GA/FA interaction
 

So... this might not be a Delta specific item, but I figured I'll try here first..

This weekend, on boarding a 757 and sitting in Row 16 (at the Boarding-Entrance), i watched the GA struggled quite a bit trying to get the door closed. The FA was watching it too, and when the GA asked for help the FA just stated: "I can help you open it, but i can't help you close it - get a mechanic if you can't do it".

Can somebody enlighten me on the reasoning of the FA not (beeing able/willing to/allowed to) help?

Just curious :)

Thanks

Union rules?

I believe it has to do with that the door gets secured from outside the aircraft, which requires the GA to finish the closing of the door (at least on the 757). As such, it'd be a problem for the F/A to secure the door shut unless they didn't want to be on the plane.

Well, but on smaller planes like CRJs which can't be reached from the jetbridge once the little ramp is removed, the doors are closed by the FA as well - so a 757 Door is different in a way it can't be securely closed from the inside?

Very different comparison between the 757 and a CRJ. The CRJ (and other regional planes) were designed to be self-loadable from the ground, with the built-in airstairs, etc. The 757 requires a boarding platform (be it a jetway, airstairs, etc.) to load/unload.

IF PMNW FA, then that would be my guess as well.....

well, she was wearing an AFA-Pin, so that guess would be true.. however I can't see the real benefit of not trying to make a flight go out in time, no matter what your affiliation is :)

So, I guess PMDL FAs cannot support unionization? :confused:

Based on a quick Google search it appears that the party responsible for opening/closing aircraft doors is typically a company policy and varies between airlines. It doesn't appear to have anything at all to do with a union.

Because company policy has never been determined by union negotiations?

Company policy is for the GA to open and close the door. I've never seen a FA refuse to help close a door. Boeing aircraft doors can be quite tricky to close if you're not used to them.

In the early '90s, NW had a rash of blown slides. Mainly on the A320 and the DC-10. It was a combination of FAs, ground people, cleaners, mechs and caterers. The doors were clearly marked for "armed" "disarmed" on the doors.

As a result, the company (NW) absolutely forbid the FAs from touching the doors. The only people who were allowed to touch the doors while the plane was being worked were the GAs and pilots.

The FAs were only to "arm" and "disarm" the doors. And in Whiteplains when the DC-9s had the built in forward boarding stairs, we had to "crack" the door for the GA. The forward stairs on the DC-9s have all been deactivated and removed.

As far as I know, the policy hasn't been changed to allow the PMNW FAs to touch the doors to assist a GA.

I have personally witnessed a FA helping a GA opening the door to a Mad Dog. That was back in February of 2008 though.

I had a friend who worked on the E-3 Sentry (AWACS) with me who accidentally deployed the slide...into the aircraft. Rear door was cocked halfway opened and his boot hooked the slide pull/arm cable on the way in. Deployed it into the aircraft. Pinned him up against the lav door as it shot down the main aisle. He took a lot of grief that trip for it naturally :D

I thought Dougie kept a few of them installed for situations like HPN, did DL retire those aircraft now?

Thanks, very informative!