Cabin Crew CRM
Bob Upham (uppie_at_emirates.net.ae)
Mon, 16 Jun 1997 21:45:29 +0400
It's good to see the excellent discussion on cabin crew CRM, and can really empathise with the concept of one team with safety as the goal. I was, however, particularly interested by Julian Hipwell's statement that discussion of cultural issues can be counter productive. I certainly know from limited personal experience that talking culture in a multi cultural classroom in akin to walking through a minefield of fragile sensibilities and cherished beliefs, but am frequently asked the question in this organisation as to why we do not do more education on the subject, and it has long been accepted as holy writ that we should do so. There is a simple reason that we don't do it - we don't feel qualified to handle it - yet.
Maybe we were smarter than we look by being so reticent, but I'd like to know exactly why it can be counter productive. Is it for the reasons above, or is there something that I've missed?
Ashleigh's point about treating cabin crew as an equal part of the team, and providing the same resources is extremely valid. Those of us in front of the cockpit door really have no idea of the important issues to the average flight attendant despite our efforts to cross the divide. It's certainly time we started asking.
Regards
Bob Upham
CRM Coordinator, Emirates