Safety - the Ultimate Service

 

Safety... The Ultimate Service
AFA US Airways Safety, Health and Security News

   

Past Issues   

Issue 6

Safety On Board

 

November 5, 2009

Dear Members,
As we each read newspapers, talk to family and friends, watch television, get additional information from our news sources. We are all aware that these are some trying times. Each of us, that have a job, can be thankful and do our best to ensure we are all around for a long time. Let us all work together to improve what we presently have. To each of you, the Safety committee would like to say thanks for your hard work and dedication to our profession as flight attendants.

Here are a few items that have come to light, that need our attention. These items should be discussed and covered in your pre flight briefings (when applicable).

  • Boarding and Deplaning: During boarding and deplaning, the required F/As onboard are positioned so that at least one is in the forward cabin at all times.
     

  • Deplaning: For deplaning of all flights, including through flights/intermediate stops, the minimum number of F/As required must remain onboard the aircraft until the entire deplaning process is complete. "While deplaning, you are not permitted to leave to catch your commute flight home."
     

  • The deplaning process is considered complete when all terminating and connecting passengers are off the aircraft, including passengers needing assistance and unaccompanied minors. Source: 14 CFR part 121.391/.393. ( IEM section 3.7-3.7.1.)
     

  • The minimum number of F/As required for all boarding and deplaning can be found on page 3-7 of the IEM.
     

  • Boarding AB 321: The boarding positions for this a/c is clearly stated in the IEM on pg13-5. Each required flight attendant must be "near" their assigned doors/jump seat position.

Targeted Training. Can be required for the f/a who was involved in an ISD (Inadvertent Slide Deployment) or a flight attendant who was not proficient in completing to a satisfactory level a module in recurrent training. There are always two instructors in targeted training with the flight attendant. In the ISD situation the flight attendant and an instructor would go over door operations and procedures. If the flight attendant is unsuccessful in not passing a module in recurrent training and also unsuccessful in the retake later that day. Then he/she will be scheduled for Targeted Training asap (in most cases the very next day). When the flight attendant returns for Targeted Training a good amount of time is spent going over the specific subject matter/module before the f/a is asked to perform the specific task or is tested.

  • All flight attendants are responsible for reporting safety items whether they are part of the working crew or not. Safety is everyone's responsibility.
     

  • Blue latex gloves ARE our new gloves in our SEPs. They don't have to be white or clear. Two pairs of gloves are required in each SEP pouch. The gloves do NOT have to be wrapped.
     

  • When doing the life vest demonstration you must open the storage bag and remove the vest. Hold the vest up and pull over head. Lean forward, bring strap around front and snap ends together. Tighten strap around waist. Show automatic and manual inflation method. (14 CFR Part 121.573) . This must be repeated in its' entirety with a complete 2nd demo vest, including pulling from the pouch, if you are the f/a responsible for doing the demo between two cabins.
     

  • B737/400- F/C Galley without doors: Nothing should be stored in this area/ compartment ( comp 2-3,2-4,2-6,2-7) unless it is housed in carriers. The carriers must be in pairs and always side by side (adjacent to one another). Storing of items that are NOT in carriers is unsafe and must be stopped immediately!

As always, "Safety is the Ultimate Service"

Thank You,

Barrington Johnson
MEC Safety, Health & Security Committee Chair
BJohnson@afausairways.org

AFA/CWA SASH committee representative's

Useful Safety Links:

AFA National Office Website:
http://www.afanet.org/

AFA Air Safety, Health and Security Department (ASHSD)
http://ashsd.afacwa.org/index.cfm

Self Defense Training:
http://www.tsa.gov/lawenforcement/programs/
self_defense_cmsd_programs.shtm

 

2009 AFA US Airways Safety, Health & Security Committee