Flight Attendant Union Commemorates US Airways Flight 1549 Five Years Later After Historic Landing
Washington, DC – The Association of Flight Attendants- CWA (AFA) issued the following statement today honoring the professionalism of the crew of US Airways flight 1549, five years after AFA US Airways Flight Attendants Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh brought much needed attention to the primary role and purpose of Flight Attendants:
“On January 15, 2009, three US Airways Flight Attendants reminded the world that Flight Attendants serve as first responders onboard each and every commercial flight. In less than two minutes, our flying partners safely evacuated 150 passengers from flight 1549 as the plane sank into the Hudson River, saving the lives of every man, woman and child onboard.
“The experience and professionalism exhibited by Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh serves as a reminder that every day, thousands of Flight Attendants report to work prepared to handle a myriad of potential emergency situations. As First Responders, Flight Attendants must always remain vigilant, prepared to utilize their skills and training at a moment’s notice to ensure passenger safety.
“AFA continues to be grateful to our colleagues for serving as a shining example of the crucial work of Flight Attendants in the cabin. The tremendous outcome of flight 1549 highlighted the heroic actions of the entire crew, as well as fellow First Responders who selflessly responded immediately. Together, these dedicated union members worked as a team and turned Miracle on the Hudson into Professionals and First Responders on the Hudson.”
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.
