Commercial Fixed Wing
Situational Awareness
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown; Inflight Event / Encounter Weather / Turbulence
General None Reported / Taken
Weather; Company Policy
The season for lightning is not [for a few months from now.] Customer service representatives are asked to operate jet bridge to aircraft during severe lightning. The aircraft is parked by a truck. The aircraft has NOT been chocked. The ramp is closed; no ramp personnel outside.Three agents were injured; when a jet bridge was struck by lightning [years ago]. It is unsafe to operate a jet bridge during severe lightning; for the agents; and the customers. The rational is that the jet bridge is grounded. I do not believe that is true; since three agents were hurt during a lightning strike years ago. With the severe lightning and wind; and the aircraft not chocked; the aircraft could move and damage both the jet bridge and the aircraft. It is much safer for the aircraft to be completely parked; chocked and the weather no longer a threat; before opening the door to the passengers. This would protect the customer and the agent operating the jet bridge during severe threat of lightning.
A Gate Agent reported being asked to operate the jet bridge to the aircraft during severe lightning.