Our Fellow DCA Flight Attendants 

The past year has been difficult for us for a variety of reasons, starting with 9/11 and continuing to our company problems of bankruptcy and furloughs.   Now we are faced with another dilemma: the sniper attacks in our area.  In light of recent events, your AFA EAP committee has compiled what we hope will be some useful information to help you and your family during these times: 
 

Safety Tips 

• Avoid unnecessary errands 
• Do not stand outside your vehicle to get things out of your car 
• If you go to the store, put items in the back seat, not the trunk, so you can grab items and leave quickly 
• When slowing down or at a stop keep windows closed 
• Never walk straight to a door more than 20 feet away; zigzag and walk at angles 
• Park as close as possible and walk between cars to use them as protection 
• Look around and make it obvious (e.g. looking over your shoulder and into the distance); he may hesitate if he thinks he has been noticed 
• Keep clear of abandoned vehicles but be concerned about them; he may be parking the vehicle and walking to his destination 
• If you see something you think is suspicious, call 911 immediately; if you have any ideas that may be helpful to the police, call the tip line: 1-888-324-9800

Children under 10: Focus more on reassuring your children of their safety and less on the facts (give them facts that are age appropriate).  You may need to show affection more often than usual to reinforce feelings of security and safety. 

Children over 10: Children over 10 should have a better grasp of what has happened.  Encourage them to ask you questions they may have about the attacks.  Answer them honestly; even if you don’t know the answers, say so.  Also, share your feelings, to the appropriate extent for their age, so they know they are not alone in what they are feeling. 

All ages: Get them to talk to you about what they feel.  If they have trouble expressing verbally, have them use creative ways (poems, drawings, etc.) to exhibit thoughts and feelings. 
 

• Maintain a “normal” routine as much as possible; however, keep in mind that some children may have problems concentrating on schoolwork or getting to bed at night. 
• Monitor or restrict viewing of news information according to age.

-CrisisLink: 703-527-4077 or 1-800-784-2433 

-Fredericksburg area 24-Hour Crisis Line: 540-373-6876 

-Montgomery County Crisis Line: 240-777-4000* 

-Montgomery County Mental Health: 301-738-2255* 

-Prince George’s County Mental Health Hotline: 301-864-7153/7161/7130 * 

*For other Maryland areas: 1-800-422-0009 

-DC Mental Health Helpline: 1-888-793-4357 

-Red Cross Counseling: 1-877-746-4964 

Also, your EAP Committee is available to help: 

Annette Hill 703-212-0580 
ahill@afausairways.org 

Stephanie Spencer  703-385-1919 

Kathryn Vieweg  540-687-3737
kvieweg@afausairways.org 

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Bob Kenia, LEC President 703-690-6859 Office 703-690-9350 Fax	Alin Boswell, LEC VP 703-212-8090 office 703-212-8089 fax	Katie Whitney, LEC Secretary 703-719-6940 office 703-719-6935 fax
bkenia@afausairways.org	alin@afausairways.org	kwhitney@afausairways.org