Narrative:

I asked the ops agent in bwi; if she minded if I went downstairs outside on the ramp to smoke; as many ops agents allow pilots and flight attendants to do so; providing they stay hidden. She replied she had never let an attendant down before. I told her I knew some ops agents allowed it; and if it was ok with her; I'd like to do so. She looked at me strangely and said 'whatever' and proceeded up the jetway. She never replied no; so I went outside; but after feeling strange due to her behavior; I returned up the jetway and onto the aircraft. I cleaned the plane and we were waiting to board when 2 supervisors from bwi entered the aircraft and asked to speak to me. They asked if I had gone down the ramp and I replied yes; but after consideration; didn't think it was a good idea and returned. One sup informed me that it was against the law in md to smoke on the ramp. I apologized and replied I wasn't aware of that; had I been; I never would've gone down in the first place. I explained I had asked the ops agent first and she didn't tell me no; I have never disobeyed a fellow employee. She simply said 'whatever' and walked away. The supervisors recommended I write [a report.] we shook hands and began boarding.I feel there needs to be a complete understanding and consistency with all employees regarding smoking on the ramp. As I mentioned; many ops agents allow it and many employees from [another company] do it. If there is a rule; everyone should be on the same page. I never would've gone down without asking. I did ask. When the ops agent says 'whatever' and walks away; that doesn't convey breaking a law. For myself; I can say smoking in general has become a nuisance and affecting my health and have decided to quit; for many reasons. I've got the tools to quit; now I just need to put them to use. I understand now the severity and the importance of this rule now and have no intention of ever breaking it again.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Flight Attendant reported a communications breakdown with Gate Agent during preflight regarding local ramp access procedural policy.

Narrative: I asked the Ops agent in BWI; if she minded if I went downstairs outside on the ramp to smoke; as many ops agents allow pilots and flight attendants to do so; providing they stay hidden. She replied she had never let an attendant down before. I told her I knew some ops agents allowed it; and if it was ok with her; I'd like to do so. She looked at me strangely and said 'whatever' and proceeded up the jetway. She never replied no; so I went outside; but after feeling strange due to her behavior; I returned up the jetway and onto the aircraft. I cleaned the plane and we were waiting to board when 2 supervisors from BWI entered the aircraft and asked to speak to me. They asked if I had gone down the ramp and I replied yes; but after consideration; didn't think it was a good idea and returned. One sup informed me that it was against the law in MD to smoke on the ramp. I apologized and replied I wasn't aware of that; had I been; I never would've gone down in the first place. I explained I had asked the ops agent first and she didn't tell me no; I have never disobeyed a fellow employee. She simply said 'whatever' and walked away. The supervisors recommended I write [a report.] We shook hands and began boarding.I feel there needs to be a complete understanding and consistency with all employees regarding smoking on the ramp. As I mentioned; many ops agents allow it and many employees from [another company] do it. If there is a rule; everyone should be on the same page. I never would've gone down without asking. I did ask. When the ops agent says 'whatever' and walks away; that doesn't convey breaking a law. For myself; I can say smoking in general has become a nuisance and affecting my health and have decided to quit; for many reasons. I've got the tools to quit; now I just need to put them to use. I understand now the severity and the importance of this rule now and have no intention of ever breaking it again.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.