Happy Thanksgiving from AFA International Officers

Dear AFA Member,

This Thanksgiving holiday, we are grateful for each and every one of you who makes up our AFA family of Flight Attendants. It used to be that we would all brace for the full airplanes that marked holiday travel, but that now seems to be the norm for us as capacity has been cut and our planes are fuller than ever. Even so, there is a different spirit with the occasional traveler and families who are flying to spend time with loved ones. And with late breaking news that our country played a critical role in negotiating a ceasefire in Gaza, we are grateful for the positive step for world peace and the safer passage for those flying partners who have been working in this region.

This weekend reminds us that Thanksgiving Day is one of America’s most widely celebrated holidays. Those of all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds sit together and enjoy family and friends around the table on this special day. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to be grateful for each other, respect our differences and celebrate our diversity.

On the job we are an extended family. We share a unique bond with each other that none outside our industry can ever completely understand. Some of us will prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, or put on a uniform to greet the myriad of passengers headed our way in the rush of travel. However each of us may spend this holiday weekend, it’s always a comfort to know we have each other. In our union there are 60,000 extended family members who have an intimate understanding of what it means to be a safety professional, a first responder and a last line of defense.

We hope that each of you has a cheerful and memorable Thanksgiving Day.

In Solidarity,

Veda Shook, International President

Sara Nelson, International Vice President

Kevin Creighan, International Secretary-Treasurer