January 8, 2021
Not-So-Friendly Skies as Political Aggression Fuels American Airlines Flight
READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Long gone are the days of peanuts and cocktail nips. Boarding a flight in the Trump era has become an incubator for confrontation, and flight attendants aren't having it.
An American Airlines flight bound for Washington D.C. hit turbulence (of the passenger variety) when, according to ABC News, a shouting match ensued between passengers after an alleged death threat was made toward Trump supporters who had projected a "Trump 2020" logo on the interior of the aircraft.
President Sara Nelson of The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) International released a statement following the incident and subsequent breaching of the Capitol on January 6:
"Air travel is safe because everyone follows a strict set of rules, based on the spirit that 'we're all in this together.' The mob mentality behavior that took place on several flights to the D.C. area yesterday was unacceptable and threatened the safety and security of every single person onboard. It will not happen again. There's a reason that there are strict penalties and fines for failing to comply with crewmember instructions. Enforcement keeps everyone safe.
"Our first priority in aviation safety and security is to keep any problems on the ground. Some of the people who traveled in our planes yesterday participated in the insurrection at the Capitol today. Their violent and seditious actions at the Capitol today create further concern about their departure from the D.C. area. Acts against our democracy, our government, and the freedom we claim as Americans must disqualify these individuals from the freedom of flight.
"We in aviation have a serious role to play in national security. Airlines, in coordination with TSA, DHS, FAA, DOT and law enforcement must take all steps to ensure the safety and security of passengers and crew by keeping all problems on the ground."
