Other Unwanted situation
Weather; Procedure; Company Policy
Our company preaches 'safety first' heavily yet [directs employees to conduct] practices--clearly in an effort to save money--that do not put safety first; such as the procedure at ORD which states: 'AIRCRAFT CAN AND WILL BE DE-ICED AT THE GATE WITH THE JETBRIDGE ATTACHED AND THE MAIN CABIN DOOR OPEN.' Am I really the only person who thinks this is unsafe? How many passengers and/or employees need to get de-icing fluid sprayed in their face before the company changes this procedure? De-icing fluid is toxic. I have already flown with a crewmember who personally knows of someone sprayed with de-icing fluid because of this practice.
A B737 First Officer expressed incredulity at a company directive advising that aircraft 'can and will' be de-iced at the gate with the jetway in place and the passenger door open. He stressed the risk of personal injury; the toxicity of the fluids involved and his belief that the procedure was implemented solely as a cost saving measure with safety relagated to a subordinate concern.