Commercial and Business Aviation Advisory Circulars

Cabin Safety Inspector Use of the D.O.T. Air Carrier Inspector Trip Pass and Baggage Check (Form 26-0236)

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Air Carrier Advisory Circular (ACAC) is to advise air operators of the procedures associated with Cabin Safety Inspector use of the D.O.T. Air Carrier Inspector Trip Pass and Baggage Check (Form 26-0236), (also referred to in this document as "Trip Pass") when conducting in-flight cabin inspections and the regulatory requirement for an air operator to provide a confirmed passenger seat in the passenger compartment for Cabin Safety Inspector use.

This ACAC also serves to request air operators to establish procedures regarding Cabin Safety Inspector use of "Trip Passes".

This Air Carrier Advisory Circular supersedes Air Carrier Advisory Circular No. 29, dated 1992.02.03.

BACKGROUND

Regulatory Requirements:

• Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 705, Section 28.
• CAR 705, Subsections 41(3)(a) and (b).
• Commercial Air Service Standards (CASS) 725.41(2)(b).

GENERAL

1. Cabin Safety Inspectors hold an Air Carrier Inspector Credential card.
   
   
2. Where an Air Operator Certificate authorizes a Cabin Safety Inspector carrying out an in-flight cabin inspection to occupy an available flight attendant seat, the Cabin Safety Inspector may occupy an available flight attendant seat or flight deck observer seat.
   
   
3. The D.O.T. Air Carrier Inspector Trip Pass and Baggage Check (Form 26-0236) will be used when in-flight cabin inspections are conducted on domestic and international flights operated by Canadian air operators.

TRANSPORT CANADA PROCEDURES

Pre-authorized inspections -

The "Trip Pass" will be used solely for the purpose of conducting pre-authorized in-flight cabin inspections.

Only one Cabin Safety Inspector will be authorized to conduct an in-flight inspection on a given flight.

More than one Inspector onboard -

When more than one Cabin Safety Inspector is onboard a given flight, only the Inspector conducting the in-flight cabin inspection will use a "Trip Pass".

Standard airline tickets will be utilized by a Cabin Safety Inspector who is being trained on in-flight cabin inspections.

NOTE: This does not preclude an individual arrangement with an air operator, on a case-by-case basis, to also allow "Trip Pass" use by a Cabin Safety Inspector trainee on a light load flight.

Standard airline tickets will be utilized by Cabin Safety Inspectors travelling in a passenger capacity.

NOTE: The term "standard airline tickets" includes other equivalents such as "ticketless flights".

Verifying seat availability -

Cabin Safety Inspectors will determine the inspection route and verify seat availability for all sectors involved. Where it is determined that a flight is full or historically operated with a full passenger load, the Inspector will change plans and schedule another flight so as not to place the air operator in a position of having to deny access to a revenue passenger or a deadheading crew member. If the Inspector is at the gate he/she will wait until the boarding process has been completed and, if a seat is available, board at that time.

Bumping of revenue passengers -

ONLY in circumstances where the in-flight cabin inspection on that particular flight is necessary (aircraft or crew) on that date shall a Cabin Safety Inspector bump a revenue passenger or a deadheading crew member. Criteria used to determine if "that particular flight is necessary" will be based on an operational requirement that has been pre-authorized and documented.

Occupancy of an available flight attendant seat or flight deck observer seat -

When an inaccurate load forecast for a multi-sector flight results in the displacement of the Inspector by a revenue passenger or a deadheading crew member, or in extenuating circumstances when the completion of the in-flight cabin inspection is mandatory and alternate seating is not available, a Cabin Safety Inspector carrying out an in-flight cabin inspection may occupy an available flight attendant seat (or when a flight attendant seat is not available, an available flight deck observer seat).

When the Cabin Safety Inspector is seated on an available flight attendant seat, or flight deck observer seat, the Inspector will display his/her Transport Canada Airport Restricted Area Pass in a conspicuous location.

AIR OPERATOR PROCEDURES

Air operators are requested to establish procedures to ensure that:

1. reservations and check-in agents are informed that regulations require an air operator to provide a Cabin Safety Inspector with a confirmed passenger seat in the passenger compartment;
   
   
2. the regulatory requirements of Canadian Aviation Regulations 705.41(3) and associated Standards 725.41(2) are in place;
   
   
3. a Cabin Safety Inspector may occupy an available flight deck observer seat;
   
   
4. the check-in agent completes the Cabin Safety Inspector check-in, in accordance with #5, #6, and #7 listed below, and retains the blue flight coupon for the air operator’s records;
   
   
5. all "Trip Pass" use is at nil charge to Transport Canada;
   
   
6. the check-in agent asks to see the Inspector’s Air Carrier Inspector Credential card at the point of check-in, verifies that the Inspector’s Credential card number is written on the "Trip Pass" in the box marked "I.D. Card No.", the completed "Trip Pass" is signed by the Inspector in the presence of the check-in agent, and the signature matches the one on the Air Carrier Inspector Credential card;
   
   
7. where the intended routing of a flight involves more than one flight number, a separate "Trip Pass" is completed for each flight;
   
   
8. where the Cabin Safety Inspector is assigned to an available flight attendant seat, or flight deck observer seat, a crew member provides a briefing to the Inspector regarding the operation and use of the seat and restraint system; where applicable, the location and use of the oxygen system and the location and use of life preservers; and the person’s responsibilities and actions during an emergency;
   
   
9. the Cabin Safety Inspector is included in the passenger head count as a passenger when occupying a passenger seat, and is not included in the passenger head count when occupying an available flight attendant or flight deck observer seat but in such cases is included on the crew manifest; and
   
   
10. appropriate personnel are informed of the foregoing.

CONCLUSION

This ACAC is intended to advise air operators of procedures pertaining to Cabin Safety Inspector use of D.O.T. Air Carrier Inspector Trip Pass and Baggage Check (Form 26-0236).

A.J. LaFlamme
Director
Commercial and Business Aviation