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#450022 by Denzil
07 Aug 2008, 00:20
Makes for a more reliable system. Comparing the number of defects between two airlines using the same system (Panasonic 3000E), the airline that doesn't turn it off (EK) has far fewer defects than VS.
#450023 by slinky09
07 Aug 2008, 00:29
Originally posted by virginboy747
1 hr 15 is ridiculously early to turn it off. 30 - 35 mins is just about right.


I suppose there is a potential defence here - sometimes when landing into LHR or elsewhere the initial approach looks good and an ETA is forecast against which the CC secure the cabin, then there's a stack or a hold?
#450027 by virginboy747
07 Aug 2008, 10:00
But the odyssey system has a tendency to overheat and that is when it goes wrong and screens start to freeze. The engineers have asked us to turn the whole system off prior to landing so it gets a chance to cool down during turnaround.
And you're right slinky09 we have to work on the ETA given to us by the F/D. Last week we were coming in from MCO and atc gave us a quicker route in, cutting 10 mins off the approach. You can imagine the fun we had trying to secure as the landing gear was coming down. Just made it in time!
#450031 by dom_f
07 Aug 2008, 11:47
Last week we were coming in from MCO and atc gave us a quicker route in, cutting 10 mins off the approach. You can imagine the fun we had trying to secure as the landing gear was coming down. Just made it in time!


Just curious if you hadn't made it in time does someone get the fun job of telling the Captain the cabin isn't ready? I only ask as I remember a bunch of years ago (2000?) watching a member of crew just click their seatbelt as the wheels touched... That was cutting it fine.
#450034 by virginboy747
07 Aug 2008, 12:21
I have to let the captain know when the cabin is secure. He gives a signal to ask if the cabin is ready and if he doesn't get a reply then he cant proceed with the approach and has to prepare to circle until we are ready. That's why life is so much easier if pax compy with what we ask them to do (removing blankets, switching off ipods, seats upright etc) The quicker we#re secure, the quicker we'll land! All crew should be seated by the time the landing gear goes down.
#451260 by bubblesqueaker
22 Aug 2008, 00:22
random question but...

why do VA make you put down your blind in flight? I have flew loads of overnights and VA are the only ones who make you put it down. Really frustrates me as I love looking out the window (ok I know sometimes you cant see much) but why not be given the choice?
#451263 by daharris
22 Aug 2008, 00:42
why do VA make you put down your blind in flight? I have flew loads of overnights and VA are the only ones who make you put it down. Really frustrates me as I love looking out the window (ok I know sometimes you cant see much) but why not be given the choice?


Don't get me started...

Seriously though, on the VS and BA flights I've done back from Barbados I've never been asked to put my blind down - not that there's anything worth seeing anyway. Daytime flight back from Singapore and blinds were down most of the way...
#451281 by virginboy747
22 Aug 2008, 11:11
We cant make you put your blind down, it's just a request. Usually will be when it's going to get light a few hours before we land and is a courtesy toensure pax get as much sleep as possible. There's nothing like direct sunlight on your face to wake you up.
#451322 by bubblesqueaker
22 Aug 2008, 16:49
thanks. Im a really bad flyer and seeing what is going on - even if we are just in clouds or whatever helps me settle a bit. [:D]
#451444 by vizbiz
24 Aug 2008, 20:42
Originally posted by virginboy747
We cant make you put your blind down, it's just a request. Usually will be when it's going to get light a few hours before we land and is a courtesy toensure pax get as much sleep as possible. There's nothing like direct sunlight on your face to wake you up.


Every time it happens to me, which is pretty well every flight with an element of darkness it is delivered as an instruction/request I must comply with[V].
#451446 by dom_f
24 Aug 2008, 21:31
So - just to prove it's not always the same the IFE was on till after landing on VS19 last Sunday (17th August). We did a go around and got to see the route we took for the 2nd approach.


Dom
#451452 by virginboy747
24 Aug 2008, 23:31
oops they forgot to turn it off, I've done that a couple of times!
#451469 by ilikebluesmarties
25 Aug 2008, 11:29
Originally posted by virginboy747
Can you tell me which ones, and I'll see if I know anyone who works for them and ask them why they're allowed to keep their IFE on. I know that us, BA, Frist Choice and Thomson have to turn ours off, but anyone got any experience with other UK carriers? I'll email our safety department to clarify and let you know what they come back with.

sorry about the late reply
That would be Thomsonfly and First Choice[:)]

Speak to me if you like [:p]
At Thomsonfly we are actually not allowed to switch power off to the IFE at anytime and if we do are threatened with death(near enough)

We do have the facility to turn the movies/games/Map off though however at this stage music is then switched on so to a degree you are right IFE is off but part of it- music is still on- over the PA (and a distraction in my personal opinion)
#451489 by virginboy747
25 Aug 2008, 13:47
I flew first choice to turkey last month and they turned theirs off when the seatbelt sign came on and made sure everyone had removed their headphones.

At thomsonfly are pax alowed to keep headphones on for landing, cause I think this is the issue at virgin. I dont think the problem is having the screens on, it's pax wearing headphones that would impede their exit in an emergency.
#451499 by ilikebluesmarties
25 Aug 2008, 15:24
Ah, wires crossed, i'm only comparing long haul with the seatback IFE. Headfones off for both airlines but landing music played on 767's
#456485 by McMaddog
09 Oct 2008, 14:44
Sorry to bring up an old thread however I thought this was relevant. Air NZ are now advertising that you can use the IFE throughout the ENTIRE flight link

edited to provide a much better page link inspired by Sealink
#456498 by virginboy747
09 Oct 2008, 18:57
Yep ANZ have done special evacuation and safety drills for their aviation authority in order to give them the licence to have their IFE on at all times.
#456499 by McMaddog
09 Oct 2008, 19:04
The thing I find interesting here is that they patently think that they will get extra sales as a direct result of this feature
#456500 by Decker
09 Oct 2008, 19:14
Well they patently think it will act as a differentiator in a competitive marketplace [;)]
#456527 by RobL
10 Oct 2008, 04:12
Both QF and DJ allow you to use the IFE from gate to gate. Although on QF its only the radio channels available during take off and landing.

The mobile phone difference is because QF use jetways and DJ use both jetways and steps (rear entry) and I think the rule is no mobiles on the tarmac.
#456537 by Badhorsey
10 Oct 2008, 11:01
Well condsider this:

Did Han Solo turn off the holographic chess set 1hr 15mins before the Millennium Falcon arrived at Alderaan? Nope. And he didn't even make his pax wear seatbelts.
#456544 by DarkAuror
10 Oct 2008, 12:56
Originally posted by Badhorsey
Well condsider this:

Did Han Solo turn off the holographic chess set 1hr 15mins before the Millennium Falcon arrived at Alderaan? Nope. And he didn't even make his pax wear seatbelts.


Only on take-off from Mos Eisley. [;)]
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