Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Other / Unknown; Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Security; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Passenger Misconduct
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors
This occurred on our second passenger leg. We had 10 passengers and no flight attendant. Our Flight Attendant flew the prior passenger leg with us and offered to extend in order to cover the next passenger leg. Her request was denied by scheduling and she was sent home. This was a FAR 135 trip. I conducted the passenger briefing in accordance with the fleet memo. I also received an email telling me to turn off the galley power prior to the flight. Doing so shuts off all power to the convection oven; hot cup; coffee makers and lavatory faucet; but does NOT disable the microwave. To disable the microwave requires pulling its circuit breaker located in the baggage area. In the interest of safety I elected to pull that breaker even though our company does not have a procedure for doing so without a maintenance write-up. At the end of the flight I discovered that the passenger had served themselves alcohol from the galley; which is illegal under FAR 135. I also have serious safety concerns regarding the use of the crystal glasses and stemware as well as the china. We carry a full set of silverware to include chef's knives that could very easily hurt someone. We were unable to ensure that we had a secured cabin prior to landing on this short and crowded flight. Until there is an approved procedure for disabling the microwave oven and securing the breakable china and crystal as well as the silverware and alcohol; we should no longer conduct passenger flights in this fleet without a flight attendant on board for obvious safety and legal concerns. This puts the pilots in a potentially dangerous situation and also puts our airman certificates at risk; not to mention exposing the company to potential risk. Since these flights are being conducted with increasing frequency I have decided to refuse any future passenger leg without a flight attendant as I have serious concerns for my safety and my airman certificate.
G-IV Captain reports flying ten passengers under FAR 135 without a flight attendant on board. After landing the reporter discovers that the passengers helped themselves to some of the amenities on board and had access to knives in the galley.