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For Immediate Release: November 29, 2012
Contact: Corey Caldwell 202-434-0586
Flight Attendant Union Testifies Before Congress On Impact Of
Aviation Safety On Today's Travel Experience
Carry-On Baggage Standards Are Key Component
Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA)
International President Veda Shook today testified before the
United States House of Representatives Transportation and
Infrastructure’s Aviation Subcommittee on the effects of
aviation policy and regulations inside the aircraft cabin.
“The skies are safer today than they were before September 11th
and much of this is thanks to the Transportation Security
Administration’s federalized workforce and the thorough security
screening of airline passengers, crew, and airport employees,”
testified Shook. “Federalizing airport screening has improved
the security of air travel, making Flight Attendant jobs and
passenger travel safer today. Additionally, by applying
appropriate screening levels to low-risk travelers, the
experience of all travelers has continued to improve. The Known
Crewmember Program (KCM) is yet another example of a
successfully implemented TSA program that creates shorter lines,
thus improving the passenger experience. Today, Flight
Attendants at all types of carriers – legacy, regional and niche
– are participating in KCM with huge success.”
Elaborating on ways to improve aviation security while
streamlining the passenger experience, Shook added that AFA
continues to call for the adoption of reasonable and uniform
limits for carry-on baggage.
“Creating a national standard for carry-on baggage would reduce
passenger confusion, streamline and improve the security of the
screening process, and enable Flight Attendants to more
efficiently board aircraft. Additionally, it will allow for more
efficient screening at security checkpoints and also improve the
ability of Flight Attendants to more effectively observe
passengers for possible security threats.”
For a copy of AFA’s written testimony, visit
www.afacwa.org .
The Association of Flight Attendants is the world’s largest
Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant
issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight
Attendant profession for 67 years. Serving as the voice for
Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in
the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight
Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits and working
conditions. Nearly 60,000 Flight Attendants come together to
form AFA, part of the 700,000-member strong Communications
Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at
www.afacwa.org .
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