Contents:

• Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners
• Flight Attendants Issue Security Alert for Cincinnati

International Airport - To Leaflet in Pittsburgh on March 8
• United Airlines Recalls 1,200 Flight Attendants
• Airports Can't Meet Deadline to Screen All Bags
• U.S. Government Orders Airlines to Close VIP Lines
• Location Change for Arbitration Case #74-01,

"Probationary Terminations/No Furlough"

Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners

We continue to hear stories of flight attendants as the targets of abusive behavior, including illicit touching, by security screeners.

If you are targeted for a hand pat-down and are uncomfortable being patted-down by a screener of another sex, ask for a "same sex pat-down."  Here's what you should do if a security screener targets you for abusive behavior:

Ask to see the security supervisor on duty.  If the supervisor is unavailable, ask the screener to call airport police.  Let them know that you are not objecting to the increased security and screening, but feel that you are being abused by the screener.

File a report of the incident with the supervisor or airport police. Be sure to also report the incident to your AFA Local Council.  In your report, include your name, airline, domicile, location of the incident, time, date, and if possible, the name of the security company and the name of the screener.  You can also report an incident on-line at www.afanet.org.

Document abuse to the FAA and AFA by going to the Online Reporting Form: www.afanet.org/inappropriate_screening.htm

While increased security measures are necessary, inappropriate treatment of crew members is unacceptable.  And depending on the circumstances of the incident, it may be illegal.

Stop abuse by security screening personnel - report the incident. 
http://www.afanet.org/inappropriate_security_screening_flyer.htm
 

US Airways Express Carrier PSA Airlines' Flight Attendants Say Airline is Skimping on Security Searches

Flight Attendants Leafleting at Cincinnati International Airport Sunday, February 24, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON, DC -Flight attendants at US Airways Express carrier PSA Airlines are issuing a security alert for Cincinnati International Airport.  The flight attendants will be leafleting at Cincinnati Airport inside Terminal One on Sunday, February 24 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

PSA is one of seven airlines requiring flight attendants to conduct new security searches in addition to current pre-flight safety checks, without allotting the training or additional time needed to conduct the new searches thoroughly and effectively. Flight attendants are required by law to conduct pre-flight safety checks of emergency equipment before each flight. Carriers allot the minimum amount of time needed to conduct the emergency equipment checks prior to boarding.  These checks were in place prior to Sept. 11. 

The FAA mandated searches of aircraft for suspicious and dangerous materials after Sept. 11.  Flight attendants have received no additional training to conduct the new security searches.  And because of the time crunch brought on by the added duties, ground supervisors are pressuring flight attendants - sometimes wielding the threat of discipline - to cut the searches short so passengers can be boarded and an "on-time" departure achieved.

PSA flight attendants also plan to leaflet in Pittsburgh on March 8. Other dates and airports will be announced in the weeks to come.

United Airlines Recalls 1,200 Flight Attendants

The Association of Flight Attendants at United is pleased to announce that 1200 additional Involuntarily Furloughed Flight Attendants will be called back to the line effective April 1st, 2002.  They estimate that this recall will reach Flight Attendants in the November 6th, 2000 class.

UAL has said that this recall is to keep up with their increased April flight schedule.  UAL has also said it plans to furlough fewer pilots than initially planned.

Feb. 20, 2002, 8:11PM
By JIM BARLOW
Copyright 2002 Houston Chronicle

By the end of this year, all of the nation's 429 airports will have machines in place to screen baggage for explosives.  Won't they?

It must be done.  The Congress of the United States of America has so decreed that it will be done.

Well, Congress is about to find out the lesson already known to King Canute.  Passing a law doesn't hold back the tide.

The screening issue is part of a giant change in security for airports.  Airlines have always been responsible for screening passengers.  No more.  Now the new Transportation Security Agency is in charge.

But when Congress set up the new agency earlier this year, the law decreed the impossible.  By Dec.  31, every bag will be checked for explosives.

There's just one problem.  The machines that do that job are simply not available.

Read the Houston Chronicle article: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/business/1264497

U.S. Government Orders Airlines to Close VIP Lines

Wednesday February 20 7:49 PM ET
By John Crawley

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S.  government has told commercial airlines to close the VIP lines that allow their most valued customers, mainly business travelers, to avoid long waits for security checks at airports, officials said on Wednesday.

The elimination of the perk was ordered by the Transportation Security Administration, which took over airport passenger and baggage screening from the airlines at more than 420 airports this week.

Transportation officials said the decision to do away with VIP lines reflected a move to make the overhaul of airport security equitable since it is now a federal function.

The VIP lines cut the wait for passenger and baggage screening to minutes, instead of an hour or more, and allowed business travelers to spend less time at the airport.

Read more: http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20020220/ts/airlines_security_dc_5.html

AFA and the Company have agreed to change the location for the upcoming arbitration case #30-99-02-74-01, "Probationary Terminations/No Furlough" scheduled for February 26 - 27, 2002.

The new location:

Marriott Key Bridge
1401 Lee Highway
Arlington, Va 22209

703-524-6400

Parking: $10.00 per day
By Metro: Take Blue Line to Rosslyn. Walk two blocks to Marriott.
Or a short cab ride from DCA airport.

The purpose for the change of location from Company headquarters to the Marriott is that an audience is anticipated as flight attendants and MEC members have expressed interest in observing the proceedings.

The audience gallery will be 15 -20 seats theater style off to one side of the meeting table.

Despite the change in location, the Company has indicated that they may ask to close the meeting to all but elected representatives (no general audience) to protect potentially confidential material from the Company.