NY and NJ Senators Say ‘Keep Knives Out of Our Skies’

Flight Attendants Cheer Senate Legislation for Ban on Knives

Washington, DC, May 22, 2013 – New York and New Jersey Senators today introduced legislation to “Keep Knives Out of Our Skies,” in response to an incredible chorus of opposition to the TSA rule change that would allow knives in the aircraft cabin for the first time since 9/11.  The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, representing nearly 90,000 flight attendants, applauds Senator Schumer, Gillibrand, Lautenberg and Menendez for introducing the legislation to ensure the TSA does not implement the new rule over the Memorial Day weekend.

“The TSA’s dangerous new policy will put passengers, flight attendants and pilots at risk and we must reverse it to make sure our airplanes are secure,” said Senator Schumer. “Knives should continue to be kept off passenger planes and this legislation will make sure of that, once and for all.” Full Media Release>>

Congress To TSA: No Knives On Planes

145 Members of Congress Sign Letter to Administrator Pistole

Washington, DC, May 22, 2013 – The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, representing nearly 90,000 flight attendants, applauded the efforts of Congress to keep knives out of the aircraft cabin for good. Representatives Ed Markey (D-MA) and Michael Grimm (R-NY) led the effort by authoring the letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and generating bipartisan support. In all, 145 members of Congress signed on to the letter, stating that the TSA’s proposed rule change to allow knives in the passenger cabin for the first time since September 11, 2001 “is dangerous, unnecessary, and irresponsible.”

“Members of Congress are so opposed to this plan to put knives on planes, you could fill a 737 with all of them,” stated Congressman Markey. “The TSA was right to delay this decision, and now they should deny any knife from ever being brought into a passenger cabin of a plane. I want to thank the flight attendants, the pilots, the air marshals, the TSA screeners, and the airlines who all stood up and said ‘no’ to this terrible idea.” Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendant Union Endorses Ed Markey For Senate With Strong Record On Aviation Security

Washington, DC, May 20, 2013 – The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), the world’s largest Flight Attendant union, today announced endorsement of Congressman Ed Markey for the U.S. Senate, specifically noting his proven record on strengthening aviation security.

The Association of Flight Attendants emphatically endorses Ed Markey for election to the Senate. Flight Attendants and the traveling public are safer and our nation is more secure because Ed Markey refused to settle for anything less than 100 percent screening of air cargo on passenger planes. Full Media Release>>

Flight Attendants, Congressional Reps at Houston (IAH) Airport Rally Against Knives In The Passenger Cabin

Reports Indicate TSA Knives and Slow Security Will Kick Off Summer Travel Season

Washington, DC  May 20. 2013– The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions, representing 90,000 Flight Attendants including United, American, Southwest and US Airways, are conducting a press conference and rally Monday, May 20, 2013 at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to continue engaging the traveling public in efforts to keep the aircraft cabin free of knives. According to a recent Washington Post article “now the chatter is that the TSA may decide to put the new rules into effect over the Memorial Day weekend.”

The TSA’s delayed policy to allow knives into the passenger cabin has been opposed by Flight Attendants, gate agents, TSA officers, air marshals, law enforcement officers, FBI agents, pilots, passengers, 9/11 families and airlines. Nine organizations representing 400,000 members of these groups filed a legal petition with the TSA in opposition to permitting knives in the cabin, reserving their right to take legal action against implementation. Airlines for America (A4A), representing airlines such as United, US Airways, Delta, Alaska and American, joined the legal petition on May 16, 2013 stating, “… the new policy should be rescinded immediately.” Full Media Release>>

Press Conference “No Knives, Ever Again”
Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Terminal A Departure Level Lobby, Near Space Cow
May 20, 2013, 11:30 am Central Time

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Rally For Contract

Washington, DC, May 20, 2013 – As Alaska Air Group holds its annual stockholders meeting on Tuesday, award-winning Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, will rally outside as they continue to press management for a fair contract.
 
 “Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants have been distinguished by numerous awards for our hard work, sacrifices and dedication. Bolstered by our exemplary service, Alaska Airlines has just received the JD Power and Associates® award for the sixth year in a row—unprecedented in the industry. We have worked closely with management to create a winning strategy and have been key to the success of our airline. Despite this extraordinary performance record, our wages continue to fall below inflation and behind those of our peers in the industry. It is time for the over 3,100 Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants to reap the benefits of our airline’s success and be adequately compensated,” said Jeffrey Peterson, AFA president at Alaska Airlines. “We are stakeholders in this airline. We have proven our dedication.” Full Media Release>>

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants Rally
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
1 p.m. Pacific Time
(Stockholders meeting at 2 p.m.)
Bell Harbor International Conference Center
2211 Alaskan Way, Pier 66
Seattle, Washington

Flight Attendants Protest At Houston Airport Against Knives In The Passenger Cabin

Washington, DC, May 17, 2013 – The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions and industry stakeholders will hold a press conference Monday, May 20, 2013 at Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to continue engaging the traveling public in efforts to keep the passenger cabin free of knives that have been used as weapons. According to a recent Washington Post article “now the chatter is that the TSA may decide to put the new rules into effect over the Memorial Day weekend.”

The TSA’s delayed policy to allow knives into the passenger cabin has been opposed by Flight Attendants, gate agents, TSA officers, air marshals, law enforcement officers, FBI agents, pilots, passengers, 9/11 families and airlines. Nine organizations representing 400,000 members of these groups filed a legal petition with the TSA in opposition to permitting knives in the cabin, reserving their right to take legal action against implementation. Airlines for America (A4A), representing airlines such as United, US Airways, Delta, Alaska and American, joined the legal petition on May 16, 2013 and states “… the new policy should be rescinded immediately.” Full Media Release>>

Press Conference “No Knives, Ever Again”
Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Terminal A Departure Level Lobby, Near Space Cow
May 20, 2013, 11:30 am Central Time

Flight Attendants Protest At Charlotte Airport Against Knives In The Passenger Cabin

Reports Indicate TSA to Permit Knives, Slow Security, over Memorial Day

Washington, DC, May 15, 2013 – Flight Attendants will hold a press conference Thursday, May 16 at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to continue to engage the traveling public in efforts to keep the aircraft cabin free of knives that have been used as weapons. According to a recent Washington Post article “now the chatter is that the TSA may decide to put the new rules into effect over the Memorial Day weekend.” TSA officers have expressed concern not only with the dangers of allowing knives in the security checkpoints and beyond, but also noted that these new procedures would slow security lines.

The TSA’s delayed policy to allow knives into the aircraft cabin has been opposed by Flight Attendants, gate agents, TSA officers, air marshals, law enforcement officers, FBI agents, pilots, passengers, 9/11 families and airlines. Last week nine organizations representing 400,000 members of these groups filed a legal petition with the TSA in opposition to permitting knives in the cabin, reserving their right to take legal action against implementation. Flight Attendants, including the 60,000 represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), have opposed the ill-advised plan from the start and remain resolute: No Knives on Planes Ever Again. Full Media Release>>

Press Conference “No Knives, Ever Again”
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Baggage Claim, Zone E
Across from International Arrivals
May 16, 2013, 12:00 pm Eastern Time

Organizations Representing 400,000 On The Front Lines Of U.S. Aviation Submit Legal Petition To TSA And Homeland Security To Keep All Knives Off Planes

Washington, D.C., May 6, 2013 – Lawyers for nine organizations representing 400,000 aviation professionals, passengers and law enforcement officers today filed a legal petition with Transportation Security Administrator John Pistole and copied to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano seeking to rescind plans to allow knives in the aircraft cabins for the first time since 9/11.

“The Transportation Security Administration and the Homeland Security Department cannot dismiss the grave security concerns of 400,000 people on the front lines of U.S. aviation, including TSA’s own Transportation Security Officers and Air Marshals,” the coalition asserted. The coalition also includes flight attendants, gate agents, pilots, law enforcement and passengers.

The petition makes five critical points:

– Permitting knives in the cabin is an unnecessary risk to the traveling public and violates the Administrator’s duty—as set out by Congress. A TSA-approved knife could be used to stab or kill a passenger, crew member, federal air marshal, gate agent or TSA Security Officer by a terrorist, mentally ill person or drug or alcohol-impaired passenger. A TSA-approved a knife could be used to hijack a plane.

– It would be irresponsible to relax the TSA’s existing policy on knives when virtually every organization representing those directly affected by the change adamantly opposes it on safety and security grounds.

– Federal regulations currently ban all weapons on airplanes and in airport secure areas, and a knife is a weapon.

– TSA’s argument for the change is false. TSA says the change would bring the US in line with the international standard for knives. There is no international standard for knives: Canada, Israel and Taiwan – to name a few – ban knives on planes.

– One of the nation’s foremost experts on knives provides testimony stating that with many folding knives the only way to be certain whether its blade locks is to open the knife. However, TSA has instructed its Officers to screen knives in only a closed position. Consequently, knives that lock will inevitably wind up on airport concourses and aircraft cabins. Should TSA change its directive and allow TSA’s officer to directly examine knives at security checkpoints, the Officers would have to devote substantially more time to screening knives and security lines would slow.  Full Media Release>>

Delta Connection Flight Attendants at Compass Airlines Ratify First Contract On Eve Of Carrier’s Sixth Anniversary

Washington, DC, May 1, 2013 - Six years after Compass Airlines began commercial operations, Compass Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), ratified their first contract today with an overwhelming 99 percent of those participating voting in favor of the five-year agreement. The agreement, reached with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, provides immediate economic improvements as well as enhanced job security and protections. The AFA negotiating committee was able to reach an agreement after intense support and solidarity from the nearly 450 Flight Attendants. Full Media Release>>

Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants File For Mediation

Washington, DC, May 1, 2013 – Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), today filed for mediation with the National Mediation Board (NMB).  Today is the one-year anniversary of the contract’s amendable date.

“For the last three contracts, Flight Attendants responded to management’s plea to keep costs low while the airline created a winning strategy,” said Jeffrey Peterson, AFA president at Alaska Airlines. “We partnered with them in good faith.  As a result, we have fallen far behind our airline peers in compensation in most pay steps and pay rules.” Full Media Release>>

Strike Looms Closer At US Airways Express

No Flight Attendant Agreement Reached After Recent Negotiations

Washington, DC, April 30, 2013– The reality of a strike at US Airways Express carrier Piedmont Airlines appears to be drawing closer after continued stonewalling by management throughout contract negotiations. Piedmont Airlines Flight Attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), has been working to reach an agreement that is beneficial to crewmembers and to the airline. Meanwhile, management has presented unreasonable proposals and has frequently made regressive proposals in bargaining.

“Piedmont Flight Attendants are standing up for our share in the success of our airline. Our professional contributions have been instrumental for Piedmont and US Airways and we fully expect that those efforts be recognized,” said Anita Jwanouskos, AFA Piedmont President. Full Media Release>>

Udall-Led Proposal to End Flight Delays, Long Lines at Airports Passes U.S. House of Representatives, Flies to President’s Desk

Bipartisan Deal Will End Sequestration’s Costly Drag on Travelers, Businesses, Commerce

April 26, 2013- Mark Udall welcomed the U.S. House of Representatives’ vote today to send his bipartisan deal to end long lines and delays at the nation’s airports to the president’s desk. The Udall-led deal, which unanimously passed the U.S. Senate earlier this week, gives the U.S. Secretary of Transportation the flexibility to avoid further furloughs of essential employees at the Federal Aviation Administration. The deal, which leaders in the airline and travel industries have said will get our airlines back on schedule and bolster passenger safety, now heads to the White House to be signed into law.

“Colorado’s airports are some of the most important economic drivers in our communities. The indiscriminate, automatic budget cuts of sequestration not only threatened the convenience of the traveling public, but also created an unacceptable and avoidable drag on our resurgent economy," Udall said. “Washington-style brinksmanship threatened to cripple travel, tourism, business and commerce. That’s why I was proud to rally a bipartisan coalition in the Senate to unchain our airports and restore common sense to the FAA. I am proud the U.S. House of Representatives has joined me in supporting middle-class families and our nation’s businesses by sending this important bipartisan solution to the president’s desk.” Full Article>>

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