Commercial Fixed Wing
Flight Attendant Current
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Procedure
Some days prior to reporting to work; I had read a company communication regarding the current COVID-19 pandemic; which referred to concerns about shared jumpseats as they affected our ability to practice social distancing. The company communication informed staff that they were currently reviewing all possible options for us to remove ourselves from adjoined jumpseats for our health and safety. As I reported to work I reread all more recent communications regarding the matter and could not find an update on the current shared jumpseat policy. We have received an abnormal amount of daily communications purveying constant policy changes throughout the COVID-19 outbreak and I thought it was possible I just missed an update; so I asked the lead Flight Attendant if she had read what the company had decided on. The Lead Flight Attendant told me I was supposed to sit in the first row; passenger seat closest to my aircraft door; as if the jumpseat had been written up as inoperative. Under the impression that this was correct information given to me by a fellow crew member; I did not occupy my shared jumpseat during takeoff and landing; but rather the nearest passenger seat. Upon arrival to our layover hotel I reread all recent company communications yet again and found no such information on the matter. The following morning I reached out to several company and union representatives seeking accurate information on the policy; and found that this action had in fact; not yet been approved by the FAA.All of this being said; I implore the FAA to please; please expedite a review of shared jumpseat policies as it pertains to the COVID-19 outbreak and CDC recommendations for social distancing. Our health and safety is on the line.
Flight Attendant reported having difficulty clarifying the company's current policy on the use of shared jumpseats and social distancing. The Flight Attendant occupied a passenger seat during takeoff and landing; rather than the assigned jumpseat. After the flight; the Flight Attendant found that jumpseat policy changes had not been put in place.