APFA PRESS RELEASE: AVIATION SECURITY BILL

Please Contact George Price
APFA Communications Coordinator
817.540.0108. Ext 8308
[email protected]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

American Airlines Flight Attendants Pleased

Dallas, Ft. Worth (November 19) – President Bush signed legislation today that will not only federalize all baggage screeners, but will provide for 100% screening of checked bags and increased crewmember safety training.

The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the union representing the 24,000 American Airlines flight attendants, has been calling for increased security measures since the terrorist attacks on September 11, including background checks for employees with airport security access, and the screening of all persons and vehicles entering airport property.

The Aviation Security Act is to be implemented beginning 60 days from now and calls for a new position, under the Department of Transportation, the Undersecretary of Transportation, who will oversee the implementation of the new security procedures.

"We applaud the FAA’s initial response to the tragedies of September 11th with the fortification of cockpit doors as well as initiating new procedures for passenger screening, carry-on bag limits and the increased sky marshal program,” said John Ward, APFA President. “It has been two months since the incidents of September 11th and while many carriers have put into place individual security procedures for crewmembers, we look forward to a more coordinated and unified approach from the FAA on handling on-board security breaches. Now the FAA will be able to move forward, rapidly, to create new guidelines for crewmembers on handling in-flight security issues."

"We are very pleased that this legislation has passed. Both houses and the Administration worked hard to come to what we believe is legislation that will create a strong deterrent against any further incidents like those of September 11th."

APFA lost 13 crewmembers on September 11 who were aboard flights 11 and 77 that crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "Our members have been greatly impacted by these events and they should now feel safer knowing that these new procedures will be implemented soon."