Attendant/Ground Call System Recommendation... What do you think?

[SWAFO]

I personally don't like the fact that the FA constantly comes to the cockpit unannounced with drinks, etc. I recommended this
attendant/ground call system quite some time ago when FSP was still in the Beta stages. Here it is:

Here's my proposal for the attendant/ground call system. In real life, this is how the attendant call button works (its the button that makes
that classic "ding-dong" sound):

1 Ring - We always give a ring about a minute prior to takeoff. This is to notify the Flight attendants (FA's) to take their seats and prepare
for takeoff. If we ring it after takeoff, it means that they should unlock the door (I've never used it for this feature... we're not that lazy, we can
unlock our own doors thank you!... lol)

2 Rings - This is the most frequent used call feature. It simply means that the lead FA should answer the service interphone (the system
we use to communicate with the FA's and Ground Crew). We use this when we have some important information to tell them that isn't
urgent.

3 Rings - When we ring the bell 3 times it means that the lead FA should proceed to the flight deck ASAP. We don't use this much,
however there are times when it's useful.

4 Rings - I've never used this feature. It basically means that there's an emergency of some sort and we need to talk to the FA
immediately. The lead ("A") flight attendant will proceed to the flight deck, while the other two FA's ("B" and "C") will ready the cabin and
PAX for emergency procedures.

I think that this system, either in it's entirety, or just partially should be implemented. I've got two possible systems... the first is based on
full implementation, the second is minimal, yet very functional for most flight communication.

~FIRST SETUP~

This is the full implementation... all ring quantities are implemented. One ring would be the FA unlocking the door (not really required in
my opinion), two rings would be the FA answering the interphone (see below), three would be the FA coming to the cockpit (see below),
and four would be emergency procedures. This would be a lot of work to implement, and is why I think the second idea is better (you
have my support and help with either, if you do chose to implement this).

~SECOND SETUP~

This is the partial, yet very functional implementation. One ring does nothing, two rings would have the FA answering the interphone for
various requests (see below), three rings would have the FA coming to the cockpit (only the same requests available with the two-ring
service are available with the three ring, however an FA comes to the cockpit this time... that's only 1 extra WAV file), four rings would
either do nothing, or be a very basic emergency setup (see below).

This is my vision of how the various rings should be implemented in game:

If I ring the bell twice, a FA answers the service interphone. She'd say "Hi captain, what can I do for you?". The possible requests and
voice dialog is as follows:

- Request a drink (captain says "Would you mind bringing myself and the first officer something to drink?")(FA replies "Sure captain, I'll
have that in a minute.")

- Request a snack (captain says "The first officer and I are a little hungry up here, would you mind bringing us something to eat?")(FA
reply is same as the drink request)

- Notify FA of Turbulence (this is a neat feature that I brought up in another message in the beta forum... see below)

- Notify of Early/Late Arrival or Airborne Hold(brought this up in another message too... check it out below)

- Request State of Cabin/PAX (captain says "How's everything going back there? Any issues?")(FA Replies "Everything's fine captain,
thanks for asking" or "We've got a roudy passenger back here that won't stay seated" or "The galley power's not working, looks like no
coffee on this flight" There are a multitude of replies that could be possible. Requesting the state of things would just be an added
bonus, not as useful as the other requests).


On the other hand, if I ring the bell three times the FA would come to the cockpit to answer any requests (same requests as above. Just a
new dialog. For example, you would here the cockpit door open, then the FA says "Yes captain, how can I help you" or something like that,
but a little different than the two-ring initial FA dialog.


If I ring the bell four times it would be neat to have the "A" FA come to the cockpit stating "Captain, what seems to be the problem? The
other two FA's are securing the cabin and PAX for an emergency" That would be a nice added feature (again, not required), and would
only require that one dialog (more if you want to get creative).

Anyway, that's my basic idea for the flight attendant call system. If you wanted to add a ground call system, that'd be great too. Here's how
we use the GRD CALL button in reality:

You only need to press this button once. It sounds a horn in the nose wheel well that alerts the ground crew to answer the service
interphone. Pretty straight forward in it's use.

If it was simulated, this is how it should work:

You only need to ring once for ground. After a slight delay, the ground crew comes on the interphone stating "Hi captain, what do you
need?" The possible requests and dialog are below:

- Check aircraft status (captain says "How's everything looking down there?" something like that... not too sure... I'm tired too, so give me
some credit lol)(grd crew respons "Everything's fine, you're good for operations" or "We've got a tire that needs changing on your
starboard wheel, we'll get that changed out for you"... there can be a number of grd crew replies. This feature isn't required, just a nice
addition like the FA "status check" request.

- Connect/Disconnect Pre-Conditioned Air (captain says "Please connect/disconnect PC air")(grd crew replies "PC air is
connected/disconnected")

- Connect/Disconnect Ground Power (captain says "Please connect/disconnect ground power.")(grd crew replies "ground power is
connected/disconnected")


That's the basic thought I have on the call system. Let me know what you think.



Post Edited ( 07-13-05 07:29 )

[carloscane]

That sounds really interesting! Hope Dan like it!

[ezzeke3]

I would LOVE this type of feature!!!! Dan, can we see that in a later update?

[carloscane]

Please Dan!!

[SWAFO]

Like I stated, I recommended it to Dan during the late beta stage (when I came on board), and the idea was well received, but it was too
late to add such a complex item. Perhaps we'll see it in an update. I'm definetly pushing for it!

[kayle411]

Post Edited ( 07-22-10 09:06 )

[SWAFO]

True, however the FA is implemented in the fact that she makes lots of announcements (after all, she is the pilots link to the
passengers), and brings the captain drinks. Instead of her randomly barging in to bring drinks, you could request them from her, etc. It
is ear candy, however it's "realistic" ear candy. It adds that depth, that immersion to FS. FSP already creates a tremendous amount of
immersion, and I think some more "ear candy" would further add to that factor.

If you've got a FA and ground crew at your disposal, you feel much more like a captain, more in charge and being in a position where you
can issue orders (to an extent) to get the job done. If you've got the FA coming in every 30 minutes with coffee when you're busy doing
something else, who's in charge? Not you. lol.

It's not all earcandy. If you read the full post, you'd notice a few useful functions. You can notify the FA of a late/early arrival (this would kill
a potential penalty), and you can notify her of turbulence (this would decrease PAX fear... I forgot that I posted a few more messages in
the beta forum, I'll add them here.)

[SWAFO]

Here's my idea on the turbulence feature... forgot to post this message:

I think that the PAX should be less frightened by turbulence if notified of it. Think about it, if you're on a flight and all of a sudden the plane
starts shaking, you're going to be a hell of a lot more scared than if you know what to expect ahead of time. The PAX would be aware of
turbulence by letting the FA know about the turbulence at least 30 seconds prior to entering it. This would fit into my attendant call
proposal perfectly. If the attendant call system isn't created, you could always add an option for the captain to directly notify the PAX of
turbulence. If they're notified ahead of time, this should significantly lower, if not completely diminish their fear.

Also, if the FA call system is implicated, the turbulence alert levels could vary. During real flights, we notify the PAX of any bumps we
expect and tell them to fasten their belts (if necessary). If the turbulence is only light, that's all we'd do and the FA's will continue their
regular cabin service. If we expect moderate or worse turbulence, we ask the FA's to take their seats and discontinue their service till
we're through it. This could all be integrated into the attendant call system I proposed. Let me know what you think.

Regards,
Brad

[psolk]

Personally, I love it. It just adds to the interaction level. If it is feasible, I would love to see it. If not, I would at least like some food
along with my drinks. I have done 4 transatlantic flights and never got a meal. I started packing a lunch for my long flights
Love the program,
Thanks,
-Paul

[DBE]

This would be a very nice "update" indeed!

For my part, I'd already be happy if the FA would actually leave the cockpit after having brought some drinks.

[SWAFO]

Forgot to post this one too... sorry:

If the passengers are aware of a late arrival, it makes a bad situation a little more bearable. Perhaps you could notify the FA of a late
arrival. This would have the affect of reducing the penalty for late arrivals up to 30 minutes or so. Any later, and the penalties are there and
just as stiff as before.

[psolk]

Keep em coming Brad...
Dan is going to hate you
I like it. It makes sense for an add-on based around pleasing the passengers to include interaction with the FA's. That way I could yell at them for not bringing me my meal
-Paul



Post Edited ( 07-13-05 07:41 )

[SWAFO]

I'm just making a recommendation, not a requirement at all. I'll be here and offer my help and advice (and sarcastic, rude comments)
regardless of whether the call system is implemented or not. Just thought it would be neat to see, that's all.

[pagir]

I like most aspects of the "ding dong" features (as you called it, Brad ).

But I can't see where I will get the motivation to call a "virtual coffee" from the "virtual agent" (the two rings). On the other hand, I can
understand why, for distraction purpose, FsP tells this "virtual agent" to offer my a "virtual coffe". There is no "reward" for calling the virtual
agent, and it's normal. So this feature will have no goals and no objectives. And it doesn't really add realism. I bet a feature like this will
never be used.

Even in The Sims if you drink a coffee you will get an energy boost. You can't get this kind of thing in FsP...

This said, I found the "turbulence option" interesting

But, as I said in the beta forum, the 1, 3 and 4 rings can add a lot to FsP!!!

Pagir



Post Edited ( 07-13-05 08:02 )

[psolk]

I love it but the reality is that it has to be at least a couple of thousand lines of code. It can't be that easy to implement but it really does
sound like a great idea. If it is feasible Dan I vote yes.
As for the sarcasm, it just means you care about us
-Paul