B737-800
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Human Factors; Procedure
During boarding I had a pre-boarding passenger arrive at the aircraft door with her walker in front of her requesting assistance. I stepped off the aircraft in the immediate vicinity of the door to clear the walker away that was impeding her path and assisted her into the cabin. Immediately following her; an FAA officer boarded and showed me his badge. He informed me that I was incorrect in assisting her and was not allowed to step off the aircraft and that I needed to consult my manual. During the course of the flight I consulted my manual along with fellow crew members and found 14 CFR Part 121.391; 14 CFR Part 121.394.'Prior to and at the beginning of boarding; a minimum of three Flight Attendants for B737-700 aircraft and four Flight Attendants for B737-800/MAX8 aircraft must be onboard. During the Passenger boarding process; one Flight Attendant may deplane; for safety-related reasons only; provided: The Flight Attendant who deplanes must remain within the immediate vicinity of the door through which Passengers are boarding. Flight Attendants remaining onboard the aircraft must be evenly distributed near the floor-level exits. The aircraft engines are shut down. At least one floor-level exit remains open for Passenger egress. Safety-related reasons for which a Flight Attendant can briefly deplane the aircraft during boarding include; but are not limited to the following: Medical emergencies; Aircraft emergencies; Urgent safety issues that require immediate action.'My understanding; reading the above; was that I was allowed to help the passenger because getting her safely into the aircraft was an issue; and I was in the immediate vicinity of the aircraft door. If my understanding is incorrect; please correct me. I am submitting a report to this same effect. Just a clarification on what to do with wheelchair passengers requiring assistance in the jetway when their safety is in question.
Flight Attendant reported being reprimanded by an FAA Officer for assisting a passenger in the jetway.