MD-80 Series (DC-9-80) Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Attendant Airline Total 25; Flight Attendant Number Of Acft Qualified On 4; Flight Attendant Total 25; Flight Attendant Type 40
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Aircraft; Weather
There was no APU operative. Cabin temperature was incredibly high. Window shades open; air vents not open. Requested ground air. Never felt it. Cockpit did not seem to care. I got catered late and was rushing to set up what I could for beverage service. I was sweating profusely. Set up what I could; and then performed safety demo and checks. Went to jumpseat and passed out lost consciousness on jumpseat due to heat. I was hot; dizzy confused and then blacked out. I could not perform my safety duties. We crew members should not have to work under such extreme conditions. Several [passengers] felt ill; and I was not in shape for any type of emergency. I drink plenty of water; and was drenched in sweat. Not a good look for an FA performing Safety Demo. If the carrier cannot provide a safe environment; then change procedures for safe cabin temperature for boarding.
Flight was an MD80 that did not have a 'working' APU [and] the plane was NOT hooked up to external air. While the FO went out to check on the getting external air hooked up; the agents boarded a full flight. [Passenger's] were asking for aircraft but there was no relief. It was very stuffy on the ground. About 20 minutes after takeoff the airplane felt comfortable. While waiting for our return flight/plane; FA Number 2 told me he almost passed out on the jumpseat. In my opinion; we never should have boarded until we had external air (of course having a working APU would have been even better).
Two MD80 flight attendants describe boarding a flight in high ambient temperature conditions; without any air conditioning. One Flight Attendant reportedly passed out on the jumpseat during taxi.