Thread: What would you do?-QUIZ 1

Palms you certainly do have a way with words.
Let's see if anyone else checks in.

You know--there really isn't much more to say. Palms speaks volumes!!
On a side note: We recently had pax permanently lose consciousness, just after final descent, landing at JFK. We had an EMT on board and he knew pax was finished. We knew he was finished but until he was removed from the plane and declared otherwise in the jetway or ambulance, etc, he was just unconscious.

"The solution to these dilemmas is not always straightforward, and different people may handle them differently. The following, right or wrong, is how each was in fact resolved." James Wysong, FA
James is the author of the "Plane Truth:Shift Happens at 35,000 Feet" and "the Air Traveler's Survival Guide."

1. I confiscated the DVD player and returned it after the flight. The passenger took my name and employee number and promised a lawsuit. Yes, I do believe in rights — everybody's rights. Two years later, I have yet to hear of a lawsuit.

2. There was no way I could determine if this lady did indeed have MS. I kindly refused the drink, citing my responsibility to monitor onboard alcohol consumption.

3. I believe the brave flight attendant who did the investigating went beyond the call of duty. In the end, she did say something, as it had gotten to the point of making people ill. The passenger confessed but said there was nothing he could do. The flight attendant directed him to a restroom that had not been utilized, where he was able to air out his laundry more appropriately.

4. I had no problem telling the man to either put the book away or hold it more discreetly. It was a no-brainer after 9/11.

5. The knocking did not help so I unlocked the door. Conveniently, this action automatically turns off the light. The couple got the hint and curtailed their activities. My next step would have been to open the door. No, not because I am a voyeur, but because she was a screamer and the other passengers were getting annoyed.

6. I made an announcement that something valuable had been found in the forward lavatory but I omitted any description. An elderly lady came up to me almost in tears saying she had lost her money. I happily returned it, feeling guilty that I had entertained other plans for it. When she gave me a $2 reward, the guilt quickly disappeared.

7. Nothing was done until after landing, when we officially "discovered" the death. The wife, who had pretended her husband was asleep, was grateful that no spectacle had been made.

8. The purser decided to delay the bad news, which ended up being the right move. The pilots had made up much of the time in flight, and half the passengers were able to make their connections after all.

9. I greeted the passenger in a kind but firm tone, saying, "You can wear something over your shirt, turn it inside out, or get off." He quickly reversed it and said nothing the remainder of the flight.

10. I spoke to the other pilot and told him of my concern. It turned out that someone had spilled a drink on the pilot, who was willing to take an alcohol test if I so wished. There were no hard feelings, and he changed his shirt. I think both sides handled that one well.

Palms you really did very well. But you'll never get me to believe that you would have taken a "who cares" attitude with a pax that was reading a book about bomb making. No, not you, not on your flight.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (mrs767er @ Aug 26 2008, 12:30 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

On a side note: We recently had pax permanently lose consciousness, just after final descent, landing at JFK. We had an EMT on board and he knew pax was finished. We knew he was finished but until he was removed from the plane and declared otherwise in the jetway or ambulance, etc, he was just unconscious.[/b]

That&#39;s just what our author did.

7. Nothing was done until after landing, when we officially "discovered" the death. The wife, who had pretended her husband was asleep, was grateful that no spectacle had been made.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Migflanker @ Aug 24 2008, 09:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

As we all know FA&#39;s face difficult decisions everyday. Below are ten situations - How would you make the call?
Later I&#39;ll post how the FA handled the situation.
BTW, you don&#39;t have to answer all ten questions, just pick one or two, after all you&#39;re not the professional!

1. A male passenger plays a pornographic DVD on a portable player. I notice there are children within sight and that other passengers are becoming annoyed. When I ask the gentleman to please put the DVD away, he refuses, citing his personal rights. What do I do?

I politely advise him that he may either change the dvd or I will hold it until we land as he needs to behave appropriately on board.

2. A female passenger, acting strangely and smelling of alcohol, asks for another drink. I decide she&#39;s had too much already and cut her off. She informs me that she is not drunk but has multiple sclerosis and would still like that drink. Do I serve her?

I would not serve her. I would very politely advise that I am unable to serve her drinks as I am fully responsible for everything that happens on the plane.

3. On a long international flight, a first class passenger airs his intestines continuously. I mean, he passes gas big time. It gets so bad that most everyone has a tissue stuffed up his nose, and a couple of passengers are getting sick. One flight attendant decides to go on a smell hunt and tracks down the culprit. Should she say something?

Tough call. If it got to the point where others are actually getting sick, I would ask the passenger to accompany me to the galley to discuss the issue. This is very delicate and I have to admit I would be very embarrassed to discuss this one. I&#39;d do it somehow but, wow.

4. A male passenger is reading a book on how to build bombs. The title is in large print, and surrounding passengers become alarmed. Should a flight attendant do something?

I&#39;d ask him to put the book away immediately. This could be construed as a threat so he would be given no choice. Not knowing what kind of paperwork this would entail (I&#39;m not a FA) I would fill out some kind of report on the situation.

5. A couple joining the Mile High Club in one of the lavatories makes their intentions clear by vocalizing loudly. You knock on the door, hoping they will either stop or become more discreet. When they don&#39;t stop and passengers start to complain, what do you do?

What does one do? Heck, you can&#39;t exactly barge in there and tell them to stop immediately.

6. You find a roll of money on the floor of the lavatory. It carries no identification. You count it and find it totals well over $500. Your paychecks have recently been cut and you could really use that windfall. What do you do?

Hold it until we land then turn it in. Passengers often lose things on board and try to get them later.

7. A female passenger comes to the galley and tells you that her husband has just passed away. The couple knew this might happen, as the man had a serious heart condition. There are no empty seats to which he can be moved, and you know that if you report the death before landing, all the passengers will be quarantined for several hours. What do you do?

He ain&#39;t dead until the paramedics say he&#39;s dead and they can&#39;t do that until we land.

8. You are on an eight-hour flight that has been delayed for two hours due to mechanical trouble. When it finally takes off, you get a note from Operations saying that everyone on board will miss their connecting flights. Do you tell the passengers right away, knowing that everyone will be put in a foul mood, or do you wait until nearer the end of the flight? Or do you not tell them at all?

Are you crazy? There would be a revolution on board!

9. A passenger boards wearing an extremely racist T-shirt. Having had several complaints from passengers during boarding, and fearing World War III could break out in flight, what do you do — if anything?

He would be told to change or cover the slogan if he wanted to remain on this flight.

10. One of your pilots is late and boards in a hurry, smelling of alcohol. He is not acting peculiarly, but the smell is obvious. How do you handle the situation?

Honestly, I don&#39;t know what the procedure is for this. I guess I&#39;d talk to the other pilot and see what they thought.



I&#39;m interested to see what you&#39;ll come up with.... [/b]

Very good Donna....you sure you&#39;re not a flight attendant?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (29Palms @ Aug 26 2008, 02:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well, uhm, excuse me ladies and gentlemen, I know I probably failed the quiz, but this is why I turn wrenches.[/b]

Palms, as the author said, there is no right or wrong answers. The solutions are just how this FA (with 15 years experience) resolved the situations.
I&#39;ve got to tell you, my answers were very similar to yours; I&#39;d take the CD, cut off the drinks and definately not mention a word about missed connections.

Edited to add - Palms by any chance do you hear howling around your kitchen door? Ah-OOOOOOO, werewolves of London.