The U.S. House of Representatives is the first chamber to pass the FAA Reauthorization Bill which addresses Flight Attendant concerns including cabin air quality, cabin temperature minimums and maximums, radiation exposure, pumping in flight, emergency evacuations, inflight violence, turbulence, inflight medical kits, and more.

APFA member Pete Enriquez speaks at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in support of the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act. Pete recounts a violent assault that occurred to him while working a flight

APFA Flight Attendant Teddy Andrews testifies before Congress on physical and verbal abuse from disruptive passengers. APFA supports DOT’s Zero-Tolerance Policy against unruly passengers and increased fines for Flight Attendant assault. APFA also pushes the DOT to refer cases of Flight Attendant assault to the FBI for criminal review.

APFA brings 50 Flight Attendants to Washington to lobby Congress on cabin safety issues, including implementation of the 2018 FAA Bill and the state of our contract negotiations. Chair Peter DeFazio continues to be our major ally in implementing the 10-hour minimum rest regulation

APFA National President Lori Bassani testifies before House Aviation Subcommittee on various issues that Flight Attendants face, including FAA oversight, seat size and evacuation standards, cabin air quality, emotional support animals, 10-hour minimum rest, and the Boeing 737 MAX.

The Boeing 737 MAX aircraft is grounded worldwide after 346 people died in two crashes (Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302). APFA joins pilots and Labor partners in taking a hardline on aviation safety and government oversight.

A 35-day government shutdown ends as TSA and air traffic control workers have continued to work without pay. APFA and Labor partners are involved in pressuring lawmakers to re-fund and re-open the government to ensure aviation safety is not compromised.

APFA brings Flight Attendant to Washington to lobby on the Fair & Open Skies issue. Three Middle Eastern air carriers receive government subsidies that threaten U.S. aviation jobs by creating an unlevel playing field.

APFA supports the FCC’s decision to ban voice calls on all U.S. commercial flights.

Voice Calls on Planes: Unions convince lawmakers to file legislation to keep voice calls off of planes. APFA provides testimony at the FAA.

APFA is appointed to the Air Carrier Training Aviation Rule Committee (ACT ARC)

Flight Attendants Gain OSHA Protections. After 14 long years, the FAA bill contains language that designates the aircraft cabin as a work environment and under of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the FAA.

No Knives on Planes! Through Flight Attendant legislative efforts we are able to convince TSA to reverse this ill-advised plan to allow knives back on board our aircraft.

Pensions in Bankruptcy: APFA, along with the other unions, save pensions from termination and being turned over to the PBGC for LAA FAs during bankruptcy.

Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Technical Corrections Bill is passed. It guarantees crewmembers are now able to qualify for time off work. The original bill did not provide for our unique hourly pay structures.

Flight Attendant Classification: The Department of Labor reclassifies Flight Attendants from “personal care providers” to “essential transportation workers,” the same classification assigned to pilots and air traffic controllers.

Letters from APFA President to Congress regarding November 18 Informational Picketing - 11.06.09
AA ATI support letters to DOT and European Commission - 10.29.09
DEMOS report - “Flying Blind: Airline Deregulation, 30 Years Later" - 6.25.09
Download/read the Demos report here

Penalties for Air Rage: Fines are increased from $1,200 up to $25,000 for air rage attacks by passengers against Flight Attendants.

Pregnancy Discrimination Act. Allows women to return to work without losing their jobs. Flight Attendants had previously been unfairly discharged.

Flight Attendants as Pioneers. It is widely recognized that Flight Attendants led the charge in addressing workplace discrimination. Following the Age Discrimination Act of 1967, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces the ruling that bans age (aka Rule 32) and marriage discrimination against stewardesses.