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SER forms and your Safety
Committee
The company has issued the SER forms for flight attendant use to
describe various safety related events in detail. The SER forms are
key, to finding out what went right and what went wrong. Giving
accurate detail of your actions, allows the Company, Training,
Policy & Procedures and Legal departments as well as the FAA, and
union representatives to protect the flight attendant. The problem
is, flight attendants aren't including the AFA Safety Committee in
the loop. When possible, make a copy of your SER form, and forward
it to your local base Safety committee. Hopefully, in the future the
union and the company will agree to allow the committee to have
access to your SER reports. Until that time, we need a copy of your
reports to investigate your particular situation. Unless the company
receives an SER for your event, in their eyes it didn't happen.
Friendly Safety Reminders…
Make it a habit to always check your jumpseat to see it's in working
order when doing your preflight equipment check. Please remember the
direct-view jumpseat on the Airbus aircraft HAS to snap into the lav
wall AND lock in place. It is too late to do something about it when
you are next for takeoff and it doesn't work.
Remember the window cushions on the 737-400 at the windows must be
the small short cushions. They cannot be replaced by any other type
of cushion on the aircraft. If you need a replacement cushion and
none is available, you will have to block that seat for passenger
use until it can be replaced. Please remove the cushion so
passengers won't use it, and notify the C/O.
Ladies purses are the "personal" item they are allowed to carry. It
does count as a carry-on. It is not an exempt item. It is never to
be held or placed in the seat with the passenger. At the bulkhead
rows they must be placed in the overhead for taxi, takeoff and
landing.
As more of us go through the "Transition Training", make your self a
cheat sheet to tape to the wall for the new door operating
procedures. As you get used to the wording and procedures you will
be more comfortable with it. This new procedure does work.
Pets must remain in the carriers under the seats at all times. A
written letter from a doctor is the only exclusion to this rule.
This letter must state the animal is for emotional support only. As
always, assistance animals such as seeing-eye dogs, police dogs, and
search and rescue animals may be out of the carrier, but must be
seated at the bulkhead rows, as long as it is not an emergency exit.
The wheelchair on the 757 must be strapped down behind row 25(If
there are no straps, notify the C/O and if not at a maintenance base
where you can get straps then the chair must be placed in the front
closet until you can get them). On the Airbus A/C the wheelchair
must be folded correctly to fit in the bag completely. Follow the
instructions on the bag if you have any concerns. The chair, when
properly stowed within the bag must be placed under the rear middle
seat, aircraft right. At no time is it just to be placed behind the
row without going underneath the seat.
Computers and drink containers are to be placed on the floor, not in
the seat pocket for taxi, takeoff and landing. Follow the normal
bulkhead procedures if passengers are seated there with these items.
Proper lighting for demonstration, departure video, and cabin checks
need to be addressed. Lights need to be of sufficient lighting when
conducting cabin checks prior to takeoff and landing. As always,
cabin lighting must be on bright when boarding and deplaning. Refer
to the FAEM for your particular A/C if you are unsure of the
procedures.
Please refrain from using coffee bags for any other purpose other
than brewing coffee. Any other use poses potential safety and health
risks.
Please do not cook personal food items in the ovens on all aircraft.
Catering provides the proper containers to heat up passenger meals.
We have had an increase of cabin oven mishaps lately, and this
situation needs to be addressed during your initial pre-flight
briefings.
Make sure your FAEM is up to date. Place any revisions in your
manual as you receive them. If you are inspected by the FAA, they
may make you place the revisions in your manual, if you haven't done
so prior to departure. Remove the staple if any on all alert
bulletins, when revising your manual. An up to date manual contains:
- Revisions: 42 through 45
- Alert Bulletins: 04-2006 &
01-2007 through 03-2007
- International Manual May 2006
In light of all of the recent
incidents pertaining to air quality, we remind everyone to write up
the incident on an SER. Make a copy and place in your local AFA SHS
committee mailbox. There are other reporting tools at your disposal
also. NASA-ASAP forms may be found in each domicile for your
disposal. The CWA-AFA website also has a reporting system on their
website found under the ASHSD page. Air Quality incidents can be
reported on a specific form. This aids AFA in compiling a
significant database for all AFA carriers, not just USAirways. This
website is located at:
http://www.ashdi.com/afaIndex.cfm.
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 |
