The past couple of months have been incredibly challenging for Flight Attendants after back-to-back in-cabin disturbances in the US were broadcast on social media. Those disturbances subsequently “broke the internet” and were widely carried by news outlets. The mob mentality response to the video clips, with little correct information about the incidents, has put Flight Attendants in the cross hairs. AFA immediately focused on a national de-escalation to keep travelers from coming to the plane with bias against crewmembers and the authority we must maintain to keep everyone safe.
Reinforcing Our Role as Aviation’s First Responders
AFA’s message in the media and on Capitol Hill has been to remind the public and our legislators that Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders charged with the safety, health and security of the passengers in our care. AFA has cited the ever-shrinking personal space in main cabins and minimum staffing as some of the contributing factors to these recent incidents.
In case you missed it, the Today Show recently featured Flight Attendants talking about their perspective on conditions in the cabin. Flight Attendants reminded Matt Lauer and the public about the good job aviation’s first responders do to usher millions safely and efficiently to their destinations every single day. Matt Lauer reiterated this point to millions of viewers who also fly on our planes!
Passenger Incident Reporting Form
AFA has been receiving reports from Flight Attendants about a variety of situations in which they are feeling harassed by passengers. It is imperative that AFA begin collecting confidential data on these types of confrontations so that we can more effectively advocate on your behalf to management, regulators, legislators and the media. For instance, we want to know: (1) How frequently are passengers videotaping us, (2) What exactly are they filming and (3) Are they trying to incite emotions from Flight Attendants by saying or doing inappropriate things?
If you or your fellow Flight Attendants experience concerning behavior from a passenger(s), please take a moment to fill out a confidential reporting form by clicking on the following link. The form is very simple to complete. Filling out this form is optional (although greatly appreciated) and does not relieve you of other reporting requirements indicated in your Flight Attendant manual.
Passenger Incident Reporting Form »
*** If AFA releases any of the data to third parties, be assured we will remove any and all identifying information so that confidentiality is strictly maintained. ***
Thank you very much in advance for assisting AFA in combatting rising tensions in the cabin. Fly safe and continue to look out for each other.
In Solidarity,
Your MEC – Jeffrey Peterson, Brian Palmer, Linda Christou, Lisa Pinkston, Laura Masserant, Cathy Gwynn, Melissa Osborne, Tim Green and Brice McGee
