Ignoring flight attendants....?

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Just Jess

The FAs actually read the safety procedures and other announcements from a script in their employee hand book. There really isn't any way of making it more interesting other than maybe using a funny voice or telling a joke beforehand to get people to pay more attention.

The number one job of a FA is to ensure the safety of the passengers, not entertain them. Many people do listen to the safety briefing. I know that I do even though I've flown many many times, it's a great way to refresh my memory and take note of the nearest emergency exits.

ethansma24

No matter how many times people have flown, we will never get away from doing the safety demo. Nor will we ever be able to say it how we want to say it. We have a handbook that we have to read from, and if we don't say it word for word...and someone from FAA is onboard...then the flight attendant can get fined for not reading it word for word. I have flown with a few people that added some humor to it. Some people appreciate it and laugh, others give you strange looks as if to say "why are you joking about serious matters?" Some things I've heard are "we are a nonsmoking airline, if you are found smoking, we will ask you to step outside" or "in case of a water landing, your seat cushion can be used as a flotation device. Please paddle to shore, and take them with our compliments." Just because you have flown and heard the safey demo 100s of times, doesn't mean the person sitting next to you has. They deserve the right to listen and pay attention.

dixie_down_under

I listen when the flight attendants are pretty.

odie b

Throw a famous person into the scenario,,,,,,,,Say something like when Danny Glover was on the plane and we showed him about the safety flotation devices that are under the seat,he said he wouldn't need one,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

If you come out first and get there attention first,,,it should carry for a little while longer than it normally does,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Even though the safety devices will never be used or eaten by a shark,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,...

Guzadog

Westjet Airlines (Canadian airline) actually makes it interesting but adding in a bit of humour and stressing the fact that, in the event of a crash, we'll all wish we listened!

I have to admit to not listening much anymore because I fly so frequently and it's always the same thing ... I do listen to where the exits are but the rest is so routine ...

poroxx

EARPHONES !...if they aren't plugged in during take-off..you are legal !

Eclipsepearl

NO! WRONG!!!

Your chances of ***surviving*** a crash are much greater than dying in one. Whatever you got those stats is mistaken. Paying attention to the safety demo or video increases your chances of getting out of a crash alive.

People have died because of stupid mistakes but this is not made public out of respect for the dead and their grieving families.

I was with the airlines for 13 years and we tried all sorts of ways to make it more appealing and watchable but the FAA doesn't give a lot of jiggle room on this subject. I think most passengers appreciate if it's as short as possible and anything to make it more flash would lengthen it.

Southwest Airlines used to put humor in theirs'. "If you are traveling with a child or someone who is acting like one..." kind of thing.

I personally think the video is better but on aircraft with individual screens, we had to get back in the aisle and do the "fashion show" as we called it.

To be honest, and this sound harsh, but whether you pay attention or not is actually your business. Just don't blabber and distract the others who do want to pay attention!

Once, while I was doing the demo, someone had goofed and put a *live* life vest in the demo kit. Yes, when I went to pull the tab-guess what happened?!?

That added a bit of pazzazz to that demo but I don't recommend it!

Trish JPA and Jewish Pastafarian

Short of increasing the IQ of the average traveler, I don't know what you'd do. Most of the people I know take note of where the emergency exits are and mentally count the number of rows.

Maybe I'm missing something, but after the 20th or 30th time that you hear the instructions, is there honestly some proven benefit to listening to them again? If there is, then that would be good, and certainly I'd be willing to listen; if it's the same except for the exits... well... what WOULD we listen for?

For instance, here I sit in my living room, not having been on a plane in roughly a year, and here is what I remember: I know that there are emergency lights that may or may not come on depending on damage to the aircraft; I know how to open the doors and to set them on the seat (although quite frankly, I'd be more likely to just pitch them OUT of the plane to get them out of the way); I know that the oxygen masks drop down, must be pulled to activate the flow, and that you put your own on first and THEN help others who need help like kids or somebody who's already passed out. I know the seat cushions make flotation devices, and that they have straps, and that the emergency chutes will float as well. I know how to go out the door, land on my butt, and slide down, and to get rid of my shoes beforehand. Is there something I'm missing?

Edit: OK - someone gave me a thumbs-down - SO TELL ME WHAT I'M MISSING!!! Otherwise - don't kvetch.

Edit 2: OK - I checked back after several minutes, and nada. I think it must be the chick from Southwest - they hate EVERYBODY.

kci_p_arch

:( our listening depends of quantity.. anyway all of flight attendants in all countries give the same instruction every time. Its like reading the same book dozen time or even more.. u know what will be next word & etc. ur instruction were interesting for me first 3 times, then i just dont need 4th time to remember where are masks and so on... so dont bother - ppl who listening for the first times they r paying their attention! they want to survive - belive me! anyway everyone checks pocket in a front of the seat for paper information,magazines & finds plan evacuation of the plane:) i familiarize with it every time i flight:)

oceanmagic

I attended International Air Academy in Vancouver, Washington, U.S.A. It is a world renowned top-notch Travel Industry Educational Institution. They train students 16+ different occupations within the travel industry, including flight attendant. They taught us to come up with our own style or develop our own special way to demonstrate the safety procedures. You MUST follow your particular airlines rules and guidelines on that as well. Each airline has their own training program. But It isn't too difficult to exaggerate your demo with gestures that suit your own sweet or perky personality. Just think of three complimentary words that people use to describe you. Then integrate those traits into body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures. If you start as you greet people as they step onto the plane, it will plant a spark of interest in the back of their minds, they wll remember you. And when the safety instructions begin, they will be looking for you and paying more attention. Just a note to frequent flyers: Never be cocky or overly confident about what you think you know. Even the most stable and well versed people have glitched or froze in the face of a crisis, or impending danger. One can never be overly prepared.

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