A B757-200 CABIN ATTENDANT RPTS THE AIRPLANE WAS DISPATCHED WITH A KNOWN SAFETY ITEM. OVERHEAD BIN AT 34ABC COULD NOT BE OPENED; LEAVING NO ACCESS TO SAFETY ITEMS STOWED IN BIN.

Narrative

DURING BOARDING I WAS GOING TO STOW A COAT IN THE OVERHEAD BIN AT 34ABC AND COULD NOT OPEN IT. THE LATCH WAS LOOSE AND I CALLED THE PURSER TO LET HER KNOW AND BEFORE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED I ASKED THE CUSTOMER SVC AGENT IF MAINT WAS COMING. SHE LOOKED VERY SURPRISED WHEN I TOLD HER. WE WENT TO THE BACK AND SHE TRIED TO OPEN THE BIN ALONG WITH THE PAX IN 34C. WE TRIED TO OPEN IT WITH THE EMER CARD AND THE CUSTOMER SVC'S IDENT CARD THEN GOT THE DEFIBRILLATOR KEY AND POPPED IT OPEN. I CALLED CAPT TO SEE IF WAS A 'NO-GO' ITEM AND HE TOLD ME IF IT SHUTS THEN IT WILL BE OK. I LET HIM KNOW WE HAVE TO RIG IT OPEN AND WE HAD SAFETY EQUIP IN THE BIN. HE ALSO SAID IF HE HAD TO HE WOULD OPEN IT WITH A CROW. ONCE AGAIN HE SAID IF IT SHUTS IT'S OK. I TOLD HIM YES; AND THAT WAS IT. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT DEST WE ASKED THE FO IF IT WAS WRITTEN UP AND HE SAID YES. I WENT TO SEE A SUPVR ON WHAT TO DO AND SHE CALLED MAINT TO SEE IF IT WAS A 'NO-GO' ITEM AND HE SAID YES. HE ALSO ACTED LIKE HE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE PROB.