Date: 201303
Local time of day: 0001-0600
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Aircraft: B737-900
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Climb
Airspace: Class B ZZZ
ATC / advisory: TRACON ZZZ
Aircraft component: Exterior Pax/Crew Door
Component problem: Malfunctioning
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Distraction; Physiological - Other
Second reporter function: Flight Attendant In Charge
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Other / Unknown
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport
Contributing factors: Aircraft; Human Factors
Primary problem: Aircraft

Narrative: We did an air turn back due to lack of pressurization from a large leak in the L1 door on climbout. The crew had trouble communicating due to deafening noise from the leak; after A and D contacted the flight deck immediately after takeoff; the Captain notified us that he would call us back and A and D did not hear the chimes; however the B and C flight attendants did; that is when they became aware of the situation. The aft flight attendants tried to call the forward flight attendants and we did not hear the chimes. At that point the B Flight Attendant came forward to check on us; she went back; and a little while later the C Flight Attendant came forward to let us know that the Captain had made an announcement to the cabin that we would be returning to our departure airport and landing in five minutes; but it took much longer than that.Not only was the noise deafening; but air was blowing in from around the door. At one point it became worse and stayed that way until we landed. The noise was so loud the A Flight Attendant and I could not even communicate even by screaming at each other (we reached an altitude of 5;000 FT). Once we were on the ground we debriefed with the Captain. The Captain recommended and requested that the flight attendants be replaced. We were not met by our in-flight supervisors until requested. We were given the option of working a 14 hour duty day or call in sick on line with points. I did not feel that I would have been able to handle another emergency if we were faced with one. This is because of the stress of the situation and the unpreventable lack of communication with the entire crew; due to deafening noise.I believe in-flight supervisors should support the flight attendants in abnormal events whether it is a declared emergency or not and should honor the Captain's request to have a crew replaced. We should not be in fear of facing discipline; if we feel we are not fit to continue to fly after this type of event or any other abnormal situation.


Second narrative: All of the passengers that I could see from my vantage point appeared alarmed. It was truly a scary event.


Synopsis: When their B737NG experienced a deafening decibel level air leak at the left forward entry door during initial climb the flight attendant reporters did their best to cope as the flight returned to their departure airport. Their request to be relieved of further duty for the day; however; was met problematically by management; advising that such relief would be allowed only if logged negatively in their personnel records.