Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Type 166
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Human Factors
Prior to TO (Takeoff) I used the automated cabin announcement system to notify the flight attendants that we were ready for TO. While doing so I monitored the PA to make sure the announcement was actually made; which it was. When exiting the flight deck to initiate the rest period I was told that at least three flight attendants were standing up when the TO was made. Throughout the flight I heard three different excused for this having happened; two of which contradict one another. 1); I was told that the period of time between the announcement and the actual TO was too long and so they disregarded the announcement thinking we would make a follow up announcement. This is absurd as the announcement was made at an appropriate time; and SOP does not provide any guidelines for making a secondary announcement. 2) The same FA (Flight Attendant) who gave me excuse number one later changed her story and said the announcement wasn't heard at all. Clearly false. 3) A second FA told me that she heard the announcement but felt she couldn't comply with it as she was still taking meal orders from business class customers. She intentionally violated policy; put safety at risk; and clearly managed her time poorly. Every time [I] go to some sort of recurrent training event the topic of FA injuries is discussed. I hate the idea of someone getting hurt on a flight I am operating; so when I know something like this happened it is very upsetting.
B777 First Officer reported miscommunication resulting in several Flight Attendants still standing during takeoff.