Because in between F - bombs he mentioned it to the Airways ramp guy sitting next to me who was commuting to clt from a work stretch in DC. Ramp guy was trying to get him to act like a man and an adult to no avail.

 

Good morning, Timbo.. Most FAs hate being put on the position but it's drilled into us at training that NO ONE gets up during aircraft movement. Puts us in a bad spot, either way. If you ignore it, and someone gets hurt or hurts someone else during a short stop, (which I've seen happen) FAs have explaining to do. If we tell 'em to sit down, a nasty letter usually ensues. BTW, I've seen this on foreign carriers (i.e. LH) where FAs yelled at a young passenger to stay seated. Poor girl was nearly in tears and thought they were being mean to her.

Unfortunately, pax don't understand we're just doing our job and aren't the ones who made the rules. This is why I always explain (nicely, of course!) to someone questioning a FAR that it's just that and not us arbitrarily trying to make their lives miserable. Most people understand and are sympathetic to it but there are always the clowns who don't buy it. sigh....

 

I'm just amazed the NTSB allows bus and train passengers to be up in the aisles all the time, anytime, and many of those vehicles don't even have seatbelts.

Look at school buses for instance. They flip over with kids on board all the time, but where's the NTSB to require seatbelts and a B/A, to yell at the kids to please be seated while the bus is in motion?

 

BTW, I imagine we've all pulled out of line at one time or another because a passenger was having a biological emergency. I get paid by the minute ... it's all good to me.

 

Oh boy....you just reminded me of a funny story of a passenger who has known-digestive problems but thought it was a swell idea to eat a burrito in the terminal right before departure. Oh, the fun that ensued on THAT one! I was sooo glad I was working aft position but felt bad for the front FA AND pilots who nearly had to don their oxygen masks for about 30 minutes while we pulled in and out of the line! Apparently, other pilots were wondering what the issue was and hilarity ensured when they told them.

 

Must have been one of the members of the “Flying Burrito Brothers” music group.

 

AFAIK the NTSB has nothing to do with rules governing aviation. All the "fun" rules/regs are courtesy of the FAA.

 

Oh do tell me more about how hard it is to be a flight attendant!

 

Love you too, sweetie!!

 

Since you like regulations LNL, I've provided a neat little summary for you. This is an ACOB, or Air Carrier Operations Bulletin, and provides and explanation for the "regs" and your duties to "inform". There is no "enforcement", nor should there be. Your liabilities end after inform. If a passenger disobeys any sign or crew instructions and is hurt as a consequence, you can sleep tight knowing no one will fault you.

And Timbo, here lies guidance for your questions, as well as that for many other PIC that feel the aircraft MUST BE STOPPED because a passenger got up for any reason:


228. AIR CARRIER OPERATIONS BULLETIN NO. 1-94-27

PASSENGER SEATBELT DISCIPLINE

(Formerly Air Carrier Operations Bulletin No. 1-93-1).

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is concerned about passengers unfastening their seatbelts when the seatbelt sign is illuminated. The Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR) require air carriers to illuminate the seatbelt sign before movement on the surface, during takeoff, landing, or when in the judgment of the pilot-in-command it should be illuminated.

a. When the seatbelt sign is turned on, crewmembers should make an announcement. The announcement should advise passengers that when the seatbelt sign is illuminated, Federal regulations require passengers to fasten their seatbelts. In addition, as long as the sign is illuminated, crewmembers should periodically remind passengers that the seatbelt sign is lighted. Additional and forceful announcements should be made if passengers stand and the seatbelt sign is illuminated. This is especially true during turbulent air operations.

b. Many passengers regard the illumination of the seatbelt sign prior to landing as a signal to prepare for landing by going to the lavatory, standing, or stowing baggage. This is not a safe practice. Some crewmembers have adopted the practice of making an announcement prior to turning on the seatbelt sign for landing. They announce that the flight will be landing shortly, now is the time to go to the lavatory or move about the cabin, and once the seatbelt sign is illuminated, passengers should be in their seats with their belts fastened. This is a desirable practice.

c. Illumination of the seatbelt sign prior to aircraft movement on the surface has only recently been added to the FAR. Nevertheless, historically most airlines ensured passengers were seated during movement on the surface; however, during the 1980’s, at least one airline allowed its aircraft to be taxied with passengers standing. The FAA Administrator defined this practice as a careless and reckless operation. Violations were filed and upheld. Therefore, the FAA incorporated into the FAR the requirement that the seatbelt sign must be turned on prior to movement on the surface. This does not mean that pilots must stop an aircraft when a passenger stands. Pilots must weigh the safety alternatives before determining if it is appropriate to stop an airplane because a passenger has stood up during taxi. Pilots may elect to stop the aircraft when it is pulling up to a gate and several passengers stand. However, there may be other times when stopping aircraft could cause a more serious safety problem.

d. The regulations do not require all passengers to be seated before the passenger loading door is closed. Requiring passengers to be seated before the passenger loading door is closed is one way air carriers have chosen to obtain passenger compliance with the lighted seatbelt sign. This is a good practice, but not one that is required.

e. Crewmembers must give an announcement when the seatbelt sign is turned off inflight that passengers should keep their seatbelts fastened when seated. The requirement for this announcement should be emphasized. In addition, air carriers should be encouraged to establish additional procedures to emphasize the importance of passengers wearing their seatbelts at all times when seated. These procedures could include additional announcements, video presentations, and articles in air carrier publications or pamphlets in seat pockets.

f. Principal operations inspectors (POI) are requested to ensure that their assigned air carriers are aware of the material in this bulletin and have procedures which ensure that passenger seatbelt announcements and discipline comply with this information. In addition, POI’s should encourage air carriers to use announcement techniques that serve to forewarn passengers of pending situations that will require them to comply with the seatbelt sign when it is illuminated. Examples of these situations include expected turbulence and approaching destination. These techniques should be designed to preclude any passenger movement once the seatbelt sign is illuminated.