Experience 058. Arm doors and cross check. Inflight safety checks.

The Seat 1A Podcast

In this experience we look into what happens during inflight checks. We hear those announcements "the crew are doing their checks." What does this mean? And what about "arm doors and cross check"?

Before passengers are even allowed to board the flight a crew has to do preflight checks - the previous crew has left the plane and has not checked items when they left. The minimum equipment list has to be met. One thing the staff is checking is safety equipment - like batteries, fire extinguishers and flashlights. Things have to be replaced that passengers may have taken. Coordination occurs with mechanic teams and groomers. The emergency slide has to be checked. If there are life vests, each seat has to be checked. The on-board medical equipment is another item that needs to be checked. In some cases there's a life raft which can take a bit of work to check.

It's easy to replenish an aircraft at an airline's home base. Downline at a remote station is another story. What happens if certain branded equipment or food may not be available?

First flight of the day US safety checks have their own challenges. Vinod had to once complete an entire 737 by himself.

What if a crew times out, or hands over? Has the plane been left unattended? What happens with inoperable seats? What's happening in the flight deck for checks? How are the catering and service levels? How is the lavatory? And if a plane is turning back the same day from a remote station, is there enough food for the return? Vinod shares an experience with checks in Cuba.

It's not just the plane being checked - it's also staff. Is everyone in good flying condition and in proper uniform? Does everyone have their appropriate manuals with them?

Vinod reviews what arm doors and cross check means and shares a story of a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles.

News Items:

• ch-aviation.com article "Croatia's ETF Airways on war path with Bremen Airport."
• simpleflying.com article "Auckland Airport Baggage Handlers Arrested In A Major Drug Bust."
• simpleflying.com article "Why easyJet Does Not Operate Flights Where Trains Are 3 Hours Or Less."
• simpleflying.com article "Football Fans Stop LATAM Plane Departing After Flight Cancelation."

If you have a story about inflight checks, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/