B737 Next Generation Undifferentiated
Flight Attendant Current
Situational Awareness
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Flight Crew Overcame Equipment Problem; Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Company Policy; Procedure; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part
This is in relation to a crew bulletin. During taxi-out I realized both aft galley supplemental O2 drop mask doors were sealed shut with security tape. Having experience with this known safety issue I immediately contacted the Flight Attendant and Captain. We all three agreed I (Flight Attendant C) would simply break the security tape freeing both O2 door compartments so they would deploy if needed. Although I received full permission from the crew; this action is technically a maintenance procedure hence this report. Not having a procedure to verify active O2 compartments are in working order. Because we do not check this during preflight if there is something wrong it is either not discovered or found after we have departed the gate. I suggest we ensure Maintenance is NOT sealing these doors shut. Also; add a visual inspection of active O2 masks compartments to the list of flight attendant preflight checks. This would be a cross-check of Maintenance and would catch the issue before departure.
A B737 Flight Attendant discovered an aft galley supplemental oxygen mask panel locked with security tape during taxi and with the Captain's permission cut the tape before takeoff. No preflight procedure in place to check oxygen panel conditions.