Gig 601XL Builder wrote:
This brings up another point. If FAs are there primarily for emergencies and
not as flying wait staff then why don't the airlines train at least senior
FAs to serve as backup radio ops and a second pair of eyes/hands?

Or why there is a mandatory retirement age for pilots yet none for FA's.
The previous #1 by seniority (no pun intended) at UA was 80+ years
old. Her name was Gladys IIRC. If someone mentioned her name, most of
the real frequent fliers (1K's on up) would recognize the name and knew
who you were talking about. She was forced to retire last year IIRC
when she couldn't open up the cabin door. No joke. Can you imagine
this woman jumping down a chute in a wheel chair. ?

The FAA should set a mandatory retirement age for FA's. And if it were
up to me, I'd make that age 32. ;-)

Gerald