AFA Launches Campaign Against The Proposal

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) has begun an extensive public and congressional outreach campaign aimed at reversing a decision by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that could lead to in-flight cell phone voice calls being allowed onboard commercial aircraft.

"Flight attendants and passengers are united on this issue – there should be no voice calls in-flight. As first responders in the aircraft cabin, flight attendants know that this reckless FCC proposal would have negative effects on aviation safety and security," said Veda Shook, AFA International President. "The use of cell phones for voice communication poses unacceptable risks to the security and safety of America's civil aviation system and must not be permitted."

The FCC announced its intention on November 21 to review the current ban on in-flight cell phone voice calls, and voted to proceed with the review last week. Over the past three weeks, AFA has been engaging flight attendants around the issue. Already, hundreds of flight attendants have reached out to congressional representatives in support of a letter by Reps. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Michael Grimm (R-CA) that was submitted to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler yesterday strongly encouraging the continuation of the current ban. In addition, AFA continues to be a strong supporter of two recent bills introduced by Rep. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) that would offer legislation to keep the ban in place permanently.

"In far too many operational scenarios, passengers making phone calls could extend beyond a mere nuisance, creating risks that are far too great.  As the last line of defense in our nation's aviation system, flight attendants understand the importance of maintaining a calm cabin environment, and passengers agree. Repeatedly, studies have shown that a large majority of the American public agrees that voice calls have no place inside the cabin. The FCC should take heed and reverse this nonsensical plan that only stands to benefit a few manufacturers and vendors, and take into consideration the impact it would have on flight attendants and the travelling public," said Shook.

FMI: www.afacwa.org