New Year Safety Resolution

FAM – § 121.137(b) – Distribution & Availability

Your FAM must be updated prior to each duty period. If it is lost or stolen, you must obtain a loaner and verify it is current. You could be fined up to $1,100 per leg per day you flew not in compliance.

Recommendation:
File an ASAP if you flew any leg out of compliance or without your FAM.

Flashlight – § 121.549(b) – Flying Equipment

Each crewmember shall, on each flight, have readily available for their use a flashlight that is in good working order.

Recommendation:
ASAP if you flew any leg out of compliance.

Preflight Checks – § 121.571 – Briefing Passengers Before Takeoff

Safety Information Cards (SICs)-F/As must verify that each seat has one, with the correct country of origin. If any are missing, follow procedures, but every exit row seat must be verified. Do not defer missing or incorrect SICs to the next station, as this violates the FAR.

Recommendation:
Safety Time Out, followed by an ASAP report.

Boarding – § 121.394(a)(1)(i) – Flight Attendant Requirements During Passenger Boarding

During passenger boarding, on each airplane for which more than one flight attendant is required by § 121.391, the certificate holder may reduce the number of required flight attendants by one, provided that:

• The flight attendant that leaves the aircraft remains within the immediate vicinity of the boarding door
• The flight attendant only conducts safety duties related to the flight being boarded
• The airplane engines are shut down
• At least one floor-level exit remains open for passenger egress

Recommendation:
FIR and ASAP reports.

Monitoring Bags – § 121.589(a) – Carry-On Baggage

Recommendation:
FIR when guests board with multiple bags.

Appearing Intoxicated – § 121.575 – Alcoholic Beverages

In 2025, the FAM was updated to require a GSC for these and threatening incidents, not a CRO. A CRO applies only to disabilities or medical situations.

The word “APPEARING” is crucial — one symptom is enough to justify concern. Saying “we just won’t serve them” violates the FAR.

Recommendation:
FIR and ASAP reports.

Exit Row – § 121.585 – Exit Seating

Includes:
a) not briefed before departure
b) not meeting requirements
c) responsible for minors or caregivers of those seated elsewhere
d) remaining in exit row when ineligible

Recommendation:
ASAP reports even if brought into compliance to determine root cause and prevent future recurrence.

Lap Children & CRS – § 121.311(b)

Includes:

• Not checking CRS labels
• Lap child over the age of 2
• Seat belt around parent and child
• Use of booster seat in flight
• Use of belly belt during taxi, takeoff, or landing

Recommendation:
FIRs for GAs not checking CRS, and ASAP reports even if brought into compliance to determine root causes and prevent future recurrence.

Bins & Bags, Door Closure – § 121.589(b) – Carry-On Baggage

No certificate holder may allow all passenger entry doors of an airplane to be closed in preparation for taxi or pushback unless at least one required crewmember has verified that each article of baggage is stowed in accordance with this section and § 121.285(c) and (d).

Recommendation:
ASAP report.

F/A Out of Jumpseat for Taxi, Takeoff, or Landing – § 121.391(d)

During taxi, flight attendants required by this section must remain at their duty stations with safety belts and shoulder harnesses fastened except to perform duties related to the safety of the airplane and its occupants.

F/As are to immediately take their jumpseats and buckle in after the DEMO. You are in violation if you are up and about in the galley or going to the lavatory.

Recommendation:
ASAP.