Flight: Guangzhou
Date: 20th December
Today was a busy one. A group of Chinese students, who were on a field trip to Asia, was finally on their way back to their homes. With one or two 10 year olds speaking immaculate English, even translating on behalf of their teachers, their entire group was actively engaged in the latest Kung Fu Panda cartoon channel. Some were sporting out their angry bird skills on i-pad replicas. It wasn’t looking easy for any of us, looking after a huge group of youngsters, as we expected all hell to break loose once their teachers dozed off. However strangely, yet thankfully, they were pre occupied with their electronic gizmos.
Half way through this long flight, it is normal for everyone to feel tired. When that fatigue kicks in, it’s almost impossible for that instant energy drink to work. After many cups of tea and coffee still many of the crew was struggling to keep their eyes open. Some engaged in conversations, visited other cabins, saw to flight deck, anticipated passenger needs and as we passed through the dark skies, when the body clock struck 3.00 a.m, the crew were battered. On longer routes the crew does get a rest for a couple of hours, in a crew bunk, however on some occasions, if the air craft type doesn’t have a crew rest compartment-there will be allocated seats for rotational rest. It is almost impossible to stretch out a bit in peace, with the uniform on, as passengers will never hesitate to click a picture and post it on facebook, at the very moment someone falls asleep with their mouth open. Usually these areas will be marked clearly and a curtain will be drawn for privacy, however, many confused passengers do sometimes think that this is the toilet. Many times airhostesses have been woken up by people in a hurry to ease themselves, and it hasn’t been pretty.
On this special flight, as many kids were dozing off, and teachers were snoring out loud, one of the crew members walking down the aisle couldn’t help but notice that a passenger was missing. “Well, must be in the toilet, we’ll check in 10 minutes, retorted a dozy guy making himself a coffee for the umpteenth time.
“DING! DING! DING!” went the unfamiliar yet panicky smoke detection alarm. Many left their fatigue aside, and jumped up in excitement, grabbed the nearest Halon fire extinguisher and ran towards the effected lavatory. Firefighting procedures are drilled into crew heads during their annual safety exams. The fire fighter should carefully evaluate whether it’s a hot or cold door and then follow the pertinent steps. However the first to reach was the colleague who decisively “unlocked” the lavatory and sprayed on the extinguisher lavishly. He even grabbed the second fire extinguisher from the back up crew.
When finally the other crew member went in to check whether the fire was out, they found instead an extremely grumpy principal, who decided to have a quick smoke! He had passed out, because of the inhalation of Halon, and had to be given first aid. The crew member was stood down from duty for negligence, who vehemently blamed it upon the passenger (After all both of them learnt a lesson, NO SMOKING 38,000 ft above, and SITUATIONAL AWARENESS is a must, no matter how physically impossible it is at times).
After all it turned out to be an eventful flight! and no more caffeine was required.
Love,
Dany
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