Originally Posted by
IrishTiger
Do any CA's let their F/O's mess with the seatbelt sign? At cruise, if it's smooth and he/she still has the sign on, sometimes I will ask if we could turn it off (I figured the CA probably just forgot about it). I've had a couple captains that have told me the seatbelt sign is my choice, since it's my leg. Or something like that.
I've also had some that tell me "It's their switch, don't touch it." Either way I respect them, and just do what they ask. A lot of our pilots never turn it off, which drives me crazy. There ARE people who try to obey the sign, and that might need to use the restroom.
Good point and good post.
Having seen this one play out in Court several times (as an Expert for the defense) ... if there are PIREPS for turbulence, or good reason to believe the area could be turbulent, the difference between ON and OFF is between five and eight times the damages that would have been awarded if the seat belt switch is in the position which makes the most sense to the jury.