Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

Washington, DC (January 15, 2018) – On the ninth anniversary of the extraordinary landing on the Hudson, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) issued the following statement honoring the expert work of the crew of US Airways Flight 1549:

“On January 15, 2009, three US Airways Flight Attendants, Donna Dent, Sheila Dail, and Doreen Welsh, reminded the world that Flight Attendants serve as aviation’s first responders and last line of defense on every flight. Leaning on their training and experience, in less than two minutes, the three Flight Attendants orchestrated the safe evacuation of 150 men, women and children as the plane sank into the ice-filled Hudson River.

“The inspiring outcome of the potentially tragic events on flight 1549 is a tribute to Union Members everywhere; from the pilot landing on the Hudson and the New York area Air Traffic controllers to the ferry boat operators and emergency response teams. The 'Miracle on the Hudson' would not have been a miracle without everyone involved doing exactly what needed to be done at just the right moment. Union members made the difference. AFA is proud of the crew of Flight 1549 and the work done every day by Flight Attendants, pilots, ground crew, and all members of the aviation family.”

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The Association of Flight Attendants is the Flight Attendant union. Focused 100 percent on Flight Attendant issues, AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for 72 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 50,000 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.