Respect my Authority??? (UAL)
08-04-2009 | 07:03 AM
#61
On Reserve
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 24
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It was posted on pprune.org a week or so ago. You may question the validity or accuracy of the statement, which is fine. But the FACT of the matter is:
the flight attendant in question is still on active duty and the captain in question has been temporarily suspended by UAL and the FAA, who is also investigating, has temporarily yanked his certificate. Additionally, the captain in question was just back from extended sick leave after suffering a knee injury. In all due fairness to the captain, perhaps the knee injury was bothering him so much that he became crotchety or irritable? I could understand that. But cannot understand, based only on the first-hand report, why he would divert. But I do know that, again, there are two sides to every story.
08-04-2009 | 08:33 AM
#62
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 261
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From: R U Serious?
If the captain tells you to do something you do it, as long as it isn't against SOP or a safety issue.....end of story. You also do it at a time when the captain wants it. Sure there is a place for CRM which has changed the industry for the better in my opinion, but the crew is under the authority of the captain and as such subject to his or her decisions and control.
08-04-2009 | 08:51 AM
#63
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 768
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From: Bus
Good to see a Captain have the stones to stand up and do the right thing. Captains, unfortunately have to set the example and who knows, this guy may be paving the way for others who may think twice before being disrespectful. Now I dont know the whole story, but the Captain is the final say and if the FA wasn't following orders then he has every right to divert. You might not like it or even agree with it, but that's his decision to make. The Captain is legally bound to adhere to the safety of flight and there is no disputing that. Maybe the situation was getting out of hand and then escalates? Who is in trouble then? Captain.
Now in this case you have unions and grievance procedures to somewhat keep airline mgt in line.
08-04-2009 | 09:54 AM
#64
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 590
Likes: 3
From: B777
I am not so sure the Captain has been suspended. I work for UAL flying B767's to South America and all I can say is the attitude of about 75% of our Flight Attendants SUCK! They have pi$$ poor attitudes, could stand to lose 50 lbs EACH, and just plain FLAT out should RETIRE!
The statement by the "crew member" about pilots are a Dime a Dozen and no better then John Doe really speaks volumes.....
Lets leave the issue to the Company and ALPA.
The statement by the "crew member" about pilots are a Dime a Dozen and no better then John Doe really speaks volumes.....
Lets leave the issue to the Company and ALPA.
08-04-2009 | 10:11 AM
#65
Banned
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 444
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I love when I'm sleeping and get woken up by the FA's walkin by and her BIG BUTT hits me.
08-04-2009 | 10:33 AM
#66
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 590
Likes: 3
From: B777
LOL! I know what you mean.....try taking break in First Class with them CONSTANTLY bumping into your seat. Ask them why? "we don't get a FC seat to take OUR breaks"
Whaa Whaa bunch of OLD SUSIE ROTTEN CROTCHES
08-04-2009 | 10:57 AM
#67
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 229
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From: CRJ, CR7, A320, B737
Of course, if a captain told me in the pre-brief to only call him "Captain" or "Sir," I just might have an eye problem and call in sick.
That part of the story seems hard to imagine, though I didn't fly with the widebody CA's.
That part of the story seems hard to imagine, though I didn't fly with the widebody CA's.
08-04-2009 | 11:19 AM
#68
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 590
Likes: 3
From: B777
Never ran into anyone like that, unless it was a new Captain on the LCO side. Really have trouble seeing how someone would act like that, I am sure on the the F/O's would have SPOKE up!
The story sounds like a sour grapes F/A. I have seen them NEVER call the cockpit ONCE in over a 4 hour PERIOD! and that was during an ALL nighter to South America. I have even seen them eat the Cockpit's Breakfast's!
08-04-2009 | 11:31 AM
#69
Back on TDY
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 12,487
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From: 747-400 Captain
The following entry was posted by a crew member on the UAL flight in question. Yes, there are indeed two sides to any story but here is one side of it.
These are the FACTS!!!
I was a crew member on this flight. Some of your postings are quite amusing while some are not only neanderthal in thought but scarey in reality. FYI: United Airlines is backing the Purser (a female...NOT a male) 110% as are crew (flight attendants) and the other 2 pilots on the flight. The captain did not request but demanded the CREW DECS not the GEN DECS. The Purser had completed the Gen Decs immediately after take off and passed them to the cockpit when the "bunkie" came out for his break. In fact the "bunkie" had stated that this had been the longest 4 day trip of his career. An example of what he and fellow F/O had to deal with was, they could not call this captain by his name but had to address as "Sir" or "Captain." She asked if she could send them up to the cockpit with the first round of meals (they were being cooked at the time) as she was helping in another cabin and also it was one less time to open cockpit door. Figuring we still had over 10 hours of flight time left and crew decs. are only used by us after landing to go through customs and take approx. 30 seconds to fill out...providing you can read! The captain demanded them right then. She was gathering them up to give to them when he called again (less than 1 minute after the last exchange) and screamed he wanted them NOW!! She said she was getting them. She slide them under the door and timed that they were not picked up by anyone in the cockpit for 37 minutes. She then assisted with security for 2 cockpit bathroom breaks later in the flight w/o problem and no interaction or conversation with the captain. Then while on her break, 6 hours later she was notified that the plane was landing in Miami in 40 minutes and she was being removed. The Customs Agents that met the flight were stunned that the captain diverted because he didn't get his crew decs 30 minutes after take off. We (the crew) heard the lead agent directly ask the captain, "if he realized the seriousness of landing the aircraft for such an "inane reason" and "if he couldn't have possibly handled this situation with a better solution." The captain lost it and said the Purser was looking at jail time. Well, the captain made a GRAVE error. He has been relieved of his position at United Airlines. They will NEVER trust him with a multimillion dollar aircraft and passengers again....ever. His license has been suspended by the FAA, pending further investagation. While he might have temporairly relieved the Purser of her duties, he relieved himself permanetly of his career. The Purser has not only her position, but the support of United Airlines, fellow crew members (flight attendants & pilots alike) as well as industry wide flight attendants and pilots.To those of you pilots who think that teamwork approach is a waste of time and that you should be treated like "Kings," are not only over indulged with ego but out of touch and dangerous. To begin with, respect is earned...not a given, the days of thinking fellow crew members are below you are OVER...deal with it. You're a dime a dozen...you're no more special than John Doe on the street. This Purser was not a safety threat, no FARS were violated. She has flown for 30+ years with United and is known for a spotless reputation and top notch in her position. This was a case of a Captain who wasn't fit to fly. This was his first trip back from a 4 month leave for knee surgery. He had a pronounced limp. He was more of a threat to this flight than anyone. Makes one wonder if he might have been "under the influence" while flying...one thing is for sure ...he was not psychologically or physically stable.If you still have questions email me. but deal in fact...not rumor or wishful thinking.
These are the FACTS!!!
I was a crew member on this flight. Some of your postings are quite amusing while some are not only neanderthal in thought but scarey in reality. FYI: United Airlines is backing the Purser (a female...NOT a male) 110% as are crew (flight attendants) and the other 2 pilots on the flight. The captain did not request but demanded the CREW DECS not the GEN DECS. The Purser had completed the Gen Decs immediately after take off and passed them to the cockpit when the "bunkie" came out for his break. In fact the "bunkie" had stated that this had been the longest 4 day trip of his career. An example of what he and fellow F/O had to deal with was, they could not call this captain by his name but had to address as "Sir" or "Captain." She asked if she could send them up to the cockpit with the first round of meals (they were being cooked at the time) as she was helping in another cabin and also it was one less time to open cockpit door. Figuring we still had over 10 hours of flight time left and crew decs. are only used by us after landing to go through customs and take approx. 30 seconds to fill out...providing you can read! The captain demanded them right then. She was gathering them up to give to them when he called again (less than 1 minute after the last exchange) and screamed he wanted them NOW!! She said she was getting them. She slide them under the door and timed that they were not picked up by anyone in the cockpit for 37 minutes. She then assisted with security for 2 cockpit bathroom breaks later in the flight w/o problem and no interaction or conversation with the captain. Then while on her break, 6 hours later she was notified that the plane was landing in Miami in 40 minutes and she was being removed. The Customs Agents that met the flight were stunned that the captain diverted because he didn't get his crew decs 30 minutes after take off. We (the crew) heard the lead agent directly ask the captain, "if he realized the seriousness of landing the aircraft for such an "inane reason" and "if he couldn't have possibly handled this situation with a better solution." The captain lost it and said the Purser was looking at jail time. Well, the captain made a GRAVE error. He has been relieved of his position at United Airlines. They will NEVER trust him with a multimillion dollar aircraft and passengers again....ever. His license has been suspended by the FAA, pending further investagation. While he might have temporairly relieved the Purser of her duties, he relieved himself permanetly of his career. The Purser has not only her position, but the support of United Airlines, fellow crew members (flight attendants & pilots alike) as well as industry wide flight attendants and pilots.To those of you pilots who think that teamwork approach is a waste of time and that you should be treated like "Kings," are not only over indulged with ego but out of touch and dangerous. To begin with, respect is earned...not a given, the days of thinking fellow crew members are below you are OVER...deal with it. You're a dime a dozen...you're no more special than John Doe on the street. This Purser was not a safety threat, no FARS were violated. She has flown for 30+ years with United and is known for a spotless reputation and top notch in her position. This was a case of a Captain who wasn't fit to fly. This was his first trip back from a 4 month leave for knee surgery. He had a pronounced limp. He was more of a threat to this flight than anyone. Makes one wonder if he might have been "under the influence" while flying...one thing is for sure ...he was not psychologically or physically stable.If you still have questions email me. but deal in fact...not rumor or wishful thinking.
Carl
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