• Report Inappropriate Conduct of Security Screeners

Some flight attendants are reporting that they are 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".  If the screener refuses, ask to see the security supervisor on duty or ask to see airport police.

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 http://www.afanet.org.

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.

For action to be taken to correct the abuse, you must report the incident.  To stop abuse of crew members by security screening personnel and to pursue any potential legal action that's appropriate, we must have factual reports of incidents.

To report inappropriate treatment at the hands of airport screeners call your AFA Local Council or go on-line at http://www.afanet.org.