Association of Flight Attendants-CWA

United Airlines' regional carrier Air Wisconsin faces labor unrest

This article was originally published by the Chicago Business Journal on September 17, 2018.

AFA Resources for Hurricane Florence, Super Typhoon 'Mangkhut' 

There are three storms affecting life and airline operations across the world this week. Hurricane Florence has made landfall in North Carolina and is causing life-threatening conditions for people in the Carolinas and along the East Coast. Typhoon Mangkhut has already hit Northern Mariana Islands and Guam and continues its path towards the Philippines and Hawaii. Tropical Storm Isaac is passing through the Caribbean. 

Staying Safe During and After a Hurricane From Your AFA EAP

During a Hurricane

During a hurricane, howling winds, driving rain, and the threat of tornadoes make riding out a hurricane a scary ordeal. Follow these below tips for staying safe in your home during a hurricane:

• Stay inside and away from windows, skylights, and glass doors. Find a safe area in your home (an interior room, a closet or bathroom on the lower level).
• If flooding threatens your home, turn off electricity at the main breaker.
• If you lose power, turn off major appliances such as the air conditioner and water heater to reduce damage.
• Do not use electrical appliances, including your computer.
• Do not go outside. If the eye of the storm passes over your area, there will be a short period of calm, but at the other side of the eye, the wind speed rapidly increases to hurricane force and will come from the opposite direction. Also, do not go outside to see "what the wind feels like." It is too easy to be hit by flying debris.
• Beware of lightning. Stay away from electrical equipment. Don't use the phone or take a bath/shower during the storm.

After a Hurricane

More deaths and injury occur after a hurricane hits than during. Usually because people are too anxious to get outside and survey the damage and come into contact with downed power lines or unstable trees. Follow these suggestions for staying safe after a hurricane:

• Remain indoors until an official "all clear" is given.
• Do not touch fallen or low-hanging wires of any kind under any circumstances. Stay away from puddles with wires in or near them. Do not touch trees or other objects in contact with power lines.
• USE PHONES FOR EMERGENCIES ONLY. Call 911 only for life-threatening situations.
• Call police or utility companies immediately to report hazards such as downed power lines, broken gas or water mains, overturned gas tanks, or any other dangerous situation you come across.
• Watch for weakened roads, bridges, tree limbs or porches that could collapse unexpectedly.
• After power is restored, check refrigerated food for spoilage. (Spoiled food is the cause of much sickness two days to a week after the storm.)
• When reinstalling a CB, TV or satellite antenna, check in all directions to be sure no power lines are nearby. The same goes for climbing trees to clear debris.
• Do not operate charcoal grills, propane camping stoves or generators indoors.

Resources and information for Flight Attendants Affected by Hurricanes 

United attendants face long wait at Flight 93 Memorial

This article was originally posted on ABC 27 News on September 11, 2018. 

Hurricane Florence: Flight Attendants Stay Safe

September 14, 2018 - Hurricane Florence has made landfall in North Carolina, but its crawling pace and overwhelming storm surges are setting up hours and hours of destruction and human suffering -- with dozens desperately awaiting rescue in one flooded city alone.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month

September 6, 2018 - 54% - More than half of people who died by suicide did not have a known mental health condition.