TROLLEY OR JUMPSEAT?

One of the characteristics of modern aviation is globalization and multi-culturality.

And in these two characteristics there is a common element that was not so clear before.

The need for clear and effective communication.

Let’s see how it is in the case of CABIN CREWs working in the same team.
There are let’s say 3 modes of communication between the CABIN CREWs.

1.- In the AISLE (trolley mode).

Here you see the faces, verbal and non-verbal communication are linked to the message.

It is “noticeable” in his face if the message is direct, if it has irony, if he seeks security with our response, if it is an order, a suggestion and the thousands of options that we find in a communication when working on an airplane.

2.- In a Jumpseat.

In this case, most of the time the CABIN CREW does not see the partner’s face because they are sitting next to each other (side by side) and both look towards the same place.

It also occurs with pilots in the cockpit, where the non-verbal communication of the colleague is not appreciated and forces us to “guess” his message much more.

Breathing, cadence, depth, micro gestures and intonation of the message take place here.

It is important to highlight this point because it is the position we adopt (sitting in the jumpseat) during emergency and critical phases of the flight (cabin secured).

Added to this, many times we will be facing the passenger who looks at us to try to guess our feeling about the flight (sometimes magnifying what he intérpretes)and when we must put on our best face (sometimes poker) possible.

3.- By intercom.

Here the communication is much more diffuse, there is no non-verbal communication of any kind and it is also usually short, direct and very concise.

In this type of message, the precision of the words is much more important, since we hardly have anything to support such communication.

And what do we do?

In the face-to-face it is easier to interpret our crew, in the “jumpseat” mode we have to learn to see out of the corner of our eye, to interpret how he moves, how much he moves, how he breathes and to understand if he is calm, doubts, is nervous or if there is something that doesn’t make sense to him and has not said it.

Encourage communication (speak up) and in case of doubt…

Always ask.

And all of this(I go back to the beginning of the globalized world) IN ENGLISH.

Communicate clearly, please.

Until then, may you find peaceful skies.

Enrique Qrewmentor Team

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