Flight Attendants Union Coalition Launches Nationwide Opposition to Knives in Cabin

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Flight Attendants Union Coalition, representing nearly 90,000 Flight Attendants at carriers across the county, is coordinating a nationwide legislative and public campaign to reverse yesterday's announcement from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that effective April 25, knives would be allowed in the aircraft cabin for the first time since 9/11.  The Coalition will utilize a series of tactics to apply pressure, starting with an online petition to the White House.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110302/DC58223LOGO)

"Flight Attendants are outraged.  We are the last line of defense in aviation security and time does not change the fact that we were among the first to die in a war we didn't know we were fighting on September 11, 2001.  At great cost, we know better today.  There is no excuse for this.

"Since yesterday's announcement, our unions have received an overwhelming response of outrage from members and passengers across the country. This policy reversal is against the best interest of the security of crew and passengers in the aircraft cabin and we will stop at nothing to fight it.  We encourage all those who agree and wish to join our growing coalition to sign the petition at http://1.usa.gov/10gBQ78.

"Our nation's aviation system is the safest in the world thanks to multi-layered security measures that include prohibition on many items that could pose a threat to the integrity of the aircraft cabin. The continued ban on dangerous objects is an integral layer in aviation security and must remain in place.

"We will continue to oppose this dangerous approach to aviation security until the TSA reverses the decision and keeps knives and other dangerous objects out of the aircraft cabin and on the ground where they belong," said leaders from the five unions.

Media Contacts: Corey Caldwell, AFA-CWA, [email protected], (202) 434-0586; Jamie Horwitz, TWU, [email protected]; Leslie Mayo, APFA, [email protected]; James Carlson, IAM, [email protected]; Galen Munroe, IBT, [email protected].

The Coalition of Flight Attendant Unions coordinates on issues of mutual interest to Flight Attendants. Members of the Coalition are the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, Association of Professional Flight Attendants, Transport Workers Union, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

SOURCE Association of Flight Attendants-CWA