12.01.05 – AA Flight Attendant Union Appalled

American Airlines Flight Attendant Union

Appalled by TSA Announcement to Allow Potential Weapons on Aircraft

Euless, TX (Dec. 1)-The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), the union representing more than 22,000 American Airlines flight attendants, has voiced their opposition to the Transportation Security Administration’s planned announcement to lift a ban on various sharp items and tools.

“We are appalled that we are not being listened to by the federal government as they downgrade cabin security standards,” said APFA President, Tommie Hutto-Blake. She continued, “There is absolutely no reason for these potential weapons to be on board the aircraft. Passengers are free to transport these items in their checked luggage. We believe that there are many issues that need to be addressed to streamline the passenger screening process and putting passengers and cabin crew at greater risk is not the answer.”

The TSA confiscates tens of thousands of items a day at airports, mostly sharp objects. It should be noted that had the sharp objects used as weapons by terrorists on 9/11 been confiscated, it would have changed the course of history.

APFA is the nation’s largest independent flight attendant union
representing only American Airlines Flight Attendants.
Visit us on-line at www.www.apfa.org. .