Demand the TSA Review Your Airline's Inadequate Security Training Program

Join with your flying partners from around AFA-CWA and demand that the federal government take the necessary steps to guarantee that flight attendants have adequate security training. In our ongoing fight for basic mandatory flight attendant security training, we are asking you to sign this letter to TSA Administrator Stone, and tell him that the federal government has delayed too long and we are not adequately prepared to handle another 9-11 attack scenario, should one occur.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: My Airline's Security Training Program is Inadequate

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

It has been almost three years since the deadly terrorist attacks on New York and Washington D.C. That fateful day taught us a valuable lesson; we are not prepared for terrorist attacks on commercial aircraft.

Many strides have been taken to help protect Americans here at home. However, unless we guarantee that crewmembers on commercial airliners are trained to defend the aircraft and coordinate our efforts with Federal Air Marshals, Federal Flight Deck Officers and other pilots, we have failed both those onboard the aircraft and on the ground.

Congress has recognized the importance of security training for flight attendants three times since September 11th. However, TSA has yet to establish industry guidelines for mandatory security training for flight attendants. Mr. Stone, I am a flight attendant and the professional when it comes to evaluating flight attendant security training. In my expert opinion; I have not received adequate security training.

While TSA has acknowledged that a new strategy is needed post-September 11, it has failed to provide a program for the carriers to implement. By failing to provide a comprehensive standardized program, yet allowing each carrier to individually decide on security training issues independently, TSA is approving security training programs that do not provide adequate training for flight attendants who are the first responders in the sky. We are the only workgroup guaranteed to be in the cabin on every commercial flight. It's only logical that we receive the proper training that reflects our important role in defending our aircraft and hence, our nation.

Sec. 603 (6) of the Vision 100--Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act last year provides that TSA shall monitor air carrier training programs. It states: "In determining when an air carrier's training program should be reviewed . . . the Under Secretary shall consider complaints from crew members." I urge you to follow the will of Congress and provide a mandatory comprehensive basic security training program for flight attendants. TSA was established to design our nation's security system. It is critical that TSA develop security training for the employees who were the initial targets on 9/11. Because I feel that my carrier's security training program lacks the appropriate comprehensive substance that will enable me to protect those on board any aircraft when I am working as a crewmember, I urge you to review the program at my carrier to ensure that it meets the criteria Congress has supported in the Homeland Security Act and the Vision 100 Reauthorization bill.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 19, 2004


Background Information

Demand the TSA Review Your Airline's Inadequate Security Training Program!

It is very frustrating that flight attendants have to continue to pry open the eyes of Congressional leadership and the White House to the very disturbing fact that we continue to receive woefully inadequate security training from our employers.

As some of you are aware, AFA fought very hard to prevent the carriers from completely gutting our security training requirements in the FAA Reauthorization Act (Vision 100) in the last session of Congress. It was a difficult fight, but in the end we were successful in blocking their attempts at making security training completely voluntary. We were fortunate that a majority of Congress agrees with us. However, we are discovering that Congress has turned into something that resembles a one-party dictatorship where level heads are put to the guillotine and political contributors are rewarded with legislative favors that hurt working class people and reward corporate greed. Flight attendant security training is a perfect example of this mindset.

AFA had flight attendant security training language contained in the FAA Reauthorization that protected our priorities until the very last moment. Continental Airlines, based in Houston - the hometown of Republican House Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX) - went to DeLay and asked him to change the mandatory security training language that Congress overwhelmingly approved. He ordered the change over the strong objections of all Democrats and a handful of Republicans. As it stands, TSA is not required to issue mandatory flight attendant security training and has no intention of doing so. This is ludicrous policy; we are the first responders in the sky and the only aviation workgroup guaranteed to be in the cabin on every commercial flight.

It is once again up to us to force the will of Congress. By signing the letter to TSA Administrator Stone, you will help force the TSA to evaluate the security training program at your carrier. AFA was able to include this review language in the FAA Reauthorization should a backhanded incident such as this occur.

Yours, along with thousands of other AFA members' signatures will be delivered to the TSA on May 12 to further raise awareness of this despicable policy which leaves us at the mercy of trained killers in our workplace. We are also going to lobby Congress on May 12 and ask that you please attend and make this one of our biggest turnouts yet – I assure you, it will be time well spent. Please take the time to learn more about the May 12 Day of Action on the AFA website, www.afanet.org. And forward this important letter along to your flying partners.