Can I Use The Crew Rest Area?

od-bwh · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:25 am

I know this sounds a bit awkward, but is there a way passengers can use the crew rest area when it's not occupied? I sometimes get a desperate need to stretch out when traveling long distance in economy.

shamrock137 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:37 am

Quoting od-bwh (Thread starter):
I know this sounds a bit awkward, but is there a way passengers can use the crew rest area when it's not occupied? I sometimes get a desperate need to stretch out when traveling long distance in economy.

Short answer, no. The crew rest area is behind a locked door, most have special emergency exits and oxygen that require special training, plus the crew sometimes keeps personal items in the storage lockers. If you need to stretch, can't you take a walk up and down the aisle?

N766UA · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:39 am

*Crew* rest area.

71Zulu · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:40 am

This has to be a joke right?

od-bwh · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:42 am

Can't wait for Ryan Air to start long hauls. I bet they will offer this space for rental per hour basis

klm672 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:49 am

Do yoga in the galley.

speedbored · Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:51 am

Quoting od-bwh (Thread starter):
I sometimes get a desperate need to stretch out when traveling long distance in economy.

Most airlines already offer facilities for passengers with that need:

It's called "business class"

A330 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:08 am

What part of the word "CREW" don't you understand?!

If you want to stretch out, buy Business Class or First.
Even the very thought about being allowed to use it is disrespectful to the crew.

chrisp390 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:16 am

The crew rest is a very cramped area with small bunks, it is by no means an area you could "stretch out". You would be better off stretching out in a galley or around one of the door areas.

AAMDanny · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:18 am

Absolutely not, I suggest you either invest in paying for an exit row or treating yourself to a J/W/F upgrade

ahmetdouas · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:21 am

Plenty of space to walk around long haul economy. On the BA A380 I was seated rear upper deck economy, so i walked around the galley, to the bathroom, then walked downstairs which is much more spacious and did the rounds there up and down economy. Of course, the galleys best as are non high premium airlines such as TK 777's where you can walk most of the plane until you reach business!

ushermittwoch · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:25 am

Quoting A330 (Reply 7):
Even the very thought about being allowed to use it is disrespectful to the crew.

How so?

Mortyman · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:45 am

Quoting od-bwh (Reply 4):
Can't wait for Ryan Air to start long hauls. I bet they will offer this space for rental per hour basis

I doubt any airline would be allowed to do so by aviation authorities.

N766UA · Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:47 am

Hey maybe if you tell the FA you have a desperate need to have a better view she'll let you sit in the FO's seat while he's taking a piss...

smi0006 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:10 pm

Quoting klm672 (Reply 5):
Do yoga in the galley.

Galley is the crews office. Perhaps not the best place for yoga. It's an aircraft not a gym. If you can't manage and conduct yourself appropriately book a stop over.

vv701 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:31 pm

Quoting chrisp390 (Reply 8):
The crew rest is a very cramped area with small bunks, it is by no means an area you could "stretch out".

My experience is limited to a very privileged if quick visit to view the overhead crew rest area on a BA772ER. It comprised four full sized bunks, two forward and two aft of the rest area entrance. There was more than adequate room to stretch out.

Nevertheless the facilities provided airline to airline and even aircraft type to aircraft type vary significantly as can be seen from the photos in this link:

http://www.airlinereporter.com/2014/...ew-rest-areas-different-airliners/

Note in particular the regulations as to the use of a specific rest area inj the first photo.

ClassicLover · Mon Mar 28, 2016 12:44 pm

Quoting vv701 (Reply 15):
My experience is limited to a very privileged if quick visit to view the overhead crew rest area on a BA772ER. It comprised four full sized bunks, two forward and two aft of the rest area entrance. There was more than adequate room to stretch out.

Yes, I've visited the crew rest area on a BA 777-300ER at an open day. It's a very good use of space with no spare space. There were 6 bunks from memory. I think the OP might have been trying to start a discussion with his click bait thread title

sw733 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:01 pm

Quoting chrisp390 (Reply 8):
The crew rest is a very cramped area with small bunks

Yeah, the one time I was able to visit a crew rest area (pre-delivery at Airbus), I started feeling fairly claustrophobic after only a few minutes...and I'm not a very claustrophobic person. While economy class isn't great by any means, the crew rest is not Shangri-La either.

AA777223 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:03 pm

Quoting smi0006 (Reply 14):
Galley is the crews office. Perhaps not the best place for yoga. It's an aircraft not a gym. If you can't manage and conduct yourself appropriately book a stop over.

This is a much maligned practice on websites/blogs like Passenger Shaming. The poster was poking fun at people who do it to "stretch out". Other favorites at which to poke fun are feet on the bulkhead, barefeet propped on the seat infront/in the restroom, people who leave big messes and people who misuse the traytable (footrest, diaper changes, etc.). In short, the poster was being sarcastic.

readytotaxi · Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:34 pm

I think you would have more chance of taking over the galley and telling crew you want to cook for everyone.

etops1 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:49 pm

I know this is gonna get deleted but..... What a stupid freakin question

Francoflier · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:08 pm

Crew rest areas can only be occupied inflight by appropriately trained personnel.
That means pilots, cabin attendants and anybody who has been specifically trained to use the emergency facilities available inside, such as halon extinguishers, PBEs, O2 bottles in some cases and who know how to operate the emergency hatch.

And that's even before considering whatever company policies are in place and the security concerns...

N766UA · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:13 pm

Quoting AA777223 (Reply 19):

If he was being sarcastic, he needs to do a MUCH better job of making it clear. I see no sarcasm here...

Quoting etops1 (Reply 21):

It had to be said!

airzim · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:21 pm

It might be insulting to crew members on this site, but I had an old boss who was battling the flu on a TPAC flights on an Asian based carrier. He we sitting in Business Class upstairs and upon take off, snuck into the crew rest in the rear of the 744, crawled into a bunk and managed to get a few hours of sleep. He was awoken by the Purser who politely asked him to retake his original seat. No additional fuss involved.

smi0006 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:25 pm

Quoting AA777223 (Reply 19):
In short, the poster was being sarcastic

Hard to tell, as you pointed out so many people feel it's acceptable...

etops1 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:26 pm

Quoting airzim (Reply 24):

Great ! He goes into the crew bunks with the flu . Now the crew can't go in there to rest because this inconsiderate person has contaminated the bunks ! Some Passengers have some balls .. Smdh ..

anjin · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:29 pm

In the "old" days galley of DC10-30 had a row of three there no official use. Best seats in the house, personal service , odd drink or two and not much contact with the puhnters apart from take off and landing. Entrance was via the cart lift.

FlyHossD · Mon Mar 28, 2016 2:45 pm

Quoting airzim (Reply 24):
but I had an old boss who was battling the flu on a TPAC flights on an Asian based carrier. He we sitting in Business Class upstairs and upon take off, snuck into the crew rest in the rear of the 744, crawled into a bunk and managed to get a few hours of sleep.

Quoting etops1 (Reply 27):
Great ! He goes into the crew bunks with the flu . Now the crew can't go in there to rest because this inconsiderate person has contaminated the bunks !

Great - contaminate the crew rest area. Of course, going flying while experiencing the flu also exposes other passengers. Both are very inconsiderate things to do.

b727fa · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:15 pm

Quoting airzim (Reply 24):
t might be insulting to crew members on this site, but I had an old boss who was battling the flu on a TPAC flights on an Asian based carrier. He we sitting in Business Class upstairs and upon take off, snuck into the crew rest in the rear of the 744, crawled into a bunk and managed to get a few hours of sleep.

So there is no lock? I highly doubt this story.

tonystan · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:18 pm

Please please please stop thinking galleys are spaces for you to stretch out in, they are NOT. They are the dedicated workspaces for the crew and should be kept as so. Of course pop your head in to grab a drink or a snack or to ask a crew member something but do not assume it's acceptable to just wander in and loiter or do your sweaty stretches. It's the equivalent of someone climbing on your office desk to do the same!

Freshside3 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:23 pm

Some airlines had designated "crew rest seats" in Business Class, in the regular section but had a curtain hiding them.

airzim · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:34 pm

Quoting B727FA (Reply 30):

Quoting airzim (Reply 24):
t might be insulting to crew members on this site, but I had an old boss who was battling the flu on a TPAC flights on an Asian based carrier. He we sitting in Business Class upstairs and upon take off, snuck into the crew rest in the rear of the 744, crawled into a bunk and managed to get a few hours of sleep.

So there is no lock? I highly doubt this story.

Story is 100% true since I was flying with him, although admittedly never went into the crew rest myself. No need to hide the airline, it was China Airlines when they still had recliners so sleep was difficult to come by with this seats. The door to access this area in the tail was an unmarked closet in the back of the 744. Push back the door and climb up the stairs. If you weren't looking for it, you would't really notice it. During the first service there wouldn't be anyone up there. In fact, he mentioned they were very apologetic for asking him to leave. Such a different experience from any non Asian carrier, which would have read you the riot act.

I had many funny stories in my TPAC years. Another interesting one was with my other boss, sitting on the LAX-KIX-BKK 744 upstairs business class with TG. Those awful seats with no leg rest, no IFE except a screen in the front, and no chance of sleeping (unless you had the seat next to you empty and you could pull out the center arm rest and lay across the two seats). Anyway he put his cigarette pack on the arm rest during the flight. One of the male FAs came up to him and whispered if he'd like a smoke. The two of them went to the back galley on the UD and proceeded to smoke into the exhaust vent. You could get away with lots of stuff on Asian carriers.

Quoting FlyHossD (Reply 29):
Great - contaminate the crew rest area. Of course, going flying while experiencing the flu also exposes other passengers. Both are very inconsiderate things to do.

Not endorsing this behavior by any means. Just re-telling an experience.

BravoOne · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:35 pm

Quoting Freshside3 (Reply 32):
Some airlines had designated "crew rest seats" in Business Class, in the regular section but had a curtain hiding them.

Both Pan Am and TWA used the rear most seats in the 707 FC with a curtain for this purpose back in the good ole days

mayor · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:38 pm

As slow as I was on picking up on this, I now realize that the OP was talking about the "crew rest" area on board, while in flight. At first, I thought they were talking about the "crew rest" area at the airport, where the answer would also be a resounding NO.

omerlich · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:44 pm

Quoting airzim (Reply 33):

I'm sorry but this is disgusting.. a sick person comtaminated the crew rest ..
Same thing happened on a flight I was working on,he had the nerves to argue with me, I warned him thaa any further unruly behavior will cause for his arrest upon arrival.

mayor · Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:56 pm

Quoting Freshside3 (Reply 32):
Some airlines had designated "crew rest seats" in Business Class, in the regular section but had a curtain hiding them.

When I was flying to TLV from JFK in '91 to help with the PA transition, we were seated in first class on PA's A310. The seat next to me was empty and about halfway thru the leg to Paris, a member of the flight crew came out of the flight deck and sat next to me and that, apparently was the only "crew rest" that the flight crew had.

Revo1059 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:08 pm

Quote:
do not assume it's acceptable to just wander in and loiter or do your sweaty stretches. It's the equivalent of someone climbing on your office desk to do the same!

If Alice Eve were to assume that she could climb onto my office desk to do sweaty stretches, I wouldn't mind one bit....

It does bring up an interesting point though. We all read about how you're supposed to get up and stretch/walk during long flights. Maybe long haul flights should provide a small space to do so. Just a thought. I've never considered the isle a good place to do it, but with no alternative it has to do.

FlyHossD · Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:13 pm

Quoting FlyHossD (Reply 29):
Great - contaminate the crew rest area. Of course, going flying while experiencing the flu also exposes other passengers. Both are very inconsiderate things to d

Quoting airzim (Reply 33):
Not endorsing this behavior by any means. Just re-telling an experience.

I hope you didn't get sick, too.

neutrino · Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:28 pm

At the Singapore Airshow last month, the media was invited to tour the Qatar A388 & A359 that were on static display. (We were also given souvenirs of 1/200 scale models of each aircraft. Nice.) I went up into the crew rest area of the latter. Narrow single beds with curtains on either side of the curving roof. Not too bad; it's like a more luxurious version of the top sleeper berths of a night train.

[Edited 2016-03-28 09:40:57]

santi319 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:47 pm

This whole post is every crewmember's worst nightmare.. Eeeeeeeewwwww

futureualpilot · Mon Mar 28, 2016 4:53 pm

Quoting klm672 (Reply 5):

Do yoga in the galley.

Don't. Just don't.

If you absolutely feel compelled and just can't help yourself, have the courtesy to ask the FA's first. That is their work space. You wouldn't want some stranger coming into your office or whoever you work and assuming they can do yoga there.

canyonblue17 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:14 pm

Quoting etops1 (Reply 21):
I know this is gonna get deleted but..... What a stupid freakin question

I won't suggest deletion, but I don't think the question is as stupid as you think. Consider this, the cockpit, an area that is much more sensitive for many reasons, is often visited by those not flying the aircraft.

bgm · Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:19 pm

Quoting od-bwh (Thread starter):
is there a way passengers can use the crew rest area when it's not occupied?

Assist a crew member with some mile high hanky-panky?

neutrino · Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:21 pm

Quoting futureualpilot (Reply 42):

On long haul, I usually got up from my perennial choice of aisle seat way after a meal, when most pax were asleep, to stretch my legs by the window in the back galley. Of course, I would invariably ask the FA for his/her assent. They would then sooner or later offer me drinks and snacks. A little courtesy begets a return.

catiii · Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:28 pm

Quoting canyonblue17 (Reply 43):
Consider this, the cockpit, an area that is much more sensitive for many reasons, is often visited by those not flying the aircraft.

Not by people inflight who "get a desperate need to stretch out when traveling long distance in economy."

Boeing717200 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 5:28 pm

I can personally assure you that if you use the crew rest area, nothing will come of it. I do it all the time myself and sometimes it comes with perks, like a hot flight attendant in her 20's looking for a good time.

I agree. Economy class totally sucks.

[Edited 2016-03-28 10:29:29]

A320FlyGuy · Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:25 pm

I seem to recall when I was reading the TSB report on the Air France crash in Toronto back in 2005 that the flight was so oversold that there was a passenger sitting in the cockpit jumpseat as well as one or two passengers in the crew rest area.....but as a regular matter of business, no....no airline is going to let you into what is essentially a private, staff only area.

DualQual · Mon Mar 28, 2016 6:26 pm

Quoting Boeing717200 (Reply 47):

Cool story brah

United787 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:01 pm

Quoting smi0006 (Reply 14):
Galley is the crews office. Perhaps not the best place for yoga. It's an aircraft not a gym. If you can't manage and conduct yourself appropriately book a stop over.

Quoting tonystan (Reply 31):
Please please please stop thinking galleys are spaces for you to stretch out in, they are NOT. They are the dedicated workspaces for the crew and should be kept as so. Of course pop your head in to grab a drink or a snack or to ask a crew member something but do not assume it's acceptable to just wander in and loiter or do your sweaty stretches. It's the equivalent of someone climbing on your office desk to do the same!

I don't buy that galley spaces should be off limits to passengers. Of course, while they are in operation, I stay in my seat, but when the meal/drink service is over, on a long-haul flight (over 5-6 hours), I will absolutely walk the aisles and even stop in the galley so I can stand up, usually for not more than 5-10 minutes. I only do this if the f/a aren't doing anything in the galley. Most of the time, I ask if it is OK, I am always respectful and mindful of their responsibilities and mostly treated nicely in return... but occasionally I get attitude from an f/a who wants to socialize in the galley without having any passengers to deal with. I take issue with that. All economy passengers will need to "stretch out" (and I don't mean yoga) occasionally during long-haul flights, it is necessary for their health. But where else is that supposed to happen? Standing in the aisle doesn't work because no one can get around. Standing in the bathroom is inconsiderate to other pax. The only remaining space is the galley. And no, not all economy class pax should be expected to buy a business class seat because of that health need. Revo1059 seems to agree:

Quoting Revo1059 (Reply 38):
It does bring up an interesting point though. We all read about how you're supposed to get up and stretch/walk during long flights. Maybe long haul flights should provide a small space to do so. Just a thought. I've never considered the isle a good place to do it, but with no alternative it has to do.

Reminds me of when I needed to change my daughter's dirty diaper on UA 757s. They had no changing tables in the bathrooms and it is impossible to change a diaper without having somewhere to lay the baby down. They told me I couldn't change the diaper on my seat. And I couldn't change the baby on the floor of the galley because it is a food prep area. The aisle would be disgusting for fellow pax. I asked the f/a what am I supposed to do? She just put her hands up in the air. I started avoiding the 757s for that reason.

Viscount724 · Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:06 pm

Quoting A320FlyGuy (Reply 48):
I seem to recall when I was reading the TSB report on the Air France crash in Toronto back in 2005 that the flight was so oversold that there was a passenger sitting in the cockpit jumpseat as well as one or two passengers in the crew rest area.....but as a regular matter of business, no....no airline is going to let you into what is essentially a private, staff only area.

There was one non-revenue passenger in one of the two extra cockpit seats and two non-revenue passengers in the crew rest area behind the cockpit which contains two seats certified for takeoff/landing and can be converted to sleeping berths.

Related excerpt from the TSB report:

The passenger load comprised 297 passengers: 168 adult males; 118 adult females; 8 children;
and 3 infants. Adult passengers included: three wheelchair passengers and one blind passenger.
Three non-revenue passengers were seated in crew seats: one in the third occupant seat of the
flight deck, and two in the flight crew rest area.

[Edited 2016-03-28 12:07:46]

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