"Flight attendants serve a vital role in protecting the safety and security of passengers and crew inside the aircraft cabin. We should be provided the tools and resources necessary to ensure the integrity of the cabin is not compromised," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "For years, AFA-CWA has worked alongside industry experts in identifying measures that would help to enhance safety and we look for those measures to be implemented quickly."

AFA-CWA's counterterrorism strategy comes in the form of hands-on training, enhanced communication techniques, and carry-on bag limitations. Mandatory, hands-on and situational training for crew members and providing the resources necessary for recognizing and physically reacting to on-board terrorist activity are other elements of the plan. In addition, AFA-CWA recommends that on-board wi-fi systems used by passengers be kept off during periods of high risk as defined by the Department of Homeland Security.

For over 60 years, the Association of Flight Attendants has been serving as the voice for flight attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill.  More than 50,000 flight attendants at 22 airlines come together to form AFA-CWA, the world's largest flight attendant union. AFA is part of the 700,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO.