Date: 202004
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: Commercial Fixed Wing
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Other / Unknown; Distraction; Confusion; Communication Breakdown; Training / Qualification
Anomaly: Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: Pre-flight
Result: General None Reported / Taken
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Environment - Non Weather Related; Human Factors; Procedure
Primary problem: Company Policy

Narrative: FA-Y carefully buckled seatbelts over arm rests of the first and last 3 rows; leaving 18 full rows (36 half rows) for the boarding passengers.  Unless there are passengers traveling together; this would cause 5 passengers to share a row with strangers.2 un-accompanied minors were on the flight; fortunately siblings. They sat together in a row.  But FA-Y refused to allow the children to sit in 'the first row with tray tables;' as required; so they were seated in the first open row; row 4.  FA-Z briefed them for the location of doors; lavatories; etc. FA-Z also instructed them that they could get FA attention by any means necessary if they needed help.As the passengers filed in; FA-Y fiercely guarded rows 1-3 and 22-24 to ensure that no passengers were seated in those spaces.  There were two other pairs traveling together; but 2 rows ended up being occupied by very uncomfortable passengers sitting with a stranger.It doesn't really make sense to block the last three rows.  On this aircraft; FA-A is 6' away from the last row.  On the other type of aircraft; FA-A and FA-B can easily be 6' apart on their individual jumpseats; and 6' from cabin seating.FAs are using the last three rows to comfortably sit in the cabin watching electronic devices (with headphones or earbuds) or immerse in non-work reading materials from the end of sterile flight deck at 10k ascent to the beginning of sterile flight deck at 10k descent.FAs seem to think that they are no longer responsible for monitoring customer behavior and assuring safety and compliance.  They would be unaware of customer illness or injury; human trafficking; destructive or threatening behavior.FAs working Y position seem to think that they have no responsibility other than initial equipment check; safety demo; and securing the cabin for final descent.  FA-Y did not double check the galley and entry while FA-A did initial and final compliance walk-throughs.Has Operations been asked to announce that the first and last three rows will be unavailable for passenger seating?  FAs are NOT required to cordon off these rows.  Operations should not be announcing that no customers will be permitted to occupy these rows.  If they have been asked to include this in announcements; it should be that 'Some rows may be blocked to prevent passenger seating.  Please inform your flight attendants if you have a special need to sit in a blocked area.' Remind FAs and Operations that we are REQUIRED to accommodate pre-boarders in the rows of their preference. Communication should be sent to FAs to remind them of requirements for un-accompanied minors and instructing of any changes due to COVID exceptions.There was no indication in any of the regulatory changes that un-accompanied minors seating requirements have been changed.  Please address this issue and clarify to crews. FAs need to remember that customer comfort and safety is still important.  If the number of passengers exceeds the number of half-rows available; FA-Y should occupy XD; and FA-A and FA-B should occupy their respective jumpseats during the flight to allow as many passengers as possible to maintain social distancing. The exception allowing the last three rows to be blocked should be eliminated.  This is not necessary for social distancing. The exception allowing the last 3 rows to be blocked is providing an invitation to FAs to occupy themselves with electronic devices or non-work related reading materials. Again; there is no safety need to block these rows.  Also; FAs need to be reminded that the prohibition of electronic device use and headphones/earbuds during duty is still in force. FAs need to be reminded that customer safety is still a high priority.  Discontinuing service does not mean that we discontinue customer care.  FAs should be sent a communication reminding them that one FA is required to be in view of customers at all times; and that customers should be checked on at least every 15 (20?) minutes.Communication should be sent out reminding FA that the Y should still double check the forward entry/galley during initial and final walk throughs; even if they do not intend to occupy the fwd jump seat.




Synopsis: Flight Attendant reported that flight attendants are blocking off an excessive number of seating rows not allowing passengers to sit there due to the COVID-19 pandemic.