RE: Outstanding customer service = airline safety.

Elliott, Kim (Kim_Elliott_at_sterling.com)
Fri, 25 Sep 1998 14:54:04 -0500

Unfortunately this is true. Not enough safety inspectors. The airlines
should take some of the responsibility for the added pressure to these
inspectors. By this, I mean the airlines need to stand behind the
training they give to the flight attendants and monitor the way this
training is used. Example: I was on an American Airlines flight last
summer to LAX and did NOT get a safety briefing until the aircraft was
at or about 10K feet. There is simply NO EXCUSE for that.
By the same token, in training they learn to turn the lights "down"
without being given the reason for doing it. I once ask a flight
attendant why they turned the lights in the cabin off during the day
when the sun is shinning bright. Her response was "because that's what
they taught me in training".
On another flight, I was on an A/C that had a gate delay. My cellular
phone rang. The lead flight attendant approached me to inform me "it is
an FAA regulation that you cannot use that(mine) phone" I ask all of
you----are we now confusing the FAA with the FCC?
And we wonder why passengers are getting out of hand? I'm not
commending their conduct by any means.
If flight attendants are uninformed and pass on information that is not
correct, then the public begins to think that they,
the flight attendants, are complete idiots and can be bullied.
It all starts with training then moves on to a continuation of awareness
and then to teamwork. Get the captain to call the tower to get patched
through to the local Federal Air Marshall Office. Press this issue, get
these people arrested, and then see it through. Make examples of these
irate passengers and raise public awareness. Show them that the flight
attendants are here for their safety-not to be their punching bags. As
long as we, as crew members, continue to let this occur them it will.
I'll get off my soap box, now!! :)

Regards,
Kim

-----Original Message-----
From: meismsp [mailto:meismsp_at_gateway.net]
Sent: Wednesday, September 23, 1998 10:16 PM
To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
Subject: Re: Outstanding customer service = airline safety.

Am I correct in understanding the FAA, by doubling the number of
existing
cabin inspectors, will bring this total to 30???? This number seems to
be
a fraction of the number truely required to carry out the tasks required
of
the inspectors.

The press release states each inspector will focus on the FAA's cabin
safety initiatives including passenger interference with crews (a topic
of
great importance lately), carry-on baggage, seat belt discipline,
turbulence related injuries, and child restraint systems. It goes on to
say each inspector will heighten focus on flight attendant
training,...exit
row seating programs, crew coordination, etc. In addition, each will be
a
part of the team transitioning new aircraft into service and will
continue
to ensure established procedures comply with company policy, Federal
Regulations, good safety practices, and aircraft manuals. Whew. These
people are going to be very, very busy.

As if that weren't enough, the part I find hard to believe is the
statement
"...these cabin safety inspectors have been fully trained on carrier
procedures...of each individual carrier." I don't see how it is
possible
for 30 inspectors to be fully trained on the emergency procedure of
every
carrier. Even if it is only the major airlines of the US, I don't feel
30
inspectors is enough to accomplish the stated goals and duties.

Shane Meisner
----------
> From: Mark Peacox <ib_at_mindless.com>
> To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
> Subject: Re: Outstanding customer service = airline safety.
> Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 11:02 AM
>
>
> > From: Riddely_at_aol.com
> > To: crm-devel_at_db.erau.edu
> > Subject: Fwd: Outstanding customer service = airline safety.
> > Date: Thursday, September 17, 1998 5:24 AM
>
> Here's an interesting and timely development:
>
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> APA 110-98
> September 17, 1998
> Contact: Kathryn B. Creedy
> Phone: 202-267-8521
>
> FAA Doubles Cabin Safety Inspection Staff
>
> WASHINGTON- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
> doubled the number of cabin safety inspectors, assigning one for
> the first time to each of the major carriers in the United States.
> This action is part of the agency's Safer Skies safety agenda and
> specifically targets important cabin safety issues.
>
> Two years ago, cabin safety inspectors numbered approximately
> 15. Today, the FAA is in the process of continued hiring to more
> than double the number of inspectors. This allows increased
> focus on the FAA's cabin safety initiatives including passenger
> interference with crews, carry-on baggage issues, ensuring seat
> belt discipline to prevent turbulence-related injuries, and the use of

> child restraint systems.
>
> Keeping with the changes of the recently announced Air
> Transportation Oversight System, these cabin safety inspectors
> have been fully trained on carrier procedures to better enforce
> compliance with not only the federal aviation regulations, but also
> the safety procedures and systems of each individual carrier.
>
> The inspectors will heighten focus on flight attendant training and
> procedures, including emergency evacuations, inflight fires,
> passenger injuries and illness, exit row seating programs, ground
> emergency procedures, and crew coordination. They also will be
> an integral part of the team transitioning new aircraft into service
> with air carriers. They will continue to ensure that the procedures
> established for these aircraft are consistent with good safety
> practices, and comply with federal aviation regulations and the
> aircraft manuals.
>
> Requirements for these inspectors include three years of flight
> attendant experience plus one year of experience as an
> emergency procedures instructor.
>
> # # #
>
> An electronic version of this news release is available via
> the World Wide Web at: www.faa.gov