mickeymedic
<font color=red>Loves Off Kilter<br><font color=te
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2005
- Messages
- 1,799
As I am writing this, I think I have come to the conclusion that there is really nothing more that can be done. But I will continue as a vent anyway...
On a recent flight - my one and only experience with Southwest - I witnessed what I believed to be a couple of concerning safety violations - an open overhead bin and an unbelted flight attendant during take-off. Here's what happened:
I was seated within the first few rows of the cabin. The crew was hurrying everyone along to get seated because we needed to "get out ahead of the storm" - or at least that's what they kept announcing over the speakers. Once everyone was finally seated, we taxied rather quickly to the runway and within a few short minutes we were barreling down the runway for takeoff. However, in the rush, the flight attendants neglected to close the very front overhead bin. As we are seconds from take-off, I couldn't take my eyes off of the open bin. I kept thinking that if we banked hard, the suitcases could fall out and injure one of the passengers seated below. I wasn't the only one eyeing this open bin.
Just as we are lifting off, one of the flight attendants in the front of the plane finally noticed the open bin. She unbuckled herself and managed to close the bin as the plane was taking off. (More power to her for not falling during this...I appreciate her putting her own safety aside for the benefit of the passengers). But happened next that made me wonder. She returned to her seat and didn't bother to buckle back in - she just sat there with her arms folded across her lap, bracing herself with her feet until we were no longer climbing at a sharp angle. Now, I will admit that I have no idea what the rules and regulations are for flight attendants. So it is entirely possible that there was no reason for her to buckle back in. But it struck me as strange. I always figured that the flight attendants had all the extra harnessing to wear during take off and landing so that if something bad happened, they would be least likely to get hurt and therefore be available to assist others. By not buckling in during takeoff, I would think that if the plane had to bank sharply or make another sudden maneuver that she would become a projectile - injuring herself and possibly others.
I voiced my concern about the bin being left ajar and the unbuckled flight attendant via Southwest's website. The first email I received said that they were investigating the situation further and that they would be contacting me for more information regarding the incident. But then I heard nothing else until today. The email they sent me read, in part:
"Based upon information provided by the Flight Attendants serving Flight #2390, an overhead bin did indeed pop open shortly after takeoff from HOU. In the best interest of Passenger Safety, one of the Flight Attendants stood up to close the bin, and then returned to her jumpseat in the forward galley.
The Flight Attendants further reported that all safety protocols were followed throughout this event, and for the remainder of the flight as well. Nonetheless, please accept our apologies if you witnessed any activity onboard Flight #2390 that made you feel unsafe, or apprehensive about the Safety of others. Your comments have been taken to heart, and will be included in our monthly summary, which is distributed to Senior Leadership."
I am now incredibly annoyed because they lied. The bin didn't pop open; they never bothered to close it in the first place. I realize at this point that there is nothing to be gained by pursuing this. I don't plan to fly Southwest again (this incident has pretty much nothing to do with that decision) and I don't expect the crew to suddenly change their story. I would have liked the opportunity to speak directly with someone from Southwest about the incident. Or it would have been nice if the email they sent me was something I could reply to. But no - it was a "no-reply" email address and the email was signed with a first name only.
Thanks for letting me vent.
On a recent flight - my one and only experience with Southwest - I witnessed what I believed to be a couple of concerning safety violations - an open overhead bin and an unbelted flight attendant during take-off. Here's what happened:
I was seated within the first few rows of the cabin. The crew was hurrying everyone along to get seated because we needed to "get out ahead of the storm" - or at least that's what they kept announcing over the speakers. Once everyone was finally seated, we taxied rather quickly to the runway and within a few short minutes we were barreling down the runway for takeoff. However, in the rush, the flight attendants neglected to close the very front overhead bin. As we are seconds from take-off, I couldn't take my eyes off of the open bin. I kept thinking that if we banked hard, the suitcases could fall out and injure one of the passengers seated below. I wasn't the only one eyeing this open bin.
Just as we are lifting off, one of the flight attendants in the front of the plane finally noticed the open bin. She unbuckled herself and managed to close the bin as the plane was taking off. (More power to her for not falling during this...I appreciate her putting her own safety aside for the benefit of the passengers). But happened next that made me wonder. She returned to her seat and didn't bother to buckle back in - she just sat there with her arms folded across her lap, bracing herself with her feet until we were no longer climbing at a sharp angle. Now, I will admit that I have no idea what the rules and regulations are for flight attendants. So it is entirely possible that there was no reason for her to buckle back in. But it struck me as strange. I always figured that the flight attendants had all the extra harnessing to wear during take off and landing so that if something bad happened, they would be least likely to get hurt and therefore be available to assist others. By not buckling in during takeoff, I would think that if the plane had to bank sharply or make another sudden maneuver that she would become a projectile - injuring herself and possibly others.
I voiced my concern about the bin being left ajar and the unbuckled flight attendant via Southwest's website. The first email I received said that they were investigating the situation further and that they would be contacting me for more information regarding the incident. But then I heard nothing else until today. The email they sent me read, in part:
"Based upon information provided by the Flight Attendants serving Flight #2390, an overhead bin did indeed pop open shortly after takeoff from HOU. In the best interest of Passenger Safety, one of the Flight Attendants stood up to close the bin, and then returned to her jumpseat in the forward galley.
The Flight Attendants further reported that all safety protocols were followed throughout this event, and for the remainder of the flight as well. Nonetheless, please accept our apologies if you witnessed any activity onboard Flight #2390 that made you feel unsafe, or apprehensive about the Safety of others. Your comments have been taken to heart, and will be included in our monthly summary, which is distributed to Senior Leadership."
I am now incredibly annoyed because they lied. The bin didn't pop open; they never bothered to close it in the first place. I realize at this point that there is nothing to be gained by pursuing this. I don't plan to fly Southwest again (this incident has pretty much nothing to do with that decision) and I don't expect the crew to suddenly change their story. I would have liked the opportunity to speak directly with someone from Southwest about the incident. Or it would have been nice if the email they sent me was something I could reply to. But no - it was a "no-reply" email address and the email was signed with a first name only.
Thanks for letting me vent.
