Contents:

• Flight Attendants Issue Security Alert
• AFA Scholarship Fund
• AFA's Legislative Hotline Message

WASHINGTON, DC   Flight attendants at a number of airlines are issuing a security alert for air carriers that are requiring flight attendants to conduct new exhaustive security searches in addition to current pre-flight safety checks, without allotting the training or additional time needed to conduct them 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 daily searches of aircraft for suspicious and dangerous materials after Sept.  11.  The DOT Rapid Response Team on aircraft security, appointed by DOT Secretary Norman Mineta, recommended that airlines not use flight or cabin crew to conduct the cabin searches, and that sufficient time and training be provided to the personnel conducting the searches.  A number of airlines are violating this recommendation.

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.  This threatens the security and safety of the aircraft and everyone onboard.

"Aircraft searches are not a formality," said Patricia Friend, International President of the Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO.  "Security is not the airlines' main objective when management doesn't use trained personnel or allow enough time to conduct a thorough security search.  These airlines are shirking their responsibility for security by doing only what's fastest and
cheapest."

AFA has attempted to work with management at the carriers to revise the security search procedures to provide trained personnel and the appropriate amount of time for the searches.  AirTran and Horizon Airlines are working with AFA representatives to make their policies as secure as possible.

The carriers that have refused to change their policy requiring flight attendants to conduct the security searches without training or adequate time are: 

• Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Southeast Airlines
• United Express and Delta Connection carrier Atlantic Coast Airlines/ACJet;
• United Express carrier Air Wisconsin
• US Airways Express carriers Allegheny, Piedmont and PSA.

In 1993 Dee Maki, then AFA President, established a scholarship program for dependents of AFA members. Dee (PHW), provided the fund's first donation and the Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Fund exists today due to donations by members, an annual contribution by AFA and from other supporting organizations.

The fund's purpose is to further the education of promising young women and men who are dependents of AFA members in good standing who otherwise would not have the opportunity for higher education.

Applications can be obtained through the AFA International Office - 800-424-2401, Georgeanne Wiggin - ext 826, or from your local AFA Office.  Plans are also underway to post the scholarship application on the AFA international website.

AFA 2002 Scholarship Fund applications must be received by APRIL 10 at:

The Association of Flight Attendants Scholarship Committee
P.O. Box 212
Warrenton, Virginia  22186

The House and the Senate return today from the Holiday and New Year's recess.  It will be a short week with the House scheduled to consider legislation to reauthorize programs to preserve and protect Asian elephants and another bill (S.1762) that would establish a fixed interest rate for educational loans.  The Senate may consider legislation to increase border security and immigration control.

Congress returns for the second session of the 107th Congress with a full agenda.  Remaining issues include

• Passage of an economic stimulus package
• Campaign finance and election reform
• Energy policy legislation
• Fast-track trade legislation
• Democratic efforts to increase the minimum wage.

The main focus in the early days of this session will be on the economic stimulus package.  AFA will work closely with members of Congress and the AFL-CIO to ensure that any economic stimulus package does not just contain tax breaks for corporations.

AFA will continue to lobby Congress that any economic stimulus package must also include:

• Assistance to laid off workers for paying health insurance benefits
• Continuation of unemployment insurance and retraining.

AFA will also continue to work on issues such as:

• Limiting carry-on bags
• Pesticide spraying on international flights
• Certification of flight attendants as safety professionals
• Ensuring OSHA protections for flight attendants

Thank you for being involved in the legislative process.

If you have any questions about the Government Affairs Department's activities or Congressional activities, please feel free to call the Government Affairs Department at 1-800- 424-2401 ext 801.