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FAA Certifies Flight Attendants as Safety, Security Professionals
In the final weeks of 2003 congressional action, the Association of Flight Attendants won a long-time goal: the certification and recognition of flight attendants for their role as safety and security professionals.
Under the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, adopted by Congress and signed by the President, flight attendants will be certified for the safety, security and medical training they already receive, said AFA-CWA President Pat Friend.
"This is a great accomplishment for our members, providing real recognition to attendants for the critical safety and security protections they provide to passengers and crew," Friend said.
Until now, "flight attendants were the only safety-sensitive aviation employees that did not have the FAA certify the successful completion of their required safety training," she added.
The law provides for the certification of all current flight attendants, who will receive their proof of certification within one year. New attendants will receive their certification within 120 days of passing their required FAA training. The certification plan does not require any new training or medical clearance for attendants.
The reauthorization legislation also directs the FAA to monitor air quality problems on board aircraft, obtain and analyze samples, study cabin pressurization issues and establish an air quality incident reporting system. Friend stressed that AFA-CWA will continue to fight for industry-wide standards on safety and security training and to reinforce the need for the full participation of carriers. When certified, flight attendants should receive the same level of training, she added.
The certification also is important because it will help lead to the portability of jobs and the development of uniform standards for this training among carriers, AFA-CWA pointed out.
Attendants are trained in a variety of safety and security techniques, ranging from emergency and evacuation procedures to first aid and medical-related care.
Despite this extensive training, they had been the only airline work group not covered by the FAA's certification program. Now, attendants will be recognized for their professionalism and management will be forced to recognize that their professional role is an important piece in the safety of the entire aircraft, the union said.
Under the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, adopted by Congress and signed by the President, flight attendants will be certified for the safety, security and medical training they already receive, said AFA-CWA President Pat Friend.
"This is a great accomplishment for our members, providing real recognition to attendants for the critical safety and security protections they provide to passengers and crew," Friend said.
Until now, "flight attendants were the only safety-sensitive aviation employees that did not have the FAA certify the successful completion of their required safety training," she added.
The law provides for the certification of all current flight attendants, who will receive their proof of certification within one year. New attendants will receive their certification within 120 days of passing their required FAA training. The certification plan does not require any new training or medical clearance for attendants.
The reauthorization legislation also directs the FAA to monitor air quality problems on board aircraft, obtain and analyze samples, study cabin pressurization issues and establish an air quality incident reporting system. Friend stressed that AFA-CWA will continue to fight for industry-wide standards on safety and security training and to reinforce the need for the full participation of carriers. When certified, flight attendants should receive the same level of training, she added.
The certification also is important because it will help lead to the portability of jobs and the development of uniform standards for this training among carriers, AFA-CWA pointed out.
Attendants are trained in a variety of safety and security techniques, ranging from emergency and evacuation procedures to first aid and medical-related care.
Despite this extensive training, they had been the only airline work group not covered by the FAA's certification program. Now, attendants will be recognized for their professionalism and management will be forced to recognize that their professional role is an important piece in the safety of the entire aircraft, the union said.