WJ jumpseat question

[fish4life]

I was just wondering something about JS on you guys. I've always tried to help cross a few seatbelts on my way out, although I heard that this is not preferred as I guess it could be a liability issue? or is that just related to cleaning out the seatbacks? Just wondering I should continue to help cross belts on my way out or just stick with the thank you at the end?

[jjj]

Fish,

Your effort is appreciated however,

If you lance yourself on a needle - you will not be covered under workers comp or anything - bad. Also, if a crew member goes by a row and sees all belts covered - they will likely assume that the seat pockets have been tidied up as well - bad as well if a bunch of junk gets left behind in the pocket.

Thanks a bunch but all you should be doing is popping by the front and saying "Thanks for the ride" to which the reply will likely be - "You're welcome and if was up to us the ride would be free."


JJJ

[fish4life]

Ok thanks a lot wasn't sure if I was helping or making it worse thanks for clearing it up. So far jumpseating with you guys has been nothing less than a pleasure you guys are doing great.

[Bede]

[quote="jjj"
If you lance yourself on a needle - you will not be covered under workers comp or anything - bad. [/quote]

You do not need to cross seatbelts, but I think the reason given above is a real stretch. Has this actually happened to anyone? Anywhere? In all the history of aviation? With a contaminated needle? I think that a risk such as that falls into the same category as being hit my a meteorite.

[neophyte]

Although I have never heard of it, I think the above example is perfectly legit. A lot of people use needles for a lot of different reasons, Bede. Have you ever seen a needle in a garbage bin and not a sharps container? I have.

Consider all of the nasty and gross things you have seen in an airplane during your career. From dirty diapers to bloody Kleenex, there are many reasons why you shouldn't help groom without the proper safety precautions in place.

Neo

[Bede]

Still a stretch in my opinion. I actually never even use gloves (which won't prevent a needle stick injury anyways). The amount of bacteria under your finger nails is in the millions. Objects you touch on a regular basis have millions of bacteria; most are harmless and the rest is why we have an immune system. Actually, if you are not exposed to enough bacteria, your body does not produce sufficient antibodies and your immune system is weakened.

[LisaS]

Still a stretch in my opinion. I actually never even use gloves (which won't prevent a needle stick injury anyways). The amount of bacteria under your finger nails is in the millions. Objects you touch on a regular basis have millions of bacteria; most are harmless and the rest is why we have an immune system. Actually, if you are not exposed to enough bacteria, your body does not produce sufficient antibodies and your immune system is weakened.

This is exactly why I never wash my hands after using the bathroom.

[whiteguy]

[quote="jjj"
If you lance yourself on a needle - you will not be covered under workers comp or anything - bad.

You do not need to cross seatbelts, but I think the reason given above is a real stretch. Has this actually happened to anyone? Anywhere? In all the history of aviation? With a contaminated needle? I think that a risk such as that falls into the same category as being hit my a meteorite.[/quote]


Yes it has happened a number of times!

[joe to go]

Bede

Back in my Jazz days, i remember being in Saskatoon and hearing of a captain that had been taken to the toontown hospital because he woke up and was stretching, arm under the piloow and felt a prick in his arm. Pulled the pillow away an voila, a needle stuck in his arm. And this was at the Hilton downtown, so it could happen, quite easily actually.

[neophyte]

BOOM goes the meteorite!

[WJ700]

The above example isn't a stretch. It was a memo in 2003. Many people use needles for MS, fertility prepping and diabetes. Twinrix should be mandatory as well, simply for this reason, and overnights in the Caribbean. Sunlife covers the cost of Twinrix.

[Jastapilot]

While I appreciate the offer to only cross seatbelts, it does mess up our mojo. A couple years ago I had some well-intentioned office people(still westjetters) go through the cabin and they must have crossed 15 rows worth of seatbelts and then left. We were about to call for boarding when someone noticed a pile of garbage hanging out one of the seat pockets, and on closer inspection we realized that every row these people did were full of garbage. We took a 15 minute delay regrooming the entire plane.

So, as much as I appreciate the offer to help out, don't worry about it, we'll take care of it!
Cheers.

[twinpratts]

+1.

[BEFAN5]

I had a flight from the west with a quick stop in YYC a month ago on Westjet... I was overly impressed with the teamwork everyone had and how quickly the cabin got prepped for the next leg. It is nice to see everyone involved in the turning around of the aircraft, and it makes the "thanks for the ride" conversation a little easier when you guys are in the back, compared to fighting the herds at the front while exiting.