Pgtravel From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 444 posts, RR: 4 Posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 4819 times:
I had the chance to spend yesterday afternoon with the folks at LiveTV. They showed me the new system that CO will be getting onboard, and it's just awesome. There will be 80 channels of tv, a program guide (like on cable boxes at home), and a bigger 8" screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio (widescreen). Unfortunately, they would let me take pics while I was there, but it'll be on its first CO plane (a 739) around the 1st of the year.
PanAm330 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 2510 posts, RR: 13 Reply 1, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 9 hours ago) and read 4637 times:
Very nifty. I wonder if B6 will follow suit and progressively install this newer system in their planes as they come due for heavy checks.
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 4856 posts, RR: 13 Reply 2, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 8 hours ago) and read 4595 times:
Will CO be charging for this service?
As a Silver, I kinda hope not...
Ikramerica From United States of America, joined exactly 7 years ago today! , 20630 posts, RR: 62 Reply 3, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4450 times:
Let's hope their new system works better than others.
Been on JetBlue where 1/2 the channels were out. Other times it was fine.
Been on VX, where most of the channels were out. Every flight on the west coast.
I was on DL's 763 with DishNetwork last night out of Atlanta, and the upper 6 channels weren't working. At first, no channels but FX were working, as they were listed as not subscribed (suggesting you call to activate them). A very snotty, spikey haired old hag running the show in First (I'm generally nice to people and don't call them names, but she was just AWEFUL and should be fired for her attitude, not in charge of the crew), who knows nothing about technology but believed she knew everything, said that somehow each individual seat could have this error (despite the whole plane having it). They reset the system once, and said they can only do so once, and that's it. After resetting, only the top 6 were still dead.
Which of course included ESPN. Which meant that there was no monday night football last night. The AVOD system worked fine, but the TV was just screwed up.
When, after the full reset (interesting to watch, as the lights go off and it takes 5 minutes) I told the head F/A that "ESPN is still not working" she just snapped back "it's just yours, every other unit is working" and "ESPN doesn't work out of Atlanta, but will come back later". Of course, none of my neighbors could get ESPN either and it was off the whole flight (as was ESPN2, ESPN News, etc.), and since I've installed DishNetwork systems in the past, I do know what needs to be done (turn off receiver, turn on, if not solved, REPEAT, and finally call them as a last resort). She never bothered to ask the Captain if he could reset the system, or contact DL center to notify DishNetwork (who could fix it instantly if told about it). Because she knew best. Even other F/As were rolling their eyes at her, because they must have had to deal with her attitude on many other flights. And of course many customers paid the fee for headphones (small fee, but not free) on the pretext that ESPN would be working, and then it wasn't.
Which leads to a major problem with these systems in the USA:
The technology is new. But due to the seniority system of F/As in the USA, the ones in charge of many of the aircraft with the systems are old and generally know little about the technology they are asked to be in charge of. If they have a power trip complex, they won't let younger junior crew try to fix things. They do not seem to be trained properly (and if they are anything like my Mom, it wouldn't help), and with the systems being buggy, it causes problems because there is no one with a tech brain allowed to fix it on many longer flights. I was talking to a CRC agent about this, and he was saying the Panny system is so buggy that they are suspending installations (true?) and that the crews are not trained properly on them. The 738 crews being younger have fewer problems, but the 767/777 crews seem to not get that the system is a selling point and having it not work is a bad thing.
Contrast this to airlines like QF, SQ and EK that make sure, at least according to the crews I talked to, that one crew member is trained specifically to work with AVOD system issues.
Of all the things to worry about... the Wookie has no pants.
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 3863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 4, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 7 hours ago) and read 4345 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): The technology is new. But due to the seniority system of F/As in the USA, the ones in charge of many of the aircraft with the systems are old and generally know little about the technology they are asked to be in charge of. If they have a power trip complex, they won't let younger junior crew try to fix things. They do not seem to be trained properly (and if they are anything like my Mom, it wouldn't help), and with the systems being buggy, it causes problems because there is no one with a tech brain allowed to fix it on many longer flights. I was talking to a CRC agent about this, and he was saying the Panny system is so buggy that they are suspending installations (true?) and that the crews are not trained properly on them. The 738 crews being younger have fewer problems, but the 767/777 crews seem to not get that the system is a selling point and having it not work is a bad thing.
Contrast this to airlines like QF, SQ and EK that make sure, at least according to the crews I talked to, that one crew member is trained specifically to work with AVOD system issues.
Interesting point. I have wondered that myself but I tend to agree with your assessment that FAs generally only give a half-assed attempt to fix a broken system. I do agree that the focus of their job should be on safety but I also think there should be some remedial training on the tv systems for the occasions when they don't work properly or at all. I would imagine that there are a host of "usual" problems and most can be troubleshooted and fixed relatively easily. (For the record, I've yet to be on a JetBlue flight where the system was completely out. I saw a row or two not working on my last flight but the plane was empty enough to move people away from those rows).
My bet is that CO will charge (in economy at least) for their tv. 80 channels sounds awesome, perhaps a little overkill, but definitely good. Anyone know if they'll get XM too?
JetBluefan1 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2701 posts, RR: 17 Reply 5, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 4291 times:
Quoting PanAm330 (Reply 1): Very nifty. I wonder if B6 will follow suit and progressively install this newer system in their planes as they come due for heavy checks.
I would think so. JetBlue owns LiveTV, so the cost to do this would be minimal, and it would enhance the customer experience even further.
Quoting Richierich (Reply 4): (For the record, I've yet to be on a JetBlue flight where the system was completely out. I saw a row or two not working on my last flight but the plane was empty enough to move people away from those rows).
I know people who have been on flights where the system was completely out (and received a $15 credit). I have been on over 20 JetBlue flights, and on only 1 flight the LiveTV wasn't working (from JFK to ROC). At the time, JetBlue had partnered up with FOX to provide free Simpsons episodes - which doesn't rely on the LiveTV system - so it wasn't much of a problem. Most passengers didn't seem to be annoyed.
JetBluefan1
Most people on a.net hate JetBlue. Get used to it.
Richierich From United States of America, joined Nov 2000, 3863 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 4139 times:
Quoting JetBluefan1 (Reply 5): I would think so. JetBlue owns LiveTV, so the cost to do this would be minimal, and it would enhance the customer experience even further.
I wouldn't say 'minimal'. It would still be a pretty darn expensive upgrade, and as I understand it, the room for servers on each plane is already being used up. More channels would mean new hardware that fits in the same space. That would not be cheap.
OOer From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 1290 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 4130 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): I was on DL's 763 with DishNetwork last night out of Atlanta, and the upper 6 channels weren't working. At first, no channels but FX were working, as they were listed as not subscribed (suggesting you call to activate them). A very snotty, spikey haired old hag running the show in First (I'm generally nice to people and don't call them names, but she was just AWEFUL and should be fired for her attitude, not in charge of the crew), who knows nothing about technology but believed she knew everything, said that somehow each individual seat could have this error (despite the whole plane having it). They reset the system once, and said they can only do so once, and that's it. After resetting, only the top 6 were still dead.
Which of course included ESPN. Which meant that there was no monday night football last night. The AVOD system worked fine, but the TV was just screwed up.
When, after the full reset (interesting to watch, as the lights go off and it takes 5 minutes) I told the head F/A that "ESPN is still not working" she just snapped back "it's just yours, every other unit is working" and "ESPN doesn't work out of Atlanta, but will come back later". Of course, none of my neighbors could get ESPN either and it was off the whole flight (as was ESPN2, ESPN News, etc.), and since I've installed DishNetwork systems in the past, I do know what needs to be done (turn off receiver, turn on, if not solved, REPEAT, and finally call them as a last resort). She never bothered to ask the Captain if he could reset the system, or contact DL center to notify DishNetwork (who could fix it instantly if told about it). Because she knew best. Even other F/As were rolling their eyes at her, because they must have had to deal with her attitude on many other flights. And of course many customers paid the fee for headphones (small fee, but not free) on the pretext that ESPN would be working, and then it wasn't.
I am a DL F/A and have almost 2 years with them. your statement is 100% dead on. The older more senior F/As will not take advice from more junior...younger F/As...personally I usually fly lead, but when I don't and an issue arises...I just do it, I don't ask!
I apologize about the service failure on behalf of the crew, and apologize our IFE was not working properly.
Solution: Write DL an email from Delta.com, complain about the crewmember that was horrible and list specifics about the flight...they can track who it was.
Also, if you or anyone else happen to be on another flight on DL with an IFE failure and the crew has no idea how to fix it...this is what they need to do.
1. Turn off the IFE power from their screen
2. Call the cockpit, they need to pull the IFE circuit braker
3. Leave the cabin system off for 5-6 minutes
4. Restart the system
80% of the time, it works every time!
I just worked a flight from ATL-PHX where the IFE was not working...guess what? That fixed it and all the channels ended up working!
Once again, take your issues to DL, 2 minutes of your time writing up a comment on Delta.com can make your next trip 100 times better! Also, please send positive comments as well...those always make us feel good about what we do!
COalways From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 333 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 4051 times:
WOW Continental is going to to have the Best LiveTv system in the skies!!! 80 channels of Directv thats Awesome! Are the going to have 100 channels of XM satelite radio to?
Manfredj From United States of America, joined Mar 2007, 1132 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 4014 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): The technology is new. But due to the seniority system of F/As in the USA, the ones in charge of many of the aircraft with the systems are old and generally know little about the technology they are asked to be in charge of. If they have a power trip complex, they won't let younger junior crew try to fix things. They do not seem to be trained properly (and if they are anything like my Mom, it wouldn't help), and with the systems being buggy
Ikr!!!!! Naughty. I simply can't accept this as true, even with the F/A's comments above. The risks involved from complaining passengers is too high on the F/A's part to simply opt not to turn on/troubleshoot the equipment because they are "too old" to care.
If anything, an entertainment system would have the same affect that a DVD system does for children on long trips in the car....shut the passengers up.
There is something homey about being taken care of by a seasoned crew member. I know I'm going to get great service, and someone who will act accordingly in an emergency and not break down in a tantrum. I think we all forget that that's ultimately what they are there for...not to make sure our hot towels are at the correct temperature with the perfect lemon scent.
B6JFKH81 From United States of America, joined Mar 2006, 2404 posts, RR: 2 Reply 10, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3951 times:
Quoting Richierich (Reply 6): I wouldn't say 'minimal'. It would still be a pretty darn expensive upgrade, and as I understand it, the room for servers on each plane is already being used up. More channels would mean new hardware that fits in the same space. That would not be cheap.
I remember when we went from 24 - 36 channels and Fox Inflight. That mod was insane. I was transferred to MCO to support it. And yes, it would be costly as there are a ton of small parts needed along with modifying some of the larger units. Just because we own them doesn't mean we don't have to buy parts and spend extra money on the labor to install it. I remember seeing the racks and everything that needed to be installed and thinking to myself "there can't be that much room left in any electronics compartment after that goes in" LOL!
~H81
"If you do not learn from history, you are doomed to repeat it"
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 4856 posts, RR: 13 Reply 11, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3804 times:
Quoting Manfredj (Reply 9): There is something homey about being taken care of by a seasoned crew member.
You can't very well listen to this guy say that she was a b--ch and then turn around and tell him, "no she wasn't, she was 'homey'."
Quoting OOer (Reply 7): 80% of the time, it works every time!
Um... run that by me again?
At the airline I USED to work for, we'd occasionally have a single seat go out, and it was usually beyond the F/A's to fix it. Once on the ground, we'd reset the system, check ALL PTV screens (which takes a while in a 747-400), and everything would usually be fine.
Snn2003 From United States of America, joined May 2001, 297 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3791 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): The technology is new. But due to the seniority system of F/As in the USA, the ones in charge of many of the aircraft with the systems are old and generally know little about the technology they are asked to be in charge of. If they have a power trip complex, they won't let younger junior crew try to fix things. They do not seem to be trained properly (and if they are anything like my Mom, it wouldn't help), and with the systems being buggy, it causes problems because there is no one with a tech brain allowed to fix it on many longer flights. I was talking to a CRC agent about this, and he was saying the Panny system is so buggy that they are suspending installations (true?) and that the crews are not trained properly on them. The 738 crews being younger have fewer problems, but the 767/777 crews seem to not get that the system is a selling point and having it not work is a bad thing.
As a CO F/A I kinda take fault with this. I have never been shunned by a senior FA when trying to help. We all understand this stuff makes use $$...
One way, IAH-RTB please! No return ticket required.
Burnsie28 From United States of America, joined Aug 2004, 7218 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3763 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): was on DL's 763 with DishNetwork last night out of Atlanta, and the upper 6 channels weren't working.
Well Dish network to begin with sucks, poor decision by them to go with dish network instead of DirecTv
"Some People Just Know How To Fly"- Best slogan ever, RIP NW 1926-2009
SFOnative From United States of America, joined Jan 2008, 209 posts, RR: 0 Reply 14, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3601 times:
Quoting Ikramerica (Reply 3): The technology is new. But due to the seniority system of F/As in the USA, the ones in charge of many of the aircraft with the systems are old and generally know little about the technology they are asked to be in charge of.
This statement holds true in many other situations and industries....
The technology is there, but a large portion of the workforce either doesn't understand it, really can't grasp it, or even down right fears it!
Newtothewidget From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 9 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3463 times:
As a mid-seniority flight attendant I can only answer for myself. We have all had a bad experience with a crew member from time to time. It happens. But before you go and say she should be fired for her rudeness, etc. you might want to cut her a little slack. Have you been 100% at your job everyday? I am sure there have been days she has delivered great customer service too. I agree with maybe you should drop Delta a note and express your disappointment. Perhaps the best situation would be to deal with her directly and tell her how you were feeling about things. I get so tired of people coming up to me and tell me something a colleague did on the flight and start the sentence " you should tell your co-worker..." If you have an issue with someone, deal with them directly. It is not my responsibility to express YOUR feelings. I think in this society we tend to hide behind a computer screen or go through several channels when the best way to resolve an issue is to deal directly with someone. Own up to your opinions and be direct. (kicking soapbox out)
For the most part as well, flight crews have very limited means to fix issues with audio/video systems in flight. We usually just have the ability to reset the system. There is actually not much else we can do. Most of the systems are self-contained. Pulling the circuit breaker in the flight deck may or may not resolved things. There is really not much "training" involved other than which buttons to push when. I understand your frustration with the situation, but maybe your expectations for its resolution were too high. I hope you brought along a good book.
I hope your future experiences on Delta, and its wholly owned subsidiary Northwest, are good ones.
COalways From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 333 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 3295 times:
Quoting Burnsie28 (Reply 13): Well Dish network to begin with sucks, poor decision by them to go with dish network instead of DirecTv
Dish Network is not a reliable sysytem delta is haveing major problems with gettin recipition for the channels to work also Virgin America has the same problems
USAirALB From United States of America, joined Sep 2007, 2421 posts, RR: 2 Reply 17, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 2685 times:
Will the PTV's in first been in the armrest?
And will the keep the overhead monitors to show movies, air show, arrival video,etc..
Mexicana: "La Primera Siempre Sera La Primera" R.I.P. Mexicana!
Tdubjfk From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2605 times:
Quoting Manfredj (Reply 9): There is something homey about being taken care of by a seasoned crew member. I know I'm going to get great service, and someone who will act accordingly in an emergency and not break down in a tantrum. I think we all forget that that's ultimately what they are there for...not to make sure our hot towels are at the correct temperature with the perfect lemon scent.
BULL. Service is a major part of their job .. as is keeping Premium passengers happy. Too bad for the ones that feel 'above' that. OOer has the right attitude. Don't blame IKRAmerica for being offended at the hag's behavior. SHE was in the wrong -- there is no excuse for that kind of behavior from any employee to any customer, whether it's on a plane, in a hotel or in a gas station!
COalways From United States of America, joined Feb 2008, 333 posts, RR: 0 Reply 19, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 2563 times:
Quoting USAirALB (Reply 17): And will the keep the overhead monitors to show movies, air show, arrival video,etc..
No they will take the overhead monitors out like how they took the overhead monitors out of the 757-200 when they installed the AVOD system from Nose To Tail.
JetBluefan1 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2701 posts, RR: 17 Reply 20, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2325 times:
Quoting Richierich (Reply 6): I wouldn't say 'minimal'. It would still be a pretty darn expensive upgrade, and as I understand it, the room for servers on each plane is already being used up. More channels would mean new hardware that fits in the same space. That would not be cheap.
You're right - I should have said in comparison to what other airlines may pay. Since JetBlue owns LiveTV, then there is no need for LiveTV to "profit" off of such a move. On that note, if the costs to do this are still very high, I don't know if it would be worth it for JetBlue to do this - especially since they already have 36 channels (more than enough) as wel as XM. Maybe it can be done on new aircraft, but perhaps not across the entire fleet.
JetBluefan1
Most people on a.net hate JetBlue. Get used to it.
jetBlue's inflight entertainment system is phenominal. Where B6 lacks, tho, IMHO, is their cabin crews. I fly B6 often and will continue to, but man can their cabin crews (for the most part) use a dose of class and professionalism . It's all detailed in my Trip Report entitled WhitePlains-MCO; the jetblue Experience in the Trip Report section.
OOPS ... sorry guys, I didn't mean to hijack the thread ...!
Flyingcat From United States of America, joined May 2007, 462 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 2249 times:
Quoting Burnsie28 (Reply 13): Well Dish network to begin with sucks, poor decision by them to go with dish network instead of DirecTv
Live TV owned by B6 has an exclusivity agreement with DirecTV. Those who have another competing live IFE have to go with DISH as they are the only choice.
OOer From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 1290 posts, RR: 2 Reply 23, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 2012 times:
Quoting AA737-823 (Reply 11): Quoting OOer (Reply 7):
80% of the time, it works every time!
AA737-823 From United States of America, joined Mar 2000, 4856 posts, RR: 13 Reply 24, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 1734 times:
Quoting OOer (Reply 23): Watch Anchorman, you'll get it!
Haha, I totally got it, but figured that it was a mental typo on your part!!!
I didn't realize anyone else had actually enjoyed that movie enough to quote it!!!!!
25 CAL: Second that.... At continental they have done a good job letting us know that the IFE is an important part of the customer experience and try and do
26 Pgtravel: B6 has not made any plans to do so yet, but they can always do it later if they want. The new system is much smaller and fits in the overhead bin. It
27 Ikramerica: Exactly. The F/As resetting the system themselves is NOT the same thing as asking the Captain to power it down. Anyone who's worked with AVOD technol
28 Ikramerica: Thanks for your suggestion, but the whole thing was just the end of a long ordeal, and I want to put it in the past. TPA-LAX Sunday night: canceled.
29 Luv2cattlecall: Think that's bad? Many DL 757's I've been on still show BET on what should be the Animal Planet...this problem has been going on for the past 6+ mont
30 Luv2cattlecall: Just to back Ikr up, he usually is the one pointing out that an FA may have had a long day, and defending airline employees when someone comes on her
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From United States of America, joined Oct 2005, 444 posts, 
, 20630 posts, 
Even other F/As were rolling their eyes at her, because they must have had to deal with her attitude on many other flights. And of course many customers paid the fee for headphones (small fee, but not free) on the pretext that ESPN would be working, and then it wasn't.
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