6. CARRY-ON BAGGAGE CONTROL PROGRAM

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1 6. CARRY-ON BAGGAGE CONTROL PROGRAM 6.1 Corporate Policy The Helijet Safety Policy is designed to ensure an organizational and cultural framework that complies with regulations governing the operation of Company aircraft. Customers expect that Helijet services provide an assurance of safety and security at the core of the operation. The Carry-on Baggage Control Program is intended to meet or exceed the cabin safety requirements pursuant to CARs 704. This program is designed for the protection of customers and crew members from: a) improperly stowed items dislodging and striking passengers and crew when abrupt aircraft deceleration or attitudinal changes occur. b) obstruction of rapid passenger egress in otherwise survivable impacts resulting from improperly stowed items. 6.2 Roles and Responsibilities Company The Company is required by law to develop procedures for the handling and controlling of Carry-on baggage and incorporate these procedures in an overall Carry-on Baggage Control Program that is subject to Transport Canada approval. The Company is responsible to: a) identify who is responsible for the acceptance or refusal of carry-on baggage; b) identify and publicize the criteria that will be used for the acceptance or refusal of carryon baggage; c) identify the procedures that will be used in acceptance or refusal of carry-on baggage; d) identify the location and under what conditions the screening will take place; e) train staff and contracted personnel; f) publicize the Carry-on Baggage Control Program in the Company Operations Manual Station At each station, the designated Manager or his/her delegate shall be directly responsible for the implementation and compliance with the Carry-on Baggage Control Program as specified below Crew Members Will contribute to the success of the Carry-on Baggage Control Program through consistent compliance with Transport Canada regulations and Company safety policies and procedures. REISSUE: APRIL

2 6.3 Responsibility For Acceptance Of Carry-On Baggage Passenger Agents The Passenger Agents are responsible to know the criteria and implement the procedures for acceptance and refusal of carry-on baggage when checking-in customers. The Agent is responsible to include in the boarding announcement a brief reminder to passengers regarding carry-on baggage. The Agent must ensure that any items which are not carry-on baggage are set aside in the gate area and properly tagged for checking to the passenger s destination. The Agent must also ensure that the Ground Agent is advised of the requirement to load excess carry-on baggage(s). The Ground Agent is responsible for placing the baggage in the designated compartment specified in the applicable aircraft ramp operations manual or publication Pilot-In-Command The PIC is responsible to verify that all carry-on cabin baggage is stowed securely as per Transport Canada requirements. In the event that an item cannot be placed in a stowage compartment in an approved manner, the excess carry-on baggage must be remitted to Ground Agents for handling. The Pilot-in-Command (PIC) has the ultimate responsibility for all persons onboard the aircraft, in dealing effectively with any matters related to cabin safety. 6.4 Criteria For Acceptance / Refusal Of Carry-On Baggage Transport Canada regulations require that a crew member verify that all carry-on baggage be stowed in an approved stowage location and in an approved manner before the aircraft doors are closed for departure. Transport Canada regulations DO NOT establish maximum weight and dimensions for carry-on baggage. The maximum weight and overall dimensions of carryon articles indicated below have been established on the basis of: a) aircraft make, model, series, configuration, and furnishings; b) type of approved limitations; c) volume, weight limitations; d) location of stowage space. Carry-on baggage is permitted in the cabin of the aircraft provided it is of such size and weight that it can be stowed directly under the seat in front of the passenger or in an approved container. The aircraft seat must be equipped with forward and side restraint bars Cabin Allowance Passengers may bring onboard one item. This may include a small soft-sided briefcase, computer bag or purse General Items not included in the above maximums are a walking stick, camera, coat or reading material. Carry-on baggage must not be stowed in such a way that it restricts passage to the aisles or blocks an emergency exit area, or restricts access to any emergency equipment Airport Screening Locations a) primary screening location is at check-in; b) secondary screening location is in boarding lounge; c) final screening location is at the gate. REISSUE: APRIL

3 6.5 Information To Customers Customers expect to be dealt with fairly. They have a right to know what service they can expect, including any restrictions or conditions affecting customer perception of inconvenience. This includes being informed in a timely and complete manner about the rationale and purpose for certain safety regulations. To provide complete and sufficient information increases customers perception of reliability and builds trust. Our Corporate Safety Policy is an integral part of our service strategy and as such is a core aspect of service reliability. Our goal is to assist our customers in experiencing value and receiving benefits for the burdens endured. Standby passengers, including staff traveling on business or pleasure, are subject to the same restrictions as regular customers. In order to facilitate assessment by the Agent, the following applies: Passenger Agent - Procedures The following procedures must be followed: a) ask customer what articles are intended as carry-on baggage; b) visually check for additional pieces and assess acceptability; c) if in doubt, determine if item(s) should be checked as regular baggage or requires special handling; d) initiate action and provide customer with relevant information; e) for fragile and unusual items use Fragile Pass tag. This will identify authorization of exception to Agent and Inflight Crew; and f) advise passengers in the boarding announcement of the limit of one carry-on item in the cabin Ground Agent - Procedures In order to achieve on-time and hassle free departure, Ground Agents need to do the following: a) Check that bags are properly tagged; and b) Load in the designated aircraft compartment. 6.6 Operating Or Deadheading Flight Crew Flight crews operating the flight or deadheading in uniform are exempt from the Carry-On Baggage Policy. Flight bags are also exempt from the policy as well. 6.7 Onboard Stowage Passenger Carry-On Baggage In compliance with the CARs , carry-on baggage should be stowed under the passenger seat or in an approved bin or otherwise approved storage unit. As a rule, the heavier pieces or larger pieces should be stowed in the baggage containers and the lighter, smaller item(s) under the seat. REISSUE: APRIL

4 6.7.1 Seat-Loaded Items Helijet does not accept seat-loaded items during normal revenue operations. However, with the proper restraint systems in place, and specific approval from the VP Operations and Director of Maintenance, seat loaded items may be approved for charter or special operations, such as Air Ambulance operations. Once the approval has been given to allow seat-loaded items for a charter or special operation, the following restrictions apply: Advance arrangements are to be made by the passengers or company chartering aircraft; Any items accepted for carriage in the cabin of the aircraft must conform to the dangerous goods regulations and should be identified with a Fragile Pass tag. A restraint net or device shall be installed by Maintenance personnel, so as not to interfere with the safety or comfort of passengers. Items may be secured on either one seat, two seats or on the floor in front of a seat. The maximum weight of restrained article shall not exceed 80 lbs. Any seat may be used provided it is not located: a) in an emergency row; or b) in a seat immediately forward or aft of restricted over wing seats; or c) in any seat as to prevent access to emergency or safety equipment; or d) where it will block access by a person to the aisle of the aircraft or obstruct movement of the seat back forward of the restrained item. The special item(s) must always be placed from the window seat inward to the aisle. Access to the emergency exit and access to the aisle(s) must be kept clear. The seat must be able to be placed in the upright position for take-off and landing Fragile Oversized Items Some fragile and/or valuable items may be accepted as carry-on baggage even though the article exceeds the maximum allowance. The decision to authorize the carriage of these items will be made at the airport by the PIC The Passenger Agent shall: a) determine space availability; b) advise the Flight Attendant and confirm onboard acceptance; c) tag for acceptance; d) advise customer of status; e) if onboard acceptance is denied, advise customer; and f) re-tag article Infant Incubators/Stretchers Incubators/stretchers of any type are not accepted for transport on the S 76 or S-61 regular schedule service Wheelchairs Wheelchair passengers have been designated to travel on the S-76. REISSUE: APRIL

5 6.7.5 Pets / Service Animals Pets may be carried onboard as carry-on baggage provided they are part of the passenger s carry-on baggage allowance and stowed in an approved area and manner. One small kennel containing one dog or cat is acceptable in lieu of a passenger s regular cabin baggage allowance. The passenger is not permitted to sit next to an emergency exit and must be assigned a seat that allows stowage of the kennel under the seat directly in front of the assigned seat. The carrying case may also be secured on a seat using the seat belt through a handle. This seat must not be next to an exit nor hinder access to a primary exit. If no suitable seats are available, it must be in the baggage compartment The animal cannot be removed from the kennel during the flight. Maximum kennels per aircraft is two. Guide dogs may be carried onboard with proper identification. The guide dog must remain at the master s feet, and not be located at an emergency exit. The guide dog must never occupy a passenger seat. 6.8 Training Requirements The syllabus for initial training of all Passenger Service personnel, including Ground Agents, includes the mandatory topic of our approved Carry-On Baggage Control Program, and is provided to all Agents, Passenger and Ground. It follows the outline noted above and expands on the roles and responsibilities of each employee group involved in the process. A recurrent (annual) training course includes an update on incident statistics and a section to address and resolve current process problems. Pilot training is outlined in Section 9 of this Manual. REISSUE: APRIL

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