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Please review Section 5-40 of the
FAEM to review company policy and guidelines. Many flight attendants
have recently informed both the Company and AFA of increase abuse in
this matter. Should a passenger refuse to place their pet back into
an approved pet carrier, inform the passenger they are violating
FAR's and further action could be taken upon them if they do not
comply. Remember bringing a pet in a pet carrier must be able to fit
under the seat in front of them, not in the valet closet or worse
yet, a passenger brought on an animal hidden in passengers clothing
without a carrier at all. Inform the captain and determine what, if
any, action should be taken upon arrival to your destination. Always
write up this type of incident and inform AFA of your actions.
Aircraft Lighting
What is the best way to comply with proper A/C lighting? This question
has been bothersome for many flight attendants. Let me explain how the
FAA views aircraft lighting. There must be sufficient lighting onboard
the aircraft for you, the working flight attendant, to be able to
ascertain compliance with required flight attendant duties as mandated
by the FAR's and company policy. When doing pre-flight duties the A/C
lighting needs to be on bright throughout the aircraft. This will
allow you, the working flight attendant to make sure all passengers
have their seatbelts fastened, bags securely stowed, and tray tables
are in the proper position. On approach from a red-eye or while
arriving to your destination at night or early morning, lights must
also be turned to bright to insure proper passenger compliance.
Flight Attendant FAR Violations
FAR violations are on the increase. The FAA has stepped up their cabin
inspections and has found some flight attendants to be in violation.
Many changes are taking place during the transition of the
USAirways/America West merger, as a result we have had many different
policies and procedures that will be modified and/or changed.
Remember, if you are quizzed by an FAA inspector, and you aren't sure
of the answer, look it up in your FAEM. It is very important when you
receive the latest revisions, remember to place them in the required
sections, and read and understand them.
Now that flight attendants carry the FAA mandated and required
certification, it is important for you to understand this
responsibility. Pilots can protect themselves against violations on
their certificate by filling out NASA and ASAP forms. Recently, flight
attendants have also been given the opportunity to participate in the
NASA program. The ASAP program is in the final stages of development
for the flight attendant group and will soon be another tool to
protect you, the working flight attendant, for incurring FAR
violations. As always, if you see an unsafe action, procedure, or
event that needs the attention of this committee, let us know about it
so we can get directly involved.
The new SER forms and your FAA License Number
At present the paper SER (Safety Event Report) forms do not require
your F/A FAA license number. When placing your report online, however,
it does ask for it. Your MEC Safety chair is aware of this and is in
discussions with USAirways management to come up with an understanding
why it would be necessary to provide it in the first place. Should you
have any problems with submitting this information, please provide a
detailed reason to your prospective Safety Chairs at your base so that
procedure can either be modified or changed.
We are also in discussions with the company to provide a box on both
the paper and online form to allow, you the flight attendant, allow
you safety reps to be able to view your report so that we can assist
you with discussions with the company. As of now, unless you provide
your oral and written permission statement to that effect, we do not
have access.
Inadvertent Slide Deployments
2006 was a terrible year for inadvertent slide deployments. While not
all slide deployments are the fault of flight attendants, some are.
The ISD's are not A/C specific, nor are the seniority related.
Therefore, there must be a common thread to this. Beginning last
month, the Company, after an investigation into the cause of the
specific ISD, may issue a "Letter of Warning" to you if you are the
party involved. This letter will stay in your file for the duration of
your career, and may be used against you if you pop another slide.
Bottom line, the company now will use this for grounds of termination
with the company. No more time on the beach... Folks, this is serious.
You need to realize, that as safety professionals, your first and main
concern MUST be passenger safety, then customer service. AFA cannot
stop the company from formulating company policy. This situation now
falls directly on you.
Don't forget to contact
your local Safety Committee!!!
When you are involved in any
incident/accident, remember to also contact your AFA local safety
committee. Your local Safety Rep can assist you in filling out the
required paperwork to the company and debrief you prior to making a
statement to the Company, if necessary. The company may contact AFA
about some incidents, but might not contact us about yours. Copy in
your local AFA safety committee so we may better assist you.
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 |
