B737-700
Flight Attendant Current
Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure; Workload
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Procedure
This is a constant issue facing flight crews today. I have previously written a report regarding the unsafe pressures of the new on time departure initiative and will submit another one for this event. I arrived at the gate for our originating flight about 32 minutes before departure. The Operations Agent welcomed me and checked my ID. He then asked if he could send the unaccompanied minor down with me. I told him '....no; I still have to get on the plane. Stow my belongings. Check the emergency equipment and do a security sweep. We will need about 4-5 minutes...' He replied; '....The other crewmembers will probably do your checks for you....and if I give you a few minutes you are going to be late....' I told him 'I was sorry if it caused a delay; but these were mandatory and necessary procedures that needed to be accomplished before we even start boarding....'. He then told me again '.....well; then you are going to be late....'. I then asked for the extra time again and proceeded down the jetbridge. There was no extra time for a briefing with the pilots. Even though I completed checking my equipment and security sweep necessary for preflight; I feel this procedure to get the plane out early or on time is creating an unsafe atmosphere; pressure to perform at an unrealistic pace; and creating friction between inflight and ground personnel. Flight crews NEED adequate time to mindfully perform necessary and safety related checks. The pressure to quickly do these procedures needs to stop before an unfortunate event makes us have to rethink the procedures anyway.
A B737 Flight Attendant reported a Gate Agent threatened a delay to their flight was possible if he did not take an unaccompanied minor on the aircraft after he refused because it was the first flight of the day and time was needed for security checks and crew briefing.