FAA INSPECTIONS
Questions & Answers
Q- What is the most important thing to
remember about an FAA inspection?
A- Be polite and follow the procedures in your manual.
Q- Who can conduct FAA Inspections?
A- Any FAA inspector with credentials called 110A's may perform FAA
Inspections.
Q- What does a 110A look like?
A- It will have the picture of the inspector and will have the letters
"110A."
Q- Must the inspector show these credentials?
A- The inspector must show these credentials to the captain and if
performing a cabin inspection will show the credentials to the flight attendant
in charge of the cabin.
Q- What should I do when people say they are
FAA inspectors or imply they are FAA inspectors and yet I have not seen their
credentials?
A- Ask to see their credentials
Q- Should I make a note of the inspectors'
name?
A- Yes, you should note this on your trip report and you should also keep a
copy of the name for your personal records.
Q- Can inspectors sitting in the cockpit
report on cabin safety matters?
A- Yes, and many of them do.
Q- Must I answer the inspector's questions?
A- Yes, answer them according to the procedures in your manual.
Q- Must I demonstrate equipment in front of
passengers?
A- No, you can tell the inspector how to use the equipment or offer to
demonstrate the equipment once you get on the ground.
Q- What if the inspector is getting in the way
and impeding a flight attendant in the performance of duties?
A- Politely tell the inspector that you will be glad to work with him/her
later, but right now you have to complete your required duties.
Q- What if the inspector continues to
interfere with a flight attendant's duties?
A- The flight attendant should immediately tell the captain. The crew
should make sure that the airline and FAA are made aware of the situation.
Q- What if the inspector indicates there is a
problem?
A- Many times inspector's will make constructive comments and nothing will
happen; however, the crewmember should still make a not of it.
Q- What if the inspector indicates that a
flight attendant may have violated a Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR)?
A- The flight attendant should not argue. If the flight attendant
thinks there are special circumstances then the flight attendant should very
simply and politely tell the inspector about those circumstances.
Q- What other actions should the flight
attendant take when the inspector indicates there is a possible violation of
regulation?
A- The flight attendant should get as much information about the possible
violation as possible. For example, if the inspector gives a reference to
a specific FAR. All of this should be written down.
Q- Then what?
A- The flight attendant should notify an AFA safety representative as soon
as possible.
Q- What else should the flight attendant do?
A- The flight attendant should write down all she/he can remember about the
alleged violation and make sure a copy of this is given to the AFA safety
representative and that the flight attendant keeps a copy.
Q- What would be a good summary of what a
flight attendant should do if the flight attendant thinks he/she may be charged
with a violation?
A- Don't panic. Be polite. Be objective. Get as much
information as possible. Write things down. Notify their AFA safety
representative.
Q- What else will happen?
A- An investigation will be conducted. It is quite possible nothing
will happen.
Q- Will the flight attendant get any sort of
formal notification?
A- The flight attendant will receive a formal letter of investigation.
It is important that the AFA safety representative receive a copy of this.
Q- What is the most common sanction the FAA
takes against flight attendants?
A- A letter will be sent to the airline that requests the airline take some
sort of action. This is usually some time off without pay and a letter in
the file.