Air carrier Flight Attendants reported a passenger inadvertently left a Lithium battery in checked baggage. After much delay and communication the flight departed with a Hazmat violation.
Synopsis
Air carrier Flight Attendants reported a passenger inadvertently left a Lithium battery in checked baggage. After much delay and communication the flight departed with a Hazmat violation.
Narrative
During boarding passenger reported to us that he had inadvertently left a lithium battery item in his checked baggage and that he was concerned. We reported in turn to Captain and put a note in the company app to alert gate agent per our SOP - see: Dangerous Goods.Later on; we got a response from Manager saying we were good to go. Per Wing tips the battery was checked and is fine.Then Ramp Supervisor comes up to the flight deck to say Nobody actually checked the bag or the lithium battery device and that he would go check it himself and report in person to the Captain. So I communicate this to the lovely gate agents who r working the flight in person since they were at boarding doorMeanwhile we r having an issue with a pet that is not contained in bag- and trying to help that customer and relocate PAX (Passenger) and animal.We have asked Captain and gate agent for a manager per our SOP - since we have requested 3 times that PAX contain animal and stow it.Then Airport Supervisor comes on and says that since the PAX and animal have crossed over the threshold of the aircraft it is not her problem it is ours to resolve. Gets aggressive with finger pointing right in FA'S face; standing too close for comfort; raising her voice/yelling etc. Also gate agents are now saying they r going to take PAX (with lithium battery issue) off the flight. Captain and crew are confused. But his bag is still going with us to ZZZ? Yes. Does not make sense. So Captain says no. PAX did the right thing by reporting. And Captain says he is already dealing with Ramp Supervisor who will be reporting directly to him; regarding lithium battery in checked bag. XA53 Gate agent says we r good to close per OPS. Captain says no he is waiting for Ramp Supervisor. And cabin crew r still trying to resolve pet issue because manager has told us that we have to resolve it ourselves. And gate agent issues a [company] app statement at XA54 gate agent saying "we need cabin Supe"XA56 I have chatted again with pet in cabin pax. She is relocating pet to window seat where the carrier will fit underneath per FAR.XA56 - gate agent states on app "FA do not want to travel with pet."Which is a complete and utter fabrication when all we r doing is making sure we are not in breach of FAR 121.589. Completely disrespectful of FAR and cabin crew.Cabin Supervisor shows up. At XA59 Gate agents and Cabin Supervisor and Airport Manager/company manager slam the door saying OPS okay with door closure. Slam the 1L closed. Captain and crew in shock because Captain is awaiting face to face report from Ramp Supervisor re LITHIUM BATTERY in CHECKED BAG!!!Gate agent did not use phrase "ready to go;" to Captain. Captain has clearly stated that he is waiting for Ramp Supervisor to report in person about the lithium battery.Breach ofFAR 121.589FAR 121.310FAR 121.309FA manual states"PRIOR TO DOOR CLOSUREPrior to door closure; all criteria from phases up to and including Prior to Door Closure on the Flight Attendant Safety Checklist must be completed. When the gate agent asks if the cabin is ready; by stating the cabin is ready for door closure; the International Purser/Purser or delegate confirms all the requirements have been met. The gate agent closes the door. The boarding door may NOT be closed if conditions outlined in the Flight Attendant Safety Checklist are not met"If the Captain has clearly stated he is NOT READY to close to the Purser and the Purser has relayed to the ground staff - why was the door slammed shut?This it leaves cabin crew and Captain to decide whether to arm doors or not. Eventually Captain gives go ahead to arm doors."
Second reporter narrative
Pet in Cabin FAR and SOP pursuant to my report XXXXXIssues at handA) PAX (Passenger) moved pet to middle seat which has limited under seat stowage due to electronics and life vest etc.B) PAX had animal un-restrained and not contained in carrier - per FAR. PAX resisted containing pet even after being requested twice during boarding- at which time it was reported to captain and gate agents to initiate request for a manager.3) When pet was finally contained- it was observed that pet could not slide under seat per FAR. PAX was Not rude- just non-compliant. PAX was requested to move animal to window or aisle where the carrier could be slid underneath- PAX did not comply - I don't think PAX understood that it was an FAR. I believe she got the impression she was compliant enough by merely containing the animal in carrier. maybe there was a language issue - we were trying to help her out- not give her a hard time. That's the point where our ground coworker charged us with dealing with it so they could 'close the door'I went back and PAX had complied and moved the pet to beneath the window seat in compliance with FAR and SOP. I reported to Captain and ground staff - which now included cabin Supervisor; Ground Supervisor that the Pet situation was taken care of. I knew we had an outstanding issue of lithium battery in checked bag that the Captain was attending to. C) Ground staff said Captain said close door. They said Ops had dealt with the lithium battery in cargo situation They closed the door. I had no chance to ascertain with Captain that he had given the go ahead for door closure. But door was closed and I did not want to arm door till I received ok from Captain.D) I poked my head in to ascertain whether Captain had given the okay for door closure- but he had not. He was still awaiting Ramp Supervisor face to face confirmation about the lithium battery. E) So now we have a separate issue to be covered by another report re the lithium battery.F) Door was closed without Captain Ok. And no confirmation about the lithium battery.Captain gave me okay to arm door which we did. As you can see - Gate agents say quote 'FA do not want to travel with pet' completely false information and misleading/misrepresentation of the facts.Fact is I requested manager support to get the compliance of PAX with FAR 121.589
Source: NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System (public domain). Reports are voluntary submissions and are not verified by NASA.