Early Boarding Times

In January 2017, the Air Canada Component of CUPE launched a survey about the practice of starting boarding earlier than posted POS times. The results showed that our members found this challenging and unsafe in many cases.

Once again, the Union is hearing from its members that boarding is starting earlier, and that this is causing difficulties accomplishing the required tasks as well as undue stress during an already stressful time.

We are therefore re-issuing the bulletin on early boarding times, which has been updated.

Safety First Always: our culture, a right and the LAW:

Safety is not negotiated. It is regulated by the Aeronautics Act and the Canada Labour Code Part II. Under SMS, as well as the Canada Labour Code Part II it’s always our duty as cabin crew to report any safety hazards and comply with procedures designed to ensure a safe work environment for our fellow colleagues and customers. It is also the employer’s duty to ensure a safe workplace.

Both SMS and the CLC Part II offer protection from discipline when carrying out safety duties/reporting, as long as they are carried out in good faith.

This means that safety always gets addressed, no corners cut, no exceptions. You should never be pressured to knowingly skip published safety procedures, checks, or go below minimum equipment requirements for any reason including operational pressures – That’s the law.

What to do you do if you feel pressured to skip or rush your checks, briefing or other required safety duties:

• Confidently say that you need more time to complete your mandatory safety duties. The earlier you can communicate this to the right people (Captain, agent etc…) the better.
• If passengers arrive, politely ask them to wait on the bridge.
• If management follows up about a delay related to safety duties, make sure that they understand that. It’s important!
• In-charges should also file the appropriate reports to document any delays. This assists management in supporting you.

Report safety issues related to early boarding:

• If your attention to safety is not respected, report it to the company file a health and safety complaint e-report to ensure that your safety concerns get addressed!

At Mainline:

• Sims.aircanada.ca or ACaeronet > Safety > Submit a safety report/SIMS
  • Sign in using your Aeronet login credentials
  • In the report menu at the top right of the screen, scroll down and select health and safety complaint e-report.
• AC e-reporting app for iOS (Android coming soon)
  • On in-charge iPads
  • Downloadable for FA’s ACAeronet > IFS > ePub > Administrative Procedures > cabin mobility > iMenu

At Rouge:

• Follow e-reporting process as outlined in your PUB.

Safety duties that must be completed prior to boarding passengers 2.10.1/ 2.10.2:

• An In-charge must be assigned if none is present. Gate support personnel / management who are qualified as cabin crew cannot assume the role of in-charge but can act as crew even if they do not have a manual.
• PIC briefing to in-charge must occur. If the in-charge changes, the new IC must receive a PIC briefing and briefing from the outgoing IC.
• Crew positions must be assigned including any gate support or management acting as crew for boarding.
• In-charge/Crew briefing must occur and cover all mandatory elements on the briefing package.

• Cabin Crew carry-on baggage stowed in approved stowage compartments.
• Cabin Defect Log verified by In-Charge and crew informed of inoperative or unavailable equipment.
• Assigned jumpseat checked for serviceability.
• Required pre-flight checks completed.
• Water tanks levels meet required amount for the flight.
• Waste tanks have been serviced.
• Safety features cards correspond to the aircraft.
• Safety Demo kit / Video System accessible and functional.
• Circuit breakers are operative.
• Security inspection, as applicable: Galleys inspected to assess that no suspicious items are found in units/trolleys/ovens/bun warmers.
• Lavatories and cabin are free from packages, unaccounted baggage, notes and other possible security risks.
• Tamper-evident seals in lavatories are in place. If red dots are seen, advise the PIC immediately.
• Medipak required appliances are in specified location and PIC informed that Medipak is onboard or missing.
• Galley equipment secured, latched and operative.
• Door areas are clear and available during boarding for emergency use.
• Emergency Positions and Safety Equipment Checklist submitted to PIC.
• Cabin dividers / curtains opened and secured.
• IFE system ON.
• Video monitors are functional.

Safety duties that must be completed prior to aircraft movement  2.10.7:

• Submit the OSL displaying the Customer Weight & Balance to PIC whenever a non-required jumpseat position is assigned.
• All cabin baggage stowed in designated and approved area before aircraft doors are closed for departure
• Galleys and service equipment stowed and secured.
• Overhead bins and coatrooms closed and latched.
• All doors, exits and aisles free from any obstructions.
• Passenger chair tables stowed, chair backs upright, extendable footrests/leg rests stowed.
• Business Class armrests down.
• 737 and A220 Business Class aisle seat armrests up.
• Large portable electronic devices are turned off and stowed.
• Headsets/earphones, including Bluetooth/wireless headsets are removed for safety video/demo, unless they are connected to the IFE system.
• Passenger seat belts fastened.
• Special Attention Passengers, such as infants, UM’s, etc., briefed
• Overwing window, unmanned door/exit and A321 emergency exit (Doors 2 and 3) passengers briefed.
• Lavatories/Crew rest areas are vacant/free from packages, notes and other
• possible security risks.
• Door, emergency/overwing window exit window blinds opened or dimmed to the “clear” state.
• All passengers have visibility of safety video. Prepare for live safety demo
• as required.
• Personal televisions or cabin screens/video monitors deployed, then stowed
• upon completion of the safety video.
• Boarding music off.
• Wings are free of adhering contamination.
• Windscreens opened if applicable.

Safety Duties that must be completed for cabin secure/door closing 2.10.71:

• All cabin baggage stowed in approved stowage areas;
• Special Attention Passenger, overwing window, unmanned door/exit and
• emergency exit briefings;
• Passengers are seated, and cabins and galleys secured;
• Flight Attendants have confirmed to the In-Charge that all passengers are
• seated and cabins and galleys are secured for Taxi, Take-off and Landing

In solidarity,

Your Air Canada Component of CUPE Health and Safety Committee