The spring and summer increased travel period will soon be upon us. With this comes many operational challenges and we want to review our primary function, which is on board safety and security.
With this in mind, our priority during boarding is not to set up for service but to be present in the cabin.
Your mental health is important. We know some members prefer arriving at the airport early so as not to be rushed. This does not mean that you should check in earlier than required, which increases the amount of work you are unpaid for. Grab a coffee, chat with colleagues and do something relaxing to set yourself up for a good flight.
Some reminders:
1) Your typical duty period starts 1 hour prior to departure on narrow-body flights, however on widebody flights you will be required to report earlier up to a maximum of 1:30 prior to departure. Please refer to ePub, “Availability & Reporting for Duty” to find out the reporting time for specific widebody aircraft types. The employer is within their right to have you start earlier than 1 hour prior to departure (up to a maximum of 1:30 prior), as per Article B5.03, and this time is compensated as per Article 5.08 (pre/post ground duty pay). You are not required to start any duties prior to the start of your duty period – not at the communications centre, not on the bus to the airport, not on the aircraft.
2) If there is a safety transmittal or insert, you are required to read and insert this prior to boarding the aircraft if using a paper manual. If using an electronic manual, you must ensure your device has the most up-to-date version of the FAM and that it is charged to at least 75%. You are then required to log into ePub and acknowledge receipt of the new transmittals/inserts.
3) Your manual includes many safety duties that are required to be completed prior to, and during boarding of passengers. These include but are not limited to:
- Ensure crew briefings occur.
- Verifying the CDL and informing crew of inop or unavailable equipment.
- Stow your baggage in approved locations.
- Ensure Emergency Positions & Equipment checklist (ACF631) is filled out, reviewed, and submitted to the Captain.
- All safety and emergency equipment is available, accessible and functional (If first flight of the day submit to captain).
- Ensure your jumpseat is functional before ever flight (sit and fit)
- Verifying status of 737 girt bar
- Verify Wi-Fi
- Verify IFE system and screens are functional
- Window blinds at doors, emergency exits and overwing exits must be open or set to clear
- Verify inflatable seatbelts
- Verify position and proper number of medipaks (if applicable)
- Ensure that P.A. is functional.
- Water tanks are full and waste tanks have been serviced.
- Safety features cards should be checked to ensure they correspond to the aircraft and FAM.
- Safety demo equipment (video and manual) is available and ready to use.
- All circuit breakers should be checked.
- Stay alert for security risks and conduct visual inspection of the cabin, galleys/catering, OFAR and lavatories. This includes tamper-evident seals.
- If a Medipak is boarded, make sure it is in its specified location and confirm with the Captain.
- Ensure galley and service equipment is secured and operative (includes checks for half-size cart extension, ovens/bun warmers and wheelchairs).
- Ensure door areas are clear and available for emergency use. Monitor for hazardous conditions.
- Ensure cabin curtains are open and secure.
- Assist in clearing aisles and directing passenger baggage stowage during boarding.
- Maintaining requirements for fuelling onboard if applicable.
- Address seat duplication issues
- Securing the cabin
Every time you get on board, ask yourself this question… are we placing safety first?
We must be mindful of the value that our work represents and always remain focused on safety. Look after one another, report safety and security issues as required using company reporting tools and remember the one crew concept. If you feel safety is taking a back seat, say so!
If we are to be truly Safety First, this must always be our guiding principle – not just pretty words.
Doing this brings us all closer to our goal of asserting our value and negotiating for what is rightfully ours.
In solidarity,
