B777-200
Flight Attendant Current
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Weather; Company Policy; Procedure
When our crew bus arrived at the remote gate location during a thunderstorm; it was raining so strongly that the area around the parked aircraft looked like a small lake. The bus driver insisted that we leave the bus since he was expected to drive to his next assignment. Half of the crew followed his instructions and walked the 15 feet through the down pour. The remaining crew refused to walk through the storm and cited the presence of lightning to the driver. The bus operator grew impatient and then maneuvered the bus closer to the stairs of the aircraft. After which the last crew members 'only' had to wade a distance of about 6 feet to the stairs. Still a potential dangerous undertaking during a lightning storm; with luggage in both hands while trying to not fall on the slippery air-stairs (Even though the stair case was under a canopy; the rain was blowing sideways and the steps were wet). Once on board we were immediately confronted with a temperature ranging from 86F-89F! The target temperature was set to 74F but the heat did not drop. The Air Marshals (FAM) that had followed us; waited outside under the canopy of the air-stairs; since they also felt it was too hot to get on board. It continued raining so hard; that swells of water were gushing through the rubber part of the air-stairs canopy and the plane's fuselage; causing great amounts of water entering the cabin. The floor at door 2L was soaked so bad; that it seeped into crew members shoes while walking through it. The splashing water was so high; that it entered the outlets near door 2L. One crew-member tried to squeegee out the water with a large serving tray....to no avail. I urged the FAMs to come inside so we could close the door; since the water kept pouring inside the cabin. Now we were basically trapped inside the aircraft at nearly 90F.Using my personal cell phone I called inflight-duty-supervisor and described the situation to her. She took immediate action and instructed a customer service agent to make his way to our remote gate location. CS agent arrived a short while later. He agreed it was 'hot' inside the plane but that he was unable to get it cooled off until the pilots arrived. Purser told him; that we wouldn't be able to board customers until the cabin reached at least 80F. By the time the pilots arrived at the aircraft it was already past the scheduled customer boarding time. Once inside the cockpit; they started to initiate the cooling of the cabin. An aircraft mechanic also arrived at this time. The mechanic informed me; that due to the lightning the ramp was 'closed' and that he wouldn't be leaving the aircraft until it was safe. At the time when the aircraft reached 80F the purser agreed to begin the boarding of customers; who had been waiting in an overcrowded bus just outside for the length of time it took to cool of the aircraft. An unhappy customer later told me; that there was standing room only on the bus; and that he thought it was an 'unreasonable situation.' The heavy rain and lightning had not stopped and continued during passenger boarding. Customers appeared soaking wet; when they entered the aircraft.Concerned for our customer's wellbeing I questioned CS agent about the obvious dangers of customers walking through a rainstorm and lightning. Considering it was not safe for ramp employees I could not fathom how it would be safe for customers? He told me he wasn't aware of any restrictions for customer boarding in these conditions. Not satisfied I phoned the cockpit crew. I told them that I was concerned for our customers walking through these conditions. The pilots agreed and said they would take care of it. Minutes later boarding was halted only to commence with the arrival of the final passengers bus. Once again customers were walking through the rain. I called the cockpit again; asking if the ramp had been opened again. The pilots answer was; that in fact the ramp was still closed. I informed the pilots that boarding hadresumed anyway. Unfortunately; due to the nature of parking at a remote location it appears very difficult for crewmembers to get in contact with any [company] logistical support groups unless the crew uses private communication tools. Boarding was completed and then the cockpit crew made an announcement that we had to still wait for baggage to be loaded; but that this would be 'delayed' due to the ramp being closed.Could I please get clarification what the company's policy is regarding boarding at a gate location that cannot protect customers and crew from the elements of rain and lightning?
Flight Attendant reported being dropped off by the crew bus at a remote gate during a thunderstorm and subsequent passenger boarding when the ramp was closed due to lightning.