at Western Michigan University, has significantly contributed to the airline community in her present role as researcher in air crew safety and security. Her background as a flight attendant, pilot, and ground instructor as well as her degree in Human Factors in Aviation qualifies her to pose some serious questions concerning the state of security in the cabin. She has studied CRM issues and communication between flight attendants and the flight deck in depth and concludes that, “The cabin crew is essential to the safety of the aircraft and passengers. Effective communication and synergy between the flight deck and cabin crew has never been more significant and challenging.” (Brown 2010)
Still, airlines have been slow to
revamp their CRM programmes and most crews see what’s offered as a waste of time. Lack of improved, joint (pilot/flight attendant) training creates a gap in communication and coordination which has already been impeded by the flight deck door.
Effective Security Training Following 9/11, the US Congress specifically acknowledged the urgent need for flight attendant security training with the air Transportation Security Act (2001), Homeland Security Act (2002), and the FAA Reauthorisation Act (2003). This legislation called for a basic, mandatory level of security training including provisions for crew communication and coordination, terrorist psychology and basic moves for self-defence. There was also a provision that the TSA must further develop regulations and guidelines for a more aggressive method of self- defence training to be more physical in nature. At the last minute the language for the basic security training was changed from “the TSA shall issue these guidelines” to “the TSA may issue these guidelines.” With the change of just one word, TSA industry- wide guidelines were removed. The result: some airlines have succeeded in keeping flight attendant security training almost non-existent. Patricia Friend, International
President of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), represents 55,000 flight attendants at 20 carriers. Speaking before the Full Committee Hearing: Aviation Security in 2004 she stated, “Unbelievably, over three years after the horrific events of September
December 2011 Aviationsecurityinternational Hosted by:
“
...the language for the basic security training was changed from “the TSA shall issue these guidelines” to “the TSA may issue these guidelines.” With the change of just one word, TSA industry-wide guidelines were removed...”
11th, 2001 we still have not been trained to appropriately handle a security crisis onboard our airplanes.” Three years later she testified again saying, “Unfortunately…nothing has changed since that horrible day. We are no better prepared today to handle a situation like that which occurred on September 11th and our training is still woefully inadequate.” (Friend 2007) The TSA does offer a one-day (6 to 8 hour) CMSDT (Crew Member Self-Defence Training) which is more physical, hands-on and aggressive, and is specifically designed for combat
within the constraints of the airline cabin but it remains strictly voluntary. Flight
attendants must travel to training at their own expense, on their time off and find their own lodging. Not many flight attendants can absorb those costs.
Onboard Security Equipment In addition to outdated security training “The aircraft cabin lacks some basic equipment that is meaningful to security,” says Brown, “Currently, the only communication device available for cabin and flight deck crew is aircraft
www.asi-mag.com
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