A320
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors; Company Policy; Aircraft; Manuals; Procedure
Originally flight was delayed due to Maintenance; requiring an aircraft swap. Upon completion of our safety equipment check the C FA (Flight Attendant) informed me that the L2 slide did not pass his safety inspection. After going back and checking the L2 slides pressure gauge I could confirm that the pressure gauge was not in the green. As the A FA; I had a discrepancy form written up and I informed the Flight Deck. When Maintenance arrived he checked the gauge on L2 and informed the C and B FA's that; depending on the angle he looked; the gauge looked in the green. Maintenance signed off on the safety of the L2 slide. After the maintenance book was returned the PIC had the Maintenance employee check in with me regarding any other maintenance issues. I asked about the door and was informed that he had already signed off on it. The FA's then took photos of the gauge and the other gauges to show the PIC that the L2 slide was not meeting the safety standards laid out in the FAM (Flight Attendants Manual) 'Pressure gauge should be in green'. I then reiterated that the inflight team didn't feel comfortable or safe with the decision maintenance made. The PIC did not go look at the gauge or call for Maintenance to have another look; he told me that his hands were tied. The PIC then informed me that we either needed to go or call crew scheduling and have ourselves removed from the flight. At this time boarding had already started; without first checking for minimum crew and temperature; at the PIC request. After coordinating with the rest of the inflight team; the decision was made to have ourselves removed because the L2 slide was out of compliance according to the FAM. After calling scheduling an inflight supervisor came to the aircraft to assess the situation. The supervisor took photos of the gauge for operations to make a determination. After a few calls the inflight supervisor brought me into the flight deck; with a director from inflight on speaker phone; and informed me that they had deemed the L2 slide safe enough to fly and that if the inflight team didn't work the flight that it would be considered insubordination; that would lead to disciplinary action; up to termination of employment. Under fear of termination and not being given the option to be replaced on this flight; I decided to work the flight. I will include photos of the L2; R2 and R1 slides.
During pre-flight checks L2 pressure gauge not in green. Notified prior to boarding. Maintenance said 'depends on which way you tilt your head'. No pilot came to back to look at gauge in person. CA (Captain) was on check-ride and FO (First Officer) was on last leg of a 5 day. Captain said either let it go or call CS (Crew Scheduling) to be removed from the flight.All FA (Flight Attendants) agreed that we felt unsafe and proceeded to stop the operation and called CS. Inflight Supervisor came to back (the only other person other than the one Mechanic) to look at gauge in person. Supervisor explained that operations deemed the pressure gauge safe. I asked if the plane would continue to fly as is or if it would be deemed unsafe in SFO to fly. To which she responded she did not know. I was threatened by inflight Supervisor with insubordination and possibly losing my job if I did not work on a plane that I did not feel safe working on. I worked a flight with the L2 pressure gauge not in the green band; knowing it failed a pre-flight check. I know we are supposed to listen to the CA and take their word as the official authority; but I did not by stating I did not feel safe flying on that plane.Update the manual to state 'pressure gauge close to the green band' or 'on the black line or in the green'. Instruct mechanics to not say 'tilt your head' as that does not suggest absolute certainty. Instruct pilots to visibly check the item that is at great discussion.
A320 cabin crew reported passenger entry door slide bottle pressure gauge not in green band and threatened with employment termination.