Posted on 07/14/2019 11:18:51 PM PDT by libh8er
In an interesting turn of events, a cabin chief at Korean Air denied a captain access to alcohol during the flight. However, after reporting the incident, the cabin chief received a punishment in the form of a demotion. Here is the story.
The events
Multiple events transpired before Korean Air disciplined the cabin chief. This story, as reported by One Mile At A Time, is shocking since there seems to be a legitimate concern of passenger safety. The events started while on the ground.
Pre-departure
Many airlines serve pre-departure beverages in premium cabins. These are usually options such as juice, water, and champagne.
The captain reportedly attempted to take a glass of champagne. His efforts were impeded by a member of the cabin crew. After this denial, the captain reportedly asked for alcohol to be served in a paper cup rather than proper glassware. Ultimately, glassware isn’t the issue. Alcohol and crew duties tend not to mix well.
In-flight
During the long-haul trek from Seoul to Amsterdam, the captain decided to try again for a glass of wine. Again, a cabin crew member refused this request. However, in this case, the crewmember reported the case to the cabin chief.
The cabin chief then had a word with all the crew onboard the aircraft. This move is not entirely unwise, since the captain could make the request again which could be obliged by a different crew member. Most importantly, the cabin chief asked for secrecy as the captain likely would not appreciate this plan. Unfortunately, this ended up being the case.
Altercation The co-pilot told the captain about the cabin chief’s actions. This led to some anger flaring as the pilots and the cabin chief got into a bit of an argument, since each side had a different story. Fortunately, the aircraft landed safely in Amsterdam with all members of crew and staff unharmed.
After landing
The cabin chief filed a complaint about the captain’s actions. Except, this action was taken using Korean’s anonymous online message board. Korean Air then investigated and called in both parties for a resolution.
The outcome
The captain received a verbal warning. Meanwhile, the cabin chief ended up with a demotion due to disrupting the onboard experience with such a scuffle. There most definitely may have been an issue tied to Korean cultural norms. Typically, yielding to higher authority figures is encouraged. In this case, the cabin chief did not comply with the request. For reference, here is a post on Korean Air’s Instagram account detailing table etiquette:
Tungil!
There most definitely may have been an issue tied to Korean cultural norms. Typically, yielding to higher authority figures is encouraged.
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And this “cultural norm” has caused at least one fatal commercial airplane crash that I’m aware of.
The cultural difference of authority in the cockpit is real. I do not believe one dam thing about alcohol consumption. Those Airlines do not want impaired pilots nor crew.
Lousy airline. Hot stewardi though.
They’re not called “Collision Air” for nothing.
Captain-as-dictator cockpit culture is responsible for two KAL accidents I can think of (Agana, Guam and Stansted, UK) — supposedly remedied when they brought in dozens of native English-speaking Captains to change the cockpit culture.
Or maybe not.
“Cultural difference of authority in the cockpit is real. I do not believe one dam thing about alcohol consumption. Those Airlines do not want impaired pilots nor crew.”
Asiana Airlines crashed a perfectly good aircraft in
San Francisco a few years ago. If this was an USA Flagged ship the co-pilot would have assumed control before it all went to hell. This crash was a result of “culture in the cockpit! It was a Korean ship. The captain is a god in that culture. Our crews as most crews of many know when to assume authority, this does not exist in some other cultures. In fact the second in command can assume command if warranted and thus he is the command pilot. He better be right or he will lose his ass later.
It does exist in training but sadly the culture sometimes is greater than the training, thus the horrible crash but gladly with little lose of life.
Remind me to never fly on Korean Air
Malcolm Gladwell wrote about this sort of thing in, I believe “Tipping Point”.
Korea is not unique, but is a prime example of a cultural problem. Cockpit recorders reveal quite a few crashes are caused by pilots who may be tired or inexperienced on a particular route. The co-pilot will sometimes speak up, giving advice which is absolutely on target. The pilot will ignore or dispute this advice. The attitude is often, “Shut up. I’m the pilot. You are nobody.” And then they crash.
Airlines are supposed to train against such cultural norms, but they run deep.
PING
Malcolm Gladwell wrote about this sort of thing in, I believe “Tipping Point”.
Korea is not unique, but is a prime example of a cultural problem. Cockpit recorders reveal quite a few crashes are caused by pilots who may be tired or inexperienced on a particular route.
The co-pilot will sometimes speak up, giving advice which is absolutely on target. The pilot will ignore or dispute this advice. The attitude is often, “Shut up. I’m the pilot. You are nobody.” And then they crash.
Airlines are supposed to train against such cultural norms, but they run deep.
Pilot: I want dlink
Attendant: If dlink, you dink!
Pilot: Gimme dlink!
Attendant: No dlink, you stink !
When you go to dinner with Koreans, whoever is oldest gets lavished with attention. Their drinks are always topped off by the others. Of course, the elders are also expected to pay....
Never deny a Korean their alcohol.
[The attitude is often, “Shut up. I’m the pilot. You are nobody.” And then they crash.]
KLM, Tenerife, 1977.
Departure clearance, no takeoff clearance.
We’re going! (yeah, to die along with killing about 576 other people)
AND he was KLM’s “safety guy”.
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