B737-900 Flight Attendants reported a fume event during cruise which they described as 'dirty socks'. Three flight attendants experienced physiological symptoms and stated the flight crew should have been more proactive in handling the event.
Synopsis
B737-900 Flight Attendants reported a fume event during cruise which they described as 'dirty socks'. Three flight attendants experienced physiological symptoms and stated the flight crew should have been more proactive in handling the event.
Narrative
Flying on Aircraft X the B and C FAs (Flight Attendants) (working in the aft of cabin) noticed an odor; they both began to feel ill and therefore knew the odor to be that of a fume event. The D and I (A) noticed less effect from the fume event in the FWD cabin. We carefully observed and monitored the guests on the aircraft; especially those in the aft; to see if they felt ill. No guests described being ill. While not feeling great; B and C said they could land the aircraft. We kept the flightdeck alerted to the situation and Operations on the ground was also alerted. We landed the aircraft at XA:03 and were placed in a traffic jam of aircraft waiting to get to gate. And the gate chosen for us had a Company plane occupying it so our wait was quite long - arriving at the gate at XA:38.When a flight has reported to Operations a crew member is feeling ill; the aircraft once landed should immediately be directed to a gate - a 35 minute wait further risks a crews health. This aircraft was boarding and flying again in less than two hours - I question whether a complete safety inspection could have been accomplished in that limited amount of time.
Second reporter narrative
Upon arrival on the aircraft we noticed a disturbing smell. The B and C FAs (Flight Attendants) noticed it and cracked both aft doors. they described the smell as dirty gym sock. Then about half way through the flight; after spending the majority of the time in the aft due to turbulence; the B and C started complaining of headaches and brain fog. The A and I sat back there for about 45-60 minutes to relieve them and let them sit in the forward part of the aircraft. After being back there for that long; I started to feel symptoms of a heavy chest. Our C had gone into the flight deck to use oxygen. When she came out she described feeling as if she couldn't even remember the first half of the flight; but did feel much better after receiving oxygen. Upon landing in ZZZ; we were NOT put straight into a gate to deplane quickly; but we're stuck behind a long line of larger planes with exhaust headed straight into our cabin. As a result of this; I began to feel dizzy sitting in my jump seat. This went on for 30 minutes. I called the flight deck to see if there was an update and they informed me that we would have to 'declare and emergency' in order to get straight to the gate. Which in turn is making me believe that one of the crew would have to feel That bad that it would be an emergency as if what we were already feeling wasn't bad enough. This was unacceptable since we already had crew members that were feeling unwell and symptoms exacerbated by a long line of planes in front of us.After the crew debrief with the Captain and Maintenance; this plane continued to fly to a 100% full flight to ZZZ1; potentially putting more crew and passengers in danger.We should have gone straight to the gate in ZZZ; [they] should have made a gate available instead of sitting on the taxiway for an additional 30 minutes. The plane should have been taken off the line for the problem to be solved; instead of continuing to ZZZ1 harming more crew and passengers.
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Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.