Washington, DC – In recognition of the eighth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorists attacks, Patricia Friend, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA-CWA) International President, made the following statement:

“As we have for the past eight years, September 11 marks a day where we honor the brave sacrifices of our flying partners and colleagues who gave their lives in the line of duty. It is in their memory, and the memory of all flight attendants before them, that we rededicate our work to advancing the health, safety and security of our beloved profession.

“In the past eight years, we have made significant advances in the areas of health, safety and security for the flight attendant profession. In the fall of 2003, Congress established a flight attendant certification requirement, highlighting and protecting the role flight attendants serve onboard the aircraft as front line safety professionals. Earlier this year, flight attendants received a substantial boost to their occupational status when the Department of Labor reclassified the profession as ‘essential transportation workers’ from the former category of ‘personal care providers’. Currently, we are on the threshold of FMLA fairness for all flight crews and are rebuilding our contracts amidst unsettled oil prices and an improving but temperamental economy.

As the anniversary of 9-11 approaches, we pause to remember our colleagues, and continue our duties as safety and security professionals. In honor of the brave sacrifices of our flying partners, we vow to remain vigilant and dedicated to our work in advancing the safety and security in the aircraft cabin. 

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 20 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world’s largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afanet.org.