12 月 1 日より、ユナイテッド航空では機内サービスを現在より早めに終了する予定です。
着陸態勢で高度１万フィートに達した時点でダブルチャイムが鳴ります。
Attendants, please prepare for landing.（客室乗務員は着陸の準備を）
…という、いつもの機長の PA が入った時点で、
・機内サービス品、コップその他の回収
・ゴミの回収（座席ポケットに突っ込まず、ご協力をお願いします）
・荷物は収納して座席の下か頭上の荷物入れへ
・ノート PC の使用は禁止、収納。
その他、以前は着陸 10 分前にこなしていた着陸準備が、今度から高度１万フィートで実施されます。
これは客室乗務員の安全を確保するための取り組みだそうです。
ユナイテッド乗りの毒者のみなさんも、ご協力ください。
【記事後悔後かなり経って追記】
UA837/838で成田往復してきましたが、気流の状態もあってか、タッチダウン 30 分前くらいにサービス終了していました。ラップアップした時の高度は２万フィート以上。かなり早めにサービスを切り上げるようになりました。おかげで、寝込んで着陸前のメシを逃した PAX は、コーヒーさえ飲みきる前に取り上げられる始末。(笑)
United Airlines' decision to end inflight services earlier, starting December 1st, is likely part of a movement in the aviation industry towards enhancing operational safety and efficiency. It appears that, as a result of this change, preparations for landing will now begin when the aircraft reaches an altitude of 10,000 feet, aimed at ensuring the safety of the cabin crew and allowing more time for pre-landing preparations.
ReplyDeleteWhile I cannot make comparisons with other airlines, I surmise that this trend of ending services earlier might be prevalent across the aviation industry. I plan to check this on my upcoming round trip from Itami to Naha with JAL next week.
For many airlines, starting landing preparations earlier could create a safer environment for the crew and offer a more comfortable landing experience for passengers, especially under challenging weather conditions or other operational constraints.
However, for passengers, this could mean a reduction in inflight service time, potentially impacting those on short-haul flights the most. An early end to services might particularly affect business and first-class passengers by shortening their relaxation or work time onboard.
Overall, this change, while prioritizing crew safety and operational efficiency, may also impact the inflight experience of passengers. United Airlines, like others in the industry, will likely be called upon to further balance safety and service in the future.
Yamada Denki sensei,
DeleteUnited Airlines is severely controlled by their workers’ union. Therefore I call:
“of the Union, by the Union, for the Union.”
I usually dislike it but this is a kinda exception. Attendants’ safety is important.
Earlier ending service also gives earlier seatbelt preparation… it’s a bit annoying since Polaris seats equipped with 3-points belt and it harms my shoulder.
§
Quick note: please expect two jars of Kame-Shizuku arriving on December 6 as oseibo. Please share one of those with Dr. Doi, and have a great year-end to new-year season. I’ll be visiting Japan to see my mom from tomorrow, coming back California on 6th of December.
I'm not very familiar with the workers' union of United Airlines, but when I searched the internet, I came across the following past article:
ReplyDeleteUnited Airlines unreasonably fired Japanese flight attendants who were members of a Japanese union and were hired in Japan. The company's management was doing extremely well, achieving record profits, and in the U.S., they were continuing to significantly raise the salaries of all flight attendants and hire over 3,000 new employees. This dismissal, based on union and national discrimination, is clearly an unfair labor practice.
United Airlines excuses itself by saying, "This dismissal was carried out by the former Continental Micronesia Airlines before the merger," but it was undoubtedly United Airlines that took away our jobs and created a surplus of staff.
The approach of United Airlines, which, like President Trump advocates, respects only U.S. union members to protect U.S. employment and disregards the right to life of others, is not acceptable and is clearly a violation of labor laws in Japan and also in the U.S.
According to you, it's "of the Union, by the Union, for the Union." Does the term "Union" here mainly refer to the "U.S. union members"?
I also believe that improving the working environment, including the safety of cabin crew, is important. However, in United's case, it probably goes "U.S. Union > Top Customers > Other Country Unions > Ordinary (?) Passengers."
Wow! Two more jars of Kame-Shizuku are arriving as a year-end gift!? Is this perhaps thanks to that Salon 2012 I sent you? (lol) Joking aside, I will certainly pass one of them to Dr. Doi. It seems like it will be a wonderful end-of-year and new-year season.
You're coming to Japan to see your mother tomorrow and returning to California on December 6th, right? If it weren't for my keynote speech "The Current State of Constipation Treatment in General Internal Medicine Practice - Considering the Appropriate Use of Linaclotide" at the Okayama Prefecture Internal Medicine Association Academic Lecture on November 25 (Sat), or at least if the 51st Prospects in Internal Medicine "Interdisciplinary Medicine Around Lifestyle-Related Diseases: Understanding Pathology and Advances in Treatment" weren't being held on December 3 (Sun) in Naha, I could have gone to Tokyo too.
I'm looking forward to the next opportunity. Have a wonderful visit to Japan!
Sorry for the irrelevant content as usual.
ReplyDeleteThis morning, an exciting present arrived at our clinic.
First, we received some famous sweets from abroad. Their sweetness seems to be addictive, and when my wife distributed them among the staff, everyone started eating them, neglecting their work, which caused a bit of disruption in our examinations and treatments (lol).
Next, I got a Puma Hooded Sweat Jacket with The BMW M motorsport logo on it! If an old man with white hair like me arrives in front of JR Okayama Station in my M850i, I'm sure I'll be a laughing stock... but it's probably better than a 'Congratulations Hanshin Tigers for being Japan's No. 1!' logo (lol again).
Lastly, we received a Broman 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon. I plan to store it in the deepest part of my home cellar and open it for a special event.
With thanks for the memorable gifts, I pray for a happy reunion with your mother, your sister, and your friends.
Midori/Mitsuru ← Listed in Western order (embarrassed lol)
I'm borrowing this comment space again.
ReplyDeleteHave you returned to the United States by now? I pray for your safe journey.
Just a moment ago, two bottles of "Arigato" labeled Kame Shizuku 1800ml, 20% alcohol, arrived at the clinic, part of a limited edition of only 30 bottles per month. We received them indeed, and I have already passed one to Dr. Doi.
With the "Thank You" label, it is we who should be expressing our gratitude to you, and both of us are deeply humbled. While Dr. Doi's "obaKoba Collection" is still full, my collection of the same name had been empty for quite some time. Out of necessity, I've been making do with reasonably priced potato, barley, and rice shochu from a discount liquor store on my commute. So, this arrival is incredibly timely (lol). Tonight, I look forward to enjoying it on the rocks or as a chilled straight drink.
Unfortunately, we couldn't meet during your recent visit to Japan, but I hope to come to Tokyo the next time you're there. Although we both are at an age where even calling ourselves "around 60" seems modest, I believe in embracing physical decline while keeping a positive mindset. I pray for both of us to enjoy what we call a "healthy lifespan" for as long as possible.
Lastly, "Thank you!"
from Akira/Mitsuru
Dear Yamada Denki sensei,
DeleteSorry for my silence. I didn’t have good reception for my iPad until now… and am at United Club in Narita, waiting for the boarding.
I’m glad to hear Dr. Doi and you prefer those Shochu in jars, as well as your wife-san delighted to have Turkish sweets - Lokum and Mazipan.
I’ll be back in the end May, and the first weekend will be your birthday so hopefully we can celebrate your birthday together. Until then, please take cere dear selves and stay in touch.
Ah, I see, the reception for your iPad at your family home in Chiba must have been poor. But I suppose the reception at United Club in Narita Airport is much better. Your boarding time must be approaching soon; I am confident you will have a safe return journey.
ReplyDeleteDr. Doi and I both share a love for shochu (though he prefers sweet potato shochu), so we are both delighted. Moreover, it seems my wife and our clinic staff have become quite fond of the Turkish sweets. They might not remember the individual names like Lokum or Marzipan, but they certainly remember their decadent sweetness.
So, you're planning to return to Japan at the end of next May, and that first weekend will be my sixty-sixth birthday (though it sounds like I'm talking about someone else). It's hard to guess how many more times I'll be able to celebrate my birthday like this, but I hope to take care of myself until then, stay in touch with you, and look forward to our reunion. For that, I also wish for your 'healthspan' to be extended.
Have a wonderful Christmas season!