B737-800
Flight Attendant Current
Troubleshooting; Time Pressure; Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Workload
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural MEL / CDL; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Maintenance Action
Aircraft; Incorrect / Not Installed / Unavailable Part; Procedure; MEL
I was made aware by the A [Flight Attendant] that we only had three of our four required emergency checklists for both ditching and land emergency evacuations. As a crew we determined this to be a 'no-go' issue; so the A requested one each of the checklists that were missing. We were initially informed that the station didn't have any. Immediately upon being informed of the situation; the Captain became very agitated and began questioning the A as to why we needed the checklists. After an explanation was attempted; the Captain; again in a very agitated manner; proceeded to get on his cell and call the Chief Pilot. As a crew; we checked the manual to confirm that we were correct in our understanding that we had to have four on board and confirmed this to be accurate; to the best of our interpretation. Someone also called for an Inflight Supervisor to come to the gate; but I am not exactly certain which of the crew made that call. A Supervisor did arrive and informed us that they were looking for one; but she had been informed that we were ok using our [tablets] in the event they couldn't find one. At no point up to this time did I feel like anyone considered this more than an annoyance and an unnecessary interruption to their abilities to board the plane for an on time departure. I was even threatened with termination of my job after I said I would not fly if we didn't have the proper equipment. We as Flight Crew are already on high alert where safety and security was concerned; we all felt like no one else cared about anything else but the flight being delayed. I have never felt less supported or more pressured by a Captain in my time of flying. When all was said and done; they found additional copies in the training room; which was what we had recommended about 20 minutes prior.
Flight Attendant reported a required checklist was missing and was found to be non MELable. This caused a breakdown in crew communications and a delay.