Quote:
Originally Posted by wiggy
Why 2 seats in the rest compartment? Is the JS in the rest compartment certified occupiable during T/O and landing? Horizontal racks are better than any business class seat, at least on the ER. (don't know about the new lie-flat BC seats) Two racks with no seats is better than forcing the 4th guy on >12hr flights to go to a BC seat (which he can't unless it is lie-flat) or "sleep with the F/As" (especially with their seniority on international!)(well,
maybe you could on the layover if you've had enough to drink,
and you are former Navy/Marine
) I would imagine we'll give them (managmnt) relief for two racks in the existing compartment, but not for the other options. We currently have 6 or 7 ERs modified with 2 racks (and no seats) for >12hr ops. They are wonderful if you happen to get one going to Europe, much better than the reclining BC seat....thus my prejudice for anything horizontal. (I have avoided 4 pilot, >12hr trips, though) BTW, how is your rest seat on your 757s for >8hr. ops? Ours sucks....seat 1A...doesn't recline very far....half-a$$ed curtains w/ no privacy......
JS is certified for TO and landing as long as the compartment door is latched open. The vertical back of the JS is physically attached to the underside of the bunk. So yes, it will lose us a usable jumpseat.
On the 747-400 there are two bunks stacked along with a rest seat in the compartment.
On the 747-400 and the A330 the BC seats are flat but not quite horizontal. I find them to be useless for sleep, but much better than a seat in steerage class.
As I mentioned in another thread, mamagement would have to remove:
a. Rest seat
b. Jump seat
c. PED power console (120V power plug identical to the biz class seats)
Things they would have to add:
Reading lights for the lower bunk. The current lights are all ceiling mounted/above the bunk including one on a gooseneck.
Oxygen mask for the lower bunk. The current oxygen setup is from a drop down panel in the ceiling (same as passenger cabin) and would be inaccessible from the lower bunk.
Air vent for lower bunk. Current configuration - one eyeball vent above the heater control on the wall opposite the bunk.
There is another piece of equipment against the aircraft skin where a second bunk would go, I don't know what it is, but it would also have to be removed.
Bag storage for a 4th pilot. There is currently enought room in the cockpit and the rest facility for three rollaboard suitcases. Sounds like the junior FO gets to stow his bag in biz class.
Sleeping in the FA bunks is a fatigue call waiting to happen. The FA schedule would have them parading in and out of the rest area in the middle of the pilot breaks.
There are other considerations but this post is already too long.