Association of Professional Flight Attendants - APFA

APFA commends the incredible professionalism and bravery of the Flight Attendants aboard Endeavor Air/Delta Connection Flight 4819, who successfully evacuated all 76 passengers under extremely adverse conditions after a crash landing at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on February 17, 2025. Their training and critical thinking skills ensured that every passenger was able to exit quickly and safely—a reminder of the essential role Flight Attendants play in saving lives. Safety must always be our top priority. Both initial and recurrent training programs are critical to ensuring the highest levels of safety for passengers and crew. APFA National President Julie Hedrick and APFA Safety Chair Andrew Rhinehart have scheduled a meeting with a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Representative to discuss the quality of training at American Airlines. Recent aviation incidents have highlighted the importance of comprehensive and effective training programs that prepare us for real-world evacuations. Unions, including APFA, are vital stakeholders in ensuring and advocating for the highest air safety standards. As Union members, we must advocate for the funding, training, and protections necessary to maintain the safety of our airspace. Every day, the FAA’s safety workforce ensures that millions of passengers and crew members reach their destinations safely. Their expertise, diligence, and commitment are the backbone of our nation’s aviation system, which is widely considered the gold standard in the world. Recent reports of changes within the FAA, including the mass terminations of technicians of our Union Siblings at Professional Aviation Safety Specialists AFL-CIO, PASS, who are responsible for maintaining and operating critical equipment such as navigational aids, radars, and aircraft communication components, are alarming to those of us whose careers and lives depend on a safe and reliable air transportation system. This comes at a time when the FAA was already short-staffed by 800 technicians. In the wake of the PSA/ American Eagle 5342 tragedy less than one month ago, President Trump avowed his Administration’s commitment to aviation safety. The decision to fire hundreds of FAA employees is irresponsible, particularly under these circumstances, and we echo the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Rick Larsen’s statement that this decision must be reversed immediately. Furthermore, when it comes to promoting safety, we urge the Department of Transportation to focus its efforts on the clear direction given by Congress by implementing the bipartisan 2024 FAA Reauthorization Bill. Read More: https://lnkd.in/ey42anZ6 https://lnkd.in/ey42anZ6

"After years of bargaining, including almost a year of mediated talks with the assistance of the National Mediation Board, and despite the Union's best efforts, American Airlines did not come to the table with an agreement that adequately compensates American's 28,000 Flight Attendants," said APFA National President Julie Hedrick. https://lnkd.in/esSxW5yV

Since 2014, when the previous contract was negotiated, flight attendants have been left with measly starting salaries even as inflation has shot up 33%, Hedrick said According to an employment verification letter from American, which circulated on Reddit a few weeks ago, an entry-level flight attendant can expect to make $27,315 a year, before taxes. https://lnkd.in/exftMHRK

American Airlines flight attendants 'one step closer to a strike' after talks end without agreement: union | Fox Business https://lnkd.in/ehfgacxP

“The latest impasse moves roughly 28,000 flight attendants "one step closer to a strike," according to an announcement from the Association of Professional Flight Attendants. Julie Hendrick, APFA national president, said American (Nasdaq: AAL) did not come to the table with an offer that "adequately compensates" flight attendants and that her organization was pushing for "overdue economic improvements." The union said flight attendants have gone five years without raises.” https://lnkd.in/efuRBHwE

https://lnkd.in/egcFmHrp

https://lnkd.in/eV9dedJN

https://lnkd.in/es2xQDMJ

https://lnkd.in/e9N-fEDP

https://lnkd.in/ejjAgNq3