9.09.22 – Helpful Reminders from the APFA Safety & Security Department

Friday, September 9, 2022

Helpful Reminders from the APFA Safety & Security Department

Every month the APFA Safety and Security Department receives data on developing and consistent trends in safety from the Company and the Cabin ASAP ERC (Event Review Committee). Based on recent data, we would like to provide you with some helpful reminders and tips:

Safety Demo/Aircraft Equipped with PRAM (737/Airbus)
and Taking Your Assigned Jumpseat

FAR 121.571 requires that a crew member qualified on the aircraft type perform a safety demonstration prior to each ‘Takeoff,” including diverted and thru flights where no new customers board. Thru flights may not be as common, but diverted flights are one of the many events our operation is faced with weekly and daily. Even for diverted flights where no new customers board, for every takeoff, a safety demonstration must be performed.

Regarding the PRAM, please keep in mind that for all aircraft equipped with an operative PRAM, all 4 Flight Attendants must participate in the safety demonstration. The only time it is permissible per AA’s policies and procedures to not participate in the safety demonstration for aircraft equipped with a PRAM is if the PRAM is inoperative. In that case, the lead flight attendant or (FA 1) may read the safety demonstration PA. Please report all cabin write-ups to the Captain and complete a FA Report using your EFB.

Additionally, an uptick in reports indicating crew members not being in their assigned jumpseats for takeoff and landing has been brought to our attention. Please remember to refer to your station assignment chart for your position’s assigned jumpseat, especially when flying on an aircraft that may be new to you.

Minimum Crew Requirements

Per Section 4.29.1 Minimum Crew Overview in the IFM. FAR 121.391, FAR 121.393, and FAR 121.394, states on both originating and thru flights, minimum crew must be onboard for boarding to help always ensure the safety of customers and crew members during the boarding process. Minimum crew requirements must be met any time customers are onboard, FA 1/Purser is responsible for ensuring all minimum crew requirements are met. When an Unaccompanied Minor or UM is present, please be sure not to depart the aircraft early while customers are still on board to hand off the UM to the gate agent. Please keep UM(s) onboard until post-flight duties can be completed, and then proceed with the UM(s) for an agent or ground personnel handoff. This will help to avoid any potential or future minimum crew violations.

Hot Cabin Reminders

The Summer season may be ending, but warm weather is still very much present across the system. When faced with a hot cabin scenario before boarding or an inoperative APU, please refer to Sec 3.3.2 Guidelines for Boarding a Warm Aircraft in the IFM. Also, any time these procedures are followed due to an increased cabin temperature or if the APU is inoperative, please document these events with a Cabin ASAP report > Hot Cabin and a CERS report. If believed to have experienced heat exhaustion from one of these events, please file an Injury on Duty (IOD).

Code N*ARR911 and N*DEP911 in DECS/mobileCCI 

This is a helpful code that will provide all local emergency contact information for any destination, whether domestic or international. If you ever need to use one of these phone numbers while on layover, please get in touch with AA IOC Daily Operations or APFA Safety & Security to inform them of any unfolding situation or event. This will help us provide additional support and keep everyone informed.

• AA IOC Daily Ops: 682-315-7070
• APFA Safety & Security: 817-540-0108, ext. 8302

Cabin ASAP Reporting

Reporting through the Cabin ASAP program is our most efficient and effective tool for promoting change. Cabin ASAP promotes safety through the following essential steps:

• Identifying hazards (most critical)
• Analyzing risks
• Accomplishing corrective solutions
• Validating and verifying effectiveness
• Educating and increasing employee awareness
• Measuring overall system performance
• Ensuring a continuing system of accountability

We also are proud to announce that APFA Safety & Security has a new website. Check it out and refer to it for newly updated information and helpful links for all things Safety & Security. apfa.org/departments/safety-security-department/

In Solidarity,

Andrew Rhinehart
APFA National Safety & Security Department Interim Chair
[email protected]

Barrington Johnson
APFA Cabin ASAP Event Review Committee
[email protected]