2230 that night, and work until 0630, thereby working your "Thursday" and "Friday" in less than 24 hours. Then you get the rest of the day off after your mid (If you feel like getting up, later) and two days after that, not having to show back up to work until Thursday, in my case, at 1430. For what it's worth, you've gained an "extra" day off, nevermind the fact that at my age, it takes most of your off time to recover from that ridiculous schedule.........

Is it safe???? Not a chance. By 2 or 3 am on a midshift, you might as well be drunk, because you're about as effective.

Probably won't ever change, even though it's killing us. Sometimes we're our own worst enemy.

Yukon 880 · 06-23-2003, 06:35 PM

Doug,

I can certainly appreciate working the type of schedule you describe in order to gain a little more time off on your weekend. And I can appreciate that someone in Kevin's situation may fly a little extra to gain some extra time off too.

Some time ago, I would pull several doubles back to back, sleeping briefly at the airport hotel, and then fly home for a long weekend. I had it worked out for doubles on Fri/Sat and then I was home from about Sunday noon until the flight out Thursday nite. I would alternate with a trade partner and we would cover the fifth day every other week. Unlike what you guys do, I was cleaning airplanes!

I guess there used to be a time in the airline business when you actually could look forward to coming to work!

Don

p.s. there was also a time when an airline employee had a reasonably good chance to get a seat on a plane!

Yukon 880 · 06-23-2003, 06:43 PM

Kevin,

Glad to hear that AA has reevaluated their position as this proposal was pure crap. If someone wants to work this kind of a deal and if they can stay alert and sharp for that many hours...
more power to them. But honestly, how could they do that?

Both you and Doug are in very safety sensitive vocations and I for one would support work rule changes that were reasonable and prudent in the judgement of someone that has actually performed your duties.

How in the world can some Joe in DFW have a clue what your work life is like if they have not travelled and worked and done the job that you do?

And yet, those are the people that are making the decisions at your company and mine and probably most others too.

Safety First,
then Service, if you have the time!

Don

virgin atlantic · 08-21-2003, 01:32 AM

i dont care what u guys say but SINGAPORE AIRLINES has the best cabin staff service. Did u guys know that these girls train for 4 months. I dont know about other airlines but the girls even learn how to dress,walk,do their hair style,nail polish, properly. This airline is the best

06-19-2003, 02:03 AM	#1
airunner Collector Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Posts: 95	Best Cabin Staff of the Year - 2003 Well, Asian/Middle East airlines dominated the top 10. Must be before the crew wear masks due to SARS outbreak. Skytrax - Best Cabin Staff

06-19-2003, 04:01 AM	#2
9V-SVC AirBoeingBus Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Singapore Posts: 4,587	I cant believe Emirates is 10th place . __________________ My jetphotos.net photos Plane pictures.net photos Let's welcome Boeing newest product, the Boeing 7E7.

06-20-2003, 08:14 PM	#11
Steve Master Collector Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 838	Moving to PDX, Doug? Nice area, but a bit of a down-grade, isn't it? Anyways, best of luck! Steve __________________ Aerosite ...check it out!

06-21-2003, 01:52 AM	#13
continental sat USAF Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Everywhere Age: 23 Posts: 605	Im curious how far USAirways has moved up,Ive seen great improvement with not only their cabin staff but all their staff in general. __________________ USAF LoadMaster http://www.diecastaircraftforum.com/...tion-1395.html

06-22-2003, 10:02 PM	#14
Yukon 880 Clipper Speedy Kitty Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anchorage, The Great State of Alaska Posts: 773	Kevin/Doug... Quick turns: Hey Guys, Kevin, first of all, I am totally confused by the thought that the FAA would sign off on this sort of duty day. How can we expect the F/A's to be alert, vigilant , etc., under those conditions? Unreal! Doug, I guess the same thing applies to your job too. Honestly, it boggles the mind. We really are talking about safety here and it seems that good ideas fall on deaf ears. Either that or there really is nobody listening anyway! You guys hang in there and ... fly safe, as they say. Don __________________ Fly Delta's Big Jets!

06-19-2003, 10:15 AM	#3
Fred Wengler Collector Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Baltimore Age: 49 Posts: 115	And not surprisingly, in the North American category, none of the traditional major airlines were in the top 5: 1 JetBlue Airways 2 Midwest Express 3 WestJet 4 Southwest Airlines 5 Alaska Airlines

06-19-2003, 01:01 PM	#4
NYCAAer Guest Posts: n/a	American's ratings will be even lower when their flight attendants based in New York, Chicago and Boston start flying trips to London and Paris with layovers in those cities of only 6 hours in duration. They'll be tired and cranky because they will have worked almost nonstop for close to 30 hours. But the company has to save money for executive pensions and other perks.

06-19-2003, 04:00 PM	#5
Lufthansa Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Im MV scheint mir die Sonne aussm Arsch Age: 22 Posts: 2,513	Hey, where is Lufthansa? They always offer great service!

06-23-2003, 11:16 AM	#15
NYCAAer Guest Posts: n/a	I just found out that the local managements at AA in New York, Boston and Chicago are working with another department of the company called "Crew Resources" to change these LHR and CDG turnarounds because the F/As are in an uproar over the whole thing. It's too late to change the duty days for the crews in July, but hopefully they will take effect in August. But, July is peak season for travel to Europe and the flights are full. So I guess AA won't be winning over any potential new customers for their outstanding inflight service this summer. "Crew Resources" was also going to try to do this on the flights from JFK to Buenos Aires, Argentina, an all-night flight that can be up to 11 hours in duration, but it was changed, thankfully. This was probably an idea by some person who works at AA's DFW HDQ who is paid way too much money wihtout any concept of crew members' working conditions.

06-23-2003, 12:57 PM	#16
Tracon Doug Vector For Spacing Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Portland, Oregon Age: 51 Posts: 857	Don, Here's the skinny from most controller's point of view: FAA = Deaf Ears To be fair, though, a lot of our schedule woes are brought on by ourselves. There is a feeling amongst most of us that you'll get a "longer" weekend by working the crappy schedule that most of us work. If you work a "midnight' shift on your last day (after, of course working a day shift earlier on the SAME day), you've killed two work days with one stone. For example, say you're off Tue/Wed, like myself, and Sunday is your fourth work day, you work a day shift, say 0630 to 1430, then go home, take a nap (good luck), then return to work at 2230 that night, and work until 0630, thereby working your "Thursday" and "Friday" in less than 24 hours. Then you get the rest of the day off after your mid (If you feel like getting up, later) and two days after that, not having to show back up to work until Thursday, in my case, at 1430. For what it's worth, you've gained an "extra" day off, nevermind the fact that at my age, it takes most of your off time to recover from that ridiculous schedule......... Is it safe???? Not a chance. By 2 or 3 am on a midshift, you might as well be drunk, because you're about as effective. Probably won't ever change, even though it's killing us. Sometimes we're our own worst enemy. __________________ Piss On Noise Abatement! Doug Kenaga Portland TRACON Dallas/Fort Worth TRACON SoCal TRACON Los Angeles TRACON

06-23-2003, 06:35 PM	#17
Yukon 880 Clipper Speedy Kitty Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anchorage, The Great State of Alaska Posts: 773	Back to you, Doug... Doug, I can certainly appreciate working the type of schedule you describe in order to gain a little more time off on your weekend. And I can appreciate that someone in Kevin's situation may fly a little extra to gain some extra time off too. Some time ago, I would pull several doubles back to back, sleeping briefly at the airport hotel, and then fly home for a long weekend. I had it worked out for doubles on Fri/Sat and then I was home from about Sunday noon until the flight out Thursday nite. I would alternate with a trade partner and we would cover the fifth day every other week. Unlike what you guys do, I was cleaning airplanes! I guess there used to be a time in the airline business when you actually could look forward to coming to work! Don p.s. there was also a time when an airline employee had a reasonably good chance to get a seat on a plane! __________________ Fly Delta's Big Jets!

06-23-2003, 06:43 PM	#18
Yukon 880 Clipper Speedy Kitty Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anchorage, The Great State of Alaska Posts: 773	and Kevin... Kevin, Glad to hear that AA has reevaluated their position as this proposal was pure crap. If someone wants to work this kind of a deal and if they can stay alert and sharp for that many hours... more power to them. But honestly, how could they do that? Both you and Doug are in very safety sensitive vocations and I for one would support work rule changes that were reasonable and prudent in the judgement of someone that has actually performed your duties. How in the world can some Joe in DFW have a clue what your work life is like if they have not travelled and worked and done the job that you do? And yet, those are the people that are making the decisions at your company and mine and probably most others too. Safety First, then Service, if you have the time! Don __________________ Fly Delta's Big Jets!

08-21-2003, 01:32 AM	#19
virgin atlantic Senior Collector Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: oakland Age: 18 Posts: 214	i dont care i dont care what u guys say but SINGAPORE AIRLINES has the best cabin staff service. Did u guys know that these girls train for 4 months. I dont know about other airlines but the girls even learn how to dress,walk,do their hair style,nail polish, properly. This airline is the best __________________ now more than ever a great way to fly singapore airlines

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