Flight Attendant Current
Situational Awareness; Communication Breakdown; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
General None Reported / Taken
Company Policy; Human Factors; Environment - Non Weather Related
On taxi; final walk-through; as the #2 FA; I noted a passenger who would not wear his mask. The passenger stated that he had asthma. I asked if he had noted that to the gate agent and was he on the list for medical exemption. I walked to first class; reviewed paperwork and had borrowed the #3's tablet as it was closer to me. After speaking to the passenger; I went back up to first class to return #3's tablet. Clearly; I didn't process that the Captain had made the prepare for takeoff PA and found myself in the FWD galley for takeoff. In over 20 years; I have never had this happen to me; I was positively stunned that I wasn't in my jumpseat for takeoff. The #1 and #3 stated that I should stay where I was as an attempt to run to my jumpseat during takeoff could injure myself or our passengers. The personal sense [of] fear; shock and embarrassment I am experiencing over not being in my jumpseat for takeoff will more than likely make me hyper vigilant to this issue. In addition; I will place more emphasis on situational awareness and pay greater attention to PAs being made; stopping what I am doing to pay attention to what is being communicated. Recent global events (COVID-19 pandemic) policy and procedural changes in concert with related stressors involved have been dis-regulating; thus placing a greater emphasis on being present and aware in the moment; the gradual adjusting to new procedures (mask wearing) should also prevent re-occurrence of this FAR violation.
Flight Attendant reported being distracted with having to verify that a passenger had a medical condition and therefore did not have to wear a mask. During the distraction the Flight Attendant missed the Captain's PA 'prepare for takeoff' and was not seated as the flight departed.