“CAN AN AIR HOSTESS SLEEP ON DUTY?”

By K M Basheer – President, Malabar Development Forum Calicut

I would like to clarify certain points about the incident as I am getting numerous comments from the public (both positive and negative ).A few took this opportunity to abuse me for sensitising the issue through social media . Some people think that it did not respect the privacy of a woman. But I would like to clarify that my intention for publicising the issue on social media was just to invite the attention of the airline management in an issue where the safety of the travelling public has been compromised. The incident occurred on 27th March 2016 when I was travelling on board Air India flight AI 998 from Sharjah to Calicut . I have noticed that one of the senior cabin crew was sleeping in her seat at the rear side of the aircraft which is very close to one of the emergency exits. As I was carrying a tablet with me , I have taken the video of the public servant who was sleeping while she was performing a very sensitive duty directly related to the safety of the entire passengers on board. I am a frequent traveller and in many occasions I have seen this kind of scenes on Air India flights. This time I decided to bring the issue to the notice of Air India management in the interest of the safety of the travelling public. My intention was not to victimise the individual involved, but to improve the system. The job of the cabin crew during the flight is a highly responsible and safety critical. The flight crew ensure that the passengers are following safety instructions and practices meticulously inside the aircraft. Besides this cabin crew on board ensure passenger safety by preventing or managing adverse situations which may developed in the aircraft. They provide guidance to passengers on board during an emergency. They also ensure the passengers behave in a disciplined manner in the cabin. They shall be very alert and attentive all the time. Am emergency can happen any time without any warning . In the light of recent hijack incidents, the cabin crew were supposed to keep a surveillance on the passengers on board and should recognise any abnormal behaviour of passengers on board.

During the flight there can be various emergencies. Cabin crew should listen to the announcements and instructions from the pilot in command. They should also watch various visual signals issued from cock-pit and alert the passengers. Unless the cabin crew is vigil, they may not be able to discharge duty timely and efficiently.
Cabin Pressurisation failure(condition where air inside the cabin is sucked out) is a common emergency. In such situations there wont be any oxygen inside the cabin and the passenger will suffocate to death within no time. The intervention of the cabin crew is very critical during this emergency to help the passengers to fasten the oxygen mask. The pilot will carry out an emergency descent by nose diving the aircraft to a low altitude to save the lives on board. It is nevertheless to say that the cabin crews role is very critical during such emergencies to save the passengers.

In this particular incident, if she was so tired ,she should have vacated the seat near the emergency exit and should have handed over the responsibility to her fellow crew member. It was pertinent to note that AI 998 was an International flight. Since liquor was served inside the flight, many passengers were in an intoxicated state. Under the influence of alcohol , especially passengers sitting near the emergency exit may fiddle the emergency door. Such incidents have been reported in India in the recent past. In one such incident the timely intervention of the cabin crew averted a serious catastrophe. If the door is accidently opened passengers will be sucked out of the flight. Instead of realising her serious mistake and avoiding such unsafe practice, she is trying to twist the matter by registering a police complaint against me on filthy grounds. I have not outraged her modesty in any manner but only tried to sensitise the Air India management about unsafe practises going on board the flight and make the Air travel safe. Air India is our national flag carrier. These kind of safety breaches committed by certain individuals will tarnish the image of our prestigious airline.

Already Air India is in a financial crisis and our government is making all efforts to save the Maharaja by pumping taxpayer money to save it. A few years ago Air India was a real Maharaja but its market share is plunging day by day. Our government is making all efforts to keep the airline flying high We should not allow the behaviour of certain individuals to tarnish the image of our national carrier. Safety is paramount in aviation. Passengers will think twice before opting for an airline which he thinks unsafe. I never intended to target an individual in the above incident, but actions of the individual involved in the incident compelled me to take up the issue in whatever possible manner. It appears that she has not realised her mistake so far of deliration of duty.
I reported the incident immediately to the managing director of Air India through email, but no action has been taken by the Air India management. Air India officials did not even bother to contact me on this complaint nor taken any action to stop such unsafe practises. I patiently waited for 5 months thinking that Air India would take some action regarding this issue. Finally, as a responsible citizen of India, I decided to share the matter with the public on social media. The response was tremendous . It invited the attention of the mass media including officials from airline companies and the civil aviation authorities around me the world. I thank everyone for bringing the issue in the limelight including my criticisers.

Some people asked me whether it was right to operate a mobile phone inside the aircraft during flight. I would like to clarify that my mobile device was in flight mode and I have taken the video with my tablet. The rules and regulations do not prevent the use of tablets in the flight . The restriction is applicable only during take off and landing. A few others criticised that I did not respect the privacy of a woman . This allegation is absolutely baseless. The cabin inside the aircraft is not a private place to sleep. Moreover she was on official duty and she was in a seat at the rear side of the aircraft. Many people were watching her act as she was doing it in open. She was wearing official uniform. Sleeping while on duty is an offense and attracts disciplinary action as per Indian law. I have great respect for woman and no obscene elements contained in the video .Thanks to everyone one once again.