A319
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Human Factors; Weather
Our flight experienced what was believed to be moderate (at best) to severe turbulence upon approach into ZZZ airport this afternoon. The turbulence lasted between 15-20 minutes and the Captain did not give any advance notice to our cabin crew. Movement was impossible in the cabin; items were falling around in the bathrooms; and people were extremely scared. We experienced violent altitude changes; slamming of the aircraft side-to-side; rapid pitch and rolls; and sudden/aggressive drops. During said turbulence; the captain never made any PA to advise us of any significant turbulence nor made any attempt to notify the crew via the interphone system at any point. We were not advised of how long the turbulence was expected to last; and passengers were given no updates until I provided one in an effort to comfort terrified passengers.The cockpit crew stated they were unaware of any weather/turbulence reports; which according to two other mainline pilots I spoke with following this incident stated that they would have easily and reasonably forecasted appreciable turbulence based on other immediately available weather factors in reference to ZZZ airport approach/arrival this afternoon; including reports of windshear.Separately; it is my hope that our pilots made accurate; timely and appropriate notifications during this turbulence to ZZZ ATC to assist other approaching aircraft. It is our cabin crews' concern that the communication here was so poor; or complacency was at its highest; that it may have been overlooked. Note: The captain mentioned significant pitching of the nose at times during the approach and 41-mph wind gusts; and agreed the ride conditions were poor. I would also add that in other instances we have diverted for much less. At the conclusion of the flight; and after arriving at the gate; I spoke with the captain via the interphone to inquire about the turbulence and lack of communication and ultimately met with him and the entire crew to discuss it in the forward galley. What resulted was the cabin crew feeling dismissed as the captain said that any announcement wouldn't have changed any of the outcome. While that statement is true; it is an unconscionable approach to piloting and communicating amongst a team of crew members tasked with passenger comfort and safety. The importance of CRM - providing accurate; timely; and needed communication with passengers and crew - is seriously missing with this cockpit crew. Is should be noted that the B flight attendant has been flying for [many] years and commented on how poorly this was handled by the cockpit; and how it was the worst turbulence she has encountered in her career. The A flight attendant also [noticed] the bathroom vanity on the bathroom floor; which fell during the hard landing.The captain was made aware that reports would be filed in response to the way this situation was handled. It should be noted that all times the cabin crew remained professional and fair at all times while communicating our concerns with the pilots on this flight segment. Our company simply must instill in their pilots the fundamentals of CRM and the importance of communication with crews and passengers. This is a noticeable issue with our legacy pilots that we are now flying with more frequently. Due to constant cockpit crew changes; it is noticeable and frightening the diminishing art and importance of crew communication. Never in my years of flying have I witnessed such a decline in CRM. This must be addressed.
A319 Flight Attendant reported a lack of communication from the cockpit during descent in severe turbulence.