AA Airline vocabulary Flashcards
AFT
Rear (back) of the aircraft
AC
Abbreviation for the word aircraft
Aisle
A walkway through the center of the aircraft. An aircraft will have either one or two aisles
APU
Auxiliary power unit. The APU provides external ground power to the aircraft when the engines are not running. It is mainly used when the aircraft is parked at the gate.
“Arm” (or Arming) an exit
The process of attaching the evacuation slide to the A/C floor at departure. When the door is opened in the armed mode, the slide will deploy and inflate.
Barrier strap
A red fabric seatbelt attached across the aisle behind the last row of seats in the main cabin of the super 80 aircraft used to give a flight attendant space to open the AFT door in the event of an evacuation.
Bid (or Bidding)
The process of submitting your request for the following month’s work schedule
Bid packet
The packet produced by crew planning containing schedules and information for the next month. Flight Attendants use the bid packet when bidding.
Bulkhead
Partition wall used to divide an aircraft into separate cabins, and to separate galleys and lavatories from customers.
Business Class(B/C)
A cabin area on some widebody aircraft between first class and Main Cabin. The business class cabin features more enhancements then the main cabin, but is not as elaborate as the First Class cabin. May also be your highest level of service if first class is not available in a particular market.
Cabin
The aircraft interior, including customer seating area, luggage storage, galleys and lavatories.
Cabin Service Barrier Strap
A nylon strap that is attached to each side of the aircraft door. This strap reminds personnel the exit is unsafe for use.
Catering papers
An inventory of the food service related items catered on a specific flight.
CC/SS
The two separate codes used to identify different compartments used for storage on the aircraft.CC=Coat Closet / SS=Storage Space
Checking Catering
The process of verifying the contents of what has been placed in the galley compartments and cards against what is printed on the catering papers.
Cocktail/Beverage Cart
Cart which contains supplies such as ice, soda, milk, water, liquor miniatures, beer, and wine for a cocktail /beverage service.
Concierge Key
The concierge key program is an exclusive program that American Airlines has for it’s very top customers. It is by invitation only.
Compliance Check
Flight attendant verification that customers are adhering to safety regulations. I.e., seatbelts fastened, luggage stowed, seatbacks forward, etc….
Departure Dependability Briefing (DDB)
Preflight meeting between the flight attendant #1 and the gate agent to exchange information regarding the flight and ensure a smooth customer boarding process.
Disarm an Exit
The process of releasing the evacuation slide from the A/C floor brackets upon arrival. When the exit is in the disarmed mode, the escape slide will not deploy automatically when the door is opened.
Doghouse
An enclosed storage area onboard the aircraft (A/C) that is often used to store supplies and emergency equipment.
Door Handle
A large door-mounted handle that is used to open or close a door from the inside of the aircraft.
Enhanced Gate Reader (EGR)
An electronic machine that assist with boarding by scanning a boarding pass or personal electronic device.
Exit Row Seating
Seats in which a customer can go directly to an exit without entering an aisle.
FA
Abbreviation for “Flight Attendant”.
FA Crew Base
An operational City within the AA network assigned to FA’s, as a point of origin and termination for all trips.
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
A U.S. Government agency that sets standards for aircraft and people working in the aviation field and monitors the performance of air carriers.
Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR)
Regulations set forth by the FAA in which an airline carrier must abide.
FAA Minimum Crew
The minimum number of FA crew members required by the FAA to board and work a flight. One FA is required for every 50 passengers seats.
First Class (F/C)
Premium seating in the forward portion of the A/C, just behind the flight deck.
Floor Brackets
Heavy metal brackets installed on the floor that hold the girt bar which is attached to the escape slide.
F/O
The abbreviation for “First Officer”
FSB
The abbreviation for “Fasten Seatbelt”
FWD
Front of the Air Craft
Galley
Kitchen on the aircraft. Used for storing catering supplies, oven, food, and beverages.
Girt Bar
A metal bar which is used to attach the slide to the aircraft.
G.M.L.
A list that provides FA’s with customers name(s) and pertinent information about the flight. GML (General Manifest List) may also be referred to as the PIL (Passenger Information List)
(IFE) In Flight Entertainment
Onboard entertainment system that provide audio and video for customers to enjoy while onboard American Airlines. On some aircraft, passenger safety information is also provided via the IFE system
Inflight Wheelchair
A narrow chair used on board an aircraft to transport a non-ambulatory customer to and from his/her seat for boarding and deplaning or for use of lavatory inflight.
Jetbridge
An extendable bridge that provides customers and crew protected access from the gate area to the aircraft
(JS) Jumpseat
Retractable seat flight attendants occupy for take off, landing and turbulence
Lavatory
Restroom facility’s onboard the A /C
LHS
The Abbreviation for “Left Hand Side”. “Aircraft left”is determined while facing the Fight Deck
Main Cabin (M/C)
The AFT most portion of the A/C and is usually the largest cabin on the aircraft
Meal / Tray Cart
A cart where meal trays are boarded
Narrowbody
An aircraft with a single aisle leading from front to back
Overhead Bin
Storage space directly above cabin seats abbr (OHB)
Pick-up Cart
Any empty cart used to pick up discarded items from the Main Cabin meal and beverage service.
Pre-departure Beverage
A beverage service that’s provided during customer boarding and concludes once the main boarding door is closed.
PSU
Passenger Service Unit. Area located directly above customers seat which holds customer ventilation system, light controls, FA call button and other passenger information signs.
Push-Back
When the A /C is pushed backward from the gate
Rampstand
A moveable stairway positioned at the A/C door to allow customers to board and deplane.
RHS
The Abbreviation for “Right Hand Side”. “Aircraft Right” is always determined while facing the Flight Deck.
Runway
The strip of concrete, on which A/C take off and land.
Service Kit
A blue container placed onboard an aircraft containing miscellaneous items used in flight, i.e. Aspirin, tea bags, bandages, liquor envelopes.
Shoulder Harness
Seat Belt placed over shoulders while occupying the jumpseat.
Slide
An inflatable slide used to quickly evacuate passengers from an aircraft in an emergency situation. Also referred to as an “evacuation Slide.”
Slide Container
A hard shell covering which holds the uninflated slide in place on the door. A slide container may also be referred to as a “slide Bustle”.
Slide Girt
The part of the slide that does not inflate. This area rests on the door sill and is attached to the girt bar
Stow
To put away
Sterile Cockpit
The time period when no communication is allowed between FA’s and the Flight Deck Crew except in an emergency. Before the A/C ascends through 10,000 feet and after it descends through 10,000 feet.
Taxi
The period in which the A/C begins to move forward on its own power, shortly after pushback.
Taxiway
The ramp/tarmac area which is used by all aircraft when moving to runway or to the gate area.
Three-tiered Cart
Collapsible, stainless steel cart used for elaborate F/C services.
Tray Setup
A meal tray with the basic components added in the catering kitchen. Additional items are added by the FA depending on the level of the service.
Two-Services
The completion of two separate services.
Widebody
An aircraft with 2 aisles extending from front to back. U
