Imagine boarding your next flight and hearing, “Welcome aboard today’s flight from New York to Denver. Unfortunately, we will be making a brief stop in Chicago to remove a couple of disruptive passengers. But once they are detained, we will be en route to our final destination.” No one wants to hear that. Flight Attendants would much prefer to deliver the announcement, “sit back, relax and enjoy this flight.”
Over the past few weeks, three flights were diverted due to passenger conflicts in the cabin. These issues help shine a light on what every flight attendant deals with on a regular basis. We must be prepared and vigilant in the event we are faced with conflicts in the cabin, or worse.
This is the reality of traveling in today’s post-9/11 world. Ever since the tragic events of that fateful day, flight attendants go to work with an even greater sense of responsibility. Aviation security at tens of thousands of feet in the air in a metal tube leaves no room for error.
Every day, roughly 30,000 flights take off and land safely, with virtually no disruption. That impeccable record is why U.S. airlines rank as the safest aviation system in the world. It is a testament to our nation’s flight attendants. We are aviation’s first responders and also its last line of defense. However, as our industry continues to try to find a new normal, the traveling experience becomes increasingly stressful.
Today’s aircraft cabin has become ripe for conflict, with the bare minimum flight attendant staffing on hand to manage it. Since 9/11, Flight Attendants have been successful in coping and adapting to the new reality of air travel. We are more vigilant than ever, more focused on any potential situation that could threaten the safety of the cabin. Through training and countless hours of in-flight experience, today’s flight attendant is extremely adept at de-escalating conflict before situations get out of hand and threaten the safety of a flight.
The recent flight diversions highlight the evolution of our profession and the seriousness of cabin safety. On every flight, we work together to keep our skies safe. We do this as part of our solemn vow to “Never Forget” the sacrifice of our crewmember heroes of Sept. 11, 2001. Our work each day is a tribute to their memory.
Today’s message is simple: listen to your Flight Attendants. The safety and security of our flights is our highest priority as we look after each other and the passengers in our care. Never Forget.
