Narrative:

I was the only passenger on board; an off duty flight attendant commuting home. There was no communication from the captain or flight deck while the door was open during flight and I kept wondering why we weren't climbing. No signals; no voice commands; no lights. Upon boarding the captain advised me to sit back and relax; I was a passenger and not to check emergency equipment since I was off duty. Overhead bins were open; galleys were unsecured etc. I never flew on ferry flight as passenger before. Since the flight deck door was open during take-off; in seat 1A; I attempted to rest as the captain advised since I was through with my trips for the month. I noticed they were in their seats and I advised them that the galley wasn't locked down as I observed from seat 1A. I told them this was my first ferry flight as passenger. I asked if they wanted me to lock the carts down. They responded yes. I then proceeded to take my seat and fasten my seat belt in 1A.shortly thereafter; during critical phase; the masks dropped. I looked up into the flight deck and noticed everything was normal. I looked back at the mid-ceiling lights and noticed no lights were on. I then proceeded to think they were just testing equipment since no verbal commands from the captain were given. I then started to look back out the window and it seemed as if we were gliding or floating. I looked around the bulkhead and noticed the first officer while I was in my seat taking oxygen. I thought this was normal; as previous airlines pilots frequently took oxygen in the flight deck in course of flying as routine. I did not want to get out of my seat or bother the flight deck since we were in critical phase and I received no announcements from them or lights in the cabin indicating we were in an emergency. I still did not know what was going on and was concerned. I still saw houses through the clouds looking out the window when we should have been already above the clouds. I continued to be curious and looked into the flight deck again. I am now hearing several chatter from air traffic control and I can barely make out what they were saying to the pilots. It sounded like they were telling them to go to another airport. Then when I overheard ATC stating to land to the pilots in the cockpit; I realized we were in an emergency.now; the flight deck small square light I can see from seat 1A by leaning over is flashing and I remember from training that the amber light is emergency. Still; there was no communication from the cockpit that we were in an emergency situation. No lights still as I kept checking as I was trained in the mid-cabin ceiling and no announcements from the cockpit and no chimes still. Never once during the flight was I notified by flight deck crew that we were in an emergency or had a problem. I was still in my seatbelt in seat 1A. I kept looking out the window noticing that the wings were not balanced and the plane felt like it was on manual or gliding. We felt like we were turning around to go back. As we approached the runway; I kept remembering ATC in a sound of a panic to the flight deck that they are getting clearance to land and moving other planes out of the way for us to land. I saw the water which looked very close and reviewed in my mind; my training and the use of the seat cushion if we hit water.still no communication from the flight deck even though the door was open. No chimes; no lights; no verbal commands. As we landed on the runway; I saw the first officer take off his oxygen mask and I felt that the landing must have been ok but I was still not sure as I saw yellow fire trucks and sirens on the runway as they looked like they were approaching our plane. As soon as the plane stopped; I unbuckled my seat belt and started to approach the flight deck to ask 'what happened?' before I could say anything they shouted 'don't open that main cabin door'. I announced I had no plans to do so. I saw several lights on the panel of the flight deck as I approached their entrance door. The captain then told me to open the door but he was holding onto my arms as I grabbed the assist handle so I would not get pulled out. I felt I should not have been the one to open the door as I was traveling as a passenger but wanted to follow the command. The first officer was standing behind him halfway in the flight deck. Upset and feeling nauseated and still not even knowing if our plane was on fire at landing since the trucks were there; I went down the stairs and fled to the bus that was taking me to the terminal so I could go try to catch a flight home. The pilots apologized to me when we landed. I was totally confused and I had a nightmare on my standby flight back home.my observation of ATC communicating to flight deck our flight number was the indicator that we were in an emergency. The cause of anxiety and unknowns could have been prevented by the captain or first officer making announcements or chimes or lights indicating to me as a passenger or person on board what was happening. Causes inflight are to be determined by maintenance and better explained by captain and first officer. My reaction during the flight was anxious but calm due to the fact I had no confirmation on what was happening. Nor did I know when we landed; if our plane was on fire as the emergency trucks were there but the captain and first officer did not state that it was when we landed. Much trust was put in them before; during; and after the flight. However; it would have only taken a brief moment for them to advise me of the emergency during the flight. The captain made a comment on landing why my ears did not pop because he was able to bring the plane back down to below 10;000 feet. I believe at some point one of them could have communicated to me what was happening.rules; regulations; policies and procedures by flight deck that regardless if crew is traveling as passenger; some communication needs to be given in the cabin to indicate emergency or explanation of what is happening. In addition; if crew is traveling as a solo passenger as in this case; then a briefing or instruction should be given on what way they will communicate any emergencies. The captain also advised me not to check emergency equipment upon boarding as he stated to sit back and relax that I was a passenger. With no communication during the flight; did he check the emergency equipment before take-off? The overhead bins were open and galley wasn't secure at take-off. My suggestions would be to follow normal emergency communication protocol regardless if ferry flight and whether one passenger or 15 are on board. Crew or passenger communication is imperative to save lives. Although my base manager advised me that it is not required to fill out an as soon as possible or a fir since I was not on duty; I still feel that had I been sleeping and something had seriously happened I would not be here because the flight deck would not have attempted communication to me in order for me to prepare. An announcement or chimes should have been given. I believe that a crew member life is just as important to communicate; even when traveling as a passenger. Because I was the only one on the plane makes it even more important to have been able to receive that communication from the flight deck.it should be policy or procedure regardless if they are not required to do so on an aviation level according to the guidelines of FAA. I was advised of this when trying to find out if I am supposed to report it. To me; it only makes sense to do so in order to save lives and have the highest concern and awareness of safety. I have decided to report this as it may save a life one day if it is taken seriously. It should also be addressed in training for new flight attendants not to expect communication from the flight deck in an emergency if they are taking a ferry [flight] as a passenger. My base manager stated I could fill out a report if I wanted to; I contemplated and think that it is best the company is advised on the details so maybe procedures can be changed to save someone one day.

Related reports:

Google
 

Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: A Flight Attendant reported not being given information or notice when deadheading as the only passenger on a ferry flight which had to return to the departure airport.

Narrative: I was the only passenger on board; an off duty Flight Attendant commuting home. There was no communication from the Captain or flight deck while the door was open during flight and I kept wondering why we weren't climbing. No signals; no voice commands; no lights. Upon boarding the Captain advised me to sit back and relax; I was a passenger and not to check emergency equipment since I was off duty. Overhead bins were open; galleys were unsecured etc. I never flew on ferry flight as passenger before. Since the flight deck door was open during take-off; in seat 1A; I attempted to rest as the Captain advised since I was through with my trips for the month. I noticed they were in their seats and I advised them that the galley wasn't locked down as I observed from seat 1A. I told them this was my first ferry flight as passenger. I asked if they wanted me to lock the carts down. They responded yes. I then proceeded to take my seat and fasten my seat belt in 1A.Shortly thereafter; during critical phase; the masks dropped. I looked up into the flight deck and noticed everything was normal. I looked back at the mid-ceiling lights and noticed no lights were on. I then proceeded to think they were just testing equipment since no verbal commands from the Captain were given. I then started to look back out the window and it seemed as if we were gliding or floating. I looked around the bulkhead and noticed the First Officer while I was in my seat taking oxygen. I thought this was normal; as previous airlines pilots frequently took oxygen in the flight deck in course of flying as routine. I did not want to get out of my seat or bother the flight deck since we were in critical phase and I received no announcements from them or lights in the cabin indicating we were in an emergency. I still did not know what was going on and was concerned. I still saw houses through the clouds looking out the window when we should have been already above the clouds. I continued to be curious and looked into the flight deck again. I am now hearing several chatter from Air Traffic Control and I can barely make out what they were saying to the pilots. It sounded like they were telling them to go to another airport. Then when I overheard ATC stating to land to the pilots in the cockpit; I realized we were in an emergency.Now; the flight deck small square light I can see from seat 1A by leaning over is flashing and I remember from training that the amber light is emergency. Still; there was no communication from the cockpit that we were in an emergency situation. No lights still as I kept checking as I was trained in the mid-cabin ceiling and no announcements from the cockpit and no chimes still. Never once during the flight was I notified by flight deck crew that we were in an emergency or had a problem. I was still in my seatbelt in seat 1A. I kept looking out the window noticing that the wings were not balanced and the plane felt like it was on manual or gliding. We felt like we were turning around to go back. As we approached the runway; I kept remembering ATC in a sound of a panic to the flight deck that they are getting clearance to land and moving other planes out of the way for us to land. I saw the water which looked very close and reviewed in my mind; my training and the use of the seat cushion if we hit water.Still no communication from the flight deck even though the door was open. No chimes; no lights; no verbal commands. As we landed on the runway; I saw the First Officer take off his oxygen mask and I felt that the landing must have been ok but I was still not sure as I saw yellow fire trucks and sirens on the runway as they looked like they were approaching our plane. As soon as the plane stopped; I unbuckled my seat belt and started to approach the flight deck to ask 'what happened?' Before I could say anything they shouted 'don't open that main cabin door'. I announced I had no plans to do so. I saw several lights on the panel of the Flight Deck as I approached their entrance door. The Captain then told me to open the door but he was holding onto my arms as I grabbed the assist handle so I would not get pulled out. I felt I should not have been the one to open the door as I was traveling as a passenger but wanted to follow the command. The First Officer was standing behind him halfway in the flight deck. Upset and feeling nauseated and still not even knowing if our plane was on fire at landing since the trucks were there; I went down the stairs and fled to the bus that was taking me to the terminal so I could go try to catch a flight home. The pilots apologized to me when we landed. I was totally confused and I had a nightmare on my standby flight back home.My observation of ATC communicating to flight deck our flight number was the indicator that we were in an emergency. The cause of anxiety and unknowns could have been prevented by the Captain or First Officer making announcements or chimes or lights indicating to me as a passenger or person on board what was happening. Causes inflight are to be determined by Maintenance and better explained by Captain and First Officer. My reaction during the flight was anxious but calm due to the fact I had no confirmation on what was happening. Nor did I know when we landed; if our plane was on fire as the emergency trucks were there but the Captain and First Officer did not state that it was when we landed. Much trust was put in them before; during; and after the flight. However; it would have only taken a brief moment for them to advise me of the emergency during the flight. The Captain made a comment on landing why my ears did not pop because he was able to bring the plane back down to below 10;000 feet. I believe at some point one of them could have communicated to me what was happening.Rules; regulations; policies and procedures by flight deck that regardless if crew is traveling as passenger; some communication needs to be given in the cabin to indicate emergency or explanation of what is happening. In addition; if crew is traveling as a solo passenger as in this case; then a briefing or instruction should be given on what way they will communicate any emergencies. The Captain also advised me not to check emergency equipment upon boarding as he stated to sit back and relax that I was a passenger. With no communication during the flight; did he check the emergency equipment before take-off? The overhead bins were open and galley wasn't secure at take-off. My suggestions would be to follow normal emergency communication protocol regardless if ferry flight and whether one passenger or 15 are on board. Crew or passenger communication is imperative to save lives. Although my Base Manager advised me that it is not required to fill out an ASAP or a FIR since I was not on duty; I still feel that had I been sleeping and something had seriously happened I would not be here because the flight deck would not have attempted communication to me in order for me to prepare. An announcement or chimes should have been given. I believe that a crew member life is just as important to communicate; even when traveling as a passenger. Because I was the only one on the plane makes it even more important to have been able to receive that communication from the flight deck.It should be policy or procedure regardless if they are not required to do so on an aviation level according to the guidelines of FAA. I was advised of this when trying to find out if I am supposed to report it. To me; it only makes sense to do so in order to save lives and have the highest concern and awareness of safety. I have decided to report this as it may save a life one day if it is taken seriously. It should also be addressed in training for new Flight Attendants not to expect communication from the flight deck in an emergency if they are taking a ferry [flight] as a passenger. My Base Manager stated I could fill out a report if I wanted to; I contemplated and think that it is best the company is advised on the details so maybe procedures can be changed to save someone one day.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.