Date: 202001
Local time of day: 1201-1800
Location: ZZZ.Airport, US
Flight conditions: VMC
Light: Daylight
Aircraft: EMB ERJ 170/175 ER/LR
Operator: Air Carrier
Operating under: Part 121
Flight plan: IFR
Mission: Passenger
Flight phase: Parked
Aircraft component: Emergency Floor Lighting
Component problem: Failed
Reporter organization: Air Carrier
Reporter function: Flight Attendant (On Duty)
Reporter qualification: Flight Attendant Current
Human factors: Communication Breakdown; Time Pressure
Anomaly: Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
Detector: Person Flight Attendant
When detected: In-flight
Result: General Flight Cancelled / Delayed; General Maintenance Action
Contributing factors: Company Policy; Human Factors; MEL; Aircraft; Procedure
Primary problem: Procedure

Narrative: While enroute ZZZ1-ZZZ Flight Attendant A became aware of the emergency floor level lighting was damaged and completely dead what white in color with damage and had stains and what looked to be dark liquid trapped under the plastic covering. A call was made to the flight deck to notify them of the issue and the location was pilots' side first 5 feet of the system spanning from exit to row 3. When we landed; we asked the pilot if he saw what we were talking about and he said he would wait till ZZZ2 to write it up. I called a duty officer as I thought that this was something that needed attention as I had the same exact issue 1 week prior on a different plane. Pilots are under the impression that the system only matters during non-daylight hours. This is a misconception as it still has to be functional for smoke fill cabin. The pilot was urged to write it up and MEL the strip which I questioned as it was such a large section that was damaged. I still was questioning how it could be MEL. I did not see the explanation in the pilots Manual for the MEL. When we landed in ZZZ2 I still was bothered and questioning the write up and why? At this point we were swapping crews and we were already late and new pilots were getting on. I wanted to talk to the cap again about the write up so that I could better understand the reason why it was able to be differed. We had started boarding but I chose to question the Mel because I felt it was important. Captain was super understanding and pulled up the info and we read it together and upon reading it again he understood my concern and said let's call Maintenance and have a talk and see what they say. When you first read the info it says no more the 10% of any section can be damaged or non-functioning? What is a section? It wasn't clear a section is a part not the whole system and is 5 feet 10%? A picture was taken and sent to Maintenance and immediately the decision was made that it was a no go and needed to be fixed. We had passengers on board and had to deplane. A first class passenger was very upset and screamed at me that I didn't great him and I was the absolute worst flight attendant. I apologized and said I'm very sorry I was dealing with something that was safety related and I apologize. He then screamed for everyone to hear it's not your job and shook his finger. I was shaken and taken aback and almost brought to tears. First Officer; Captain and gate agent all were witness to this. I was questioning myself and my speaking up at that point. It's hard enough to challenge something but to be yelled at for put further doubt in my head. In the end I feel like I did the right thing to question why and to understand the 3 departments that come together to make these decisions and how maybe something so small as emergency lighting is important to flight attendants but not as concerning to Maintenance or pilots . Will the plane fly without it? Yes. Is it safe? In my opinion no. The other concern is who is ensuring that the strips are cleaned and maintained? This was the 2nd plane in a week that had the same section fail. Is no one paying attention to the strips? Thank you for your attention and thought to this small but important issue.A better understand of functions of cabin emergency equipment on the pilot's side as a common answer to it not working was its daylight and it's ok. Also; the maintenance of a non-moving or electric part on the aircraft that's part of a crucial emergency system.




Synopsis: Flight Attendant reported confusion over inoperative floor photo luminescent strips and the MEL procedures to address them.