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Flight Deck Safety

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Aug 10 - When performing our duties to relieve one of the on-duty pilots from the Flight Deck and while acting as the second person in the flight deck, we continue to address questions and concerns from Flight Attendants about masks, or the lack thereof, while in the pilot’s workspace.

We have seen first-hand the importance in taking the multi layered, necessary steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Working together, our collective efforts have directly contributed to the rebound of the travel industry while, at the same time, keeping all of our fellow employees safe.

When performing our duties to relieve one of the on-duty pilots from the Flight Deck and while acting as the second person in the flight deck, we continue to address questions and concerns from Flight Attendants about masks, or the lack thereof, while in the pilot’s workspace.

While the pilots DO have a waiver enabling them to remove their mask in the Flight Deck, they are required to wear it when they leave the Flight Deck and enter the main cabin (our workspace) of the aircraft.

We know for many of us, being in a closed space with others who are not wearing a mask may be uncomfortable and can even leave you feeling unsafe. The best way to address this is proactively; that is, during your pre-flight briefing with the pilots.  We encourage you to discuss expectations and get on the same page about what the plan is. If you do have concerns, advocate for yourself in requesting the pilots wear a mask while you are present; keeping in mind they are not required to do so.

Should a pilot have concerns about adequately performing their duties while wearing a mask and are unable or unwilling to do so, Flight Attendants should utilize one of the N95 masks provided in the customer care kit on board the aircraft to wear prior to, and during a required visit to the Flight Deck. All exchanges should be handled in a professional manner and, as safety professionals, we should take the necessary steps to complete all of our duties safely.

As always, if you ever have a safety concern and are seeking advice or assistance, file a Safety Incident Report at www.unitedafa.org.