Date: 201407
Aircraft: B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Cruise
Aircraft component: Cargo Pit Compartment
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant In Charge
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Physiological - Other
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; Manuals; Procedure; Aircraft
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: On this flight and on several B777 flights recently with the Lower Lobe Crew Rest (LLCR); we have experienced extreme heat in the bunkroom radiating from the cargo area. On this flight and several other flights recently; the bunk room floor; and walls were hot to the touch and the radiant heat was too much for the crew rest area to be properly cooled even with the temperature set as cold as it would go. This affected 3rd break worse than the other breaks as the heat had radiated into the bunkroom more and more throughout the flight. The flight attendants on 3rd break; myself included; were unable to rest well due to the heat.  I discussed the issue with the flight deck crew.It is my understanding that a procedural change may have occurred. At our Air Carrier X [prior to the merger] the Cargo Heat was not always set to 'High.' From what I understand this was the procedure [before the merger] at Air Carrier Y and has now been mandated for ALL flights [since the merger]. This may be well and good at Air Carrier Y; since they have the Overhead Area Crew Rest (OACR). But; as many planes in the Air Carrier X fleet have the LLCR; this radiating heat can become a problem. As this has not been experienced on all flights I have been on; perhaps it may have something to do with the location and/or number of cargo pallets as well. However; the issue does need to be addressed. On five flights in the last two months; I have personally experienced this phenomenon.

Callback: Reporter stated that since the merger; the new procedure from their combined Air Carriers mandated an increase in Cargo Heat temperatures in the Forward Cargo compartment. That heat radiates into the Crew Rest bunk area and even with the Crew Rest thermostat down to the coldest setting; the compartment was very hot. He notified the pilots and the Cargo Heat was lowered from the Flight deck; which did help.Reporter stated he was wondering if more or less freight pallets in the Forward Cargo compartment could have an effect on the temperature due to more pallets could absorb the heat. On B777s with the increased temperatures in the lower compartment; no one is getting adequate rest. He has not yet received any response from his Air Carrier addressing the excessive heat concerns. He has 29 years of flight experience.



Synopsis: A Flight Attendant reports how a mandated company policy change that increases the temperature in the Forward Cargo Compartment has affected flight crew rest periods on some of their B777-200 aircraft. The bunk room floor and walls were hot when touched; caused by heat radiating from the cargo area; even with the thermostat at full cold.