MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Attendant Current
Troubleshooting; Training / Qualification; Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Aircraft; Procedure
I was a non-revenue on this flight. I was assigned the a cabin jumpseat which is located; Aft Entry Door jumpseat-right hand side. I was the last passenger to board. I notified the #1 and #4 Flight Attendants that I would be occupying the aft door jumpseat with the #2 Flight Attendant. The Agent closed the aircraft door and the #1 announced; 'Flight attendants prepare for departure.' I proceeded to the back of the aircraft. I notified the #2 Flight Attendant I would be sharing the aft jumpseat with her. The flight attendants began the manual safety demo. When I pulled down the aft jumpseat; I could not locate any of the seatbelts. I looked under the jumpseat. All four seatbelts in their plastic casings were bolted to the door and laying on the aircraft floor. I had never experienced this before. I was able to perch all four seatbelts on the back of the jumpseat. The male end of the seatbelt on my side of the jump seat (right-hand side) would not extend from the plastic casing. The #2's seatbelt worked well. Unfortunately; because my male end seatbelt would not extend; I strapped in using the shoulder harnesses' only for both take-off and landing. I notified the #2 about the lack of the seatbelt functioning properly.
A jumpseating Flight Attendant reported that only one aft cabin door jumpseat lap belt was operable on an MD-80 so she used the shoulder harness alone for takeoff and landing.