FORT WORTH- The president of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) is set to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to discuss concerns about the quality of emergency and evacuation training provided to American Airlines (AA) crew members.
The meeting follows a series of high-profile aviation incidents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive and effective training programs. The APFA aims to ensure that flight attendants are fully prepared to handle real-world emergencies.
Photo: By Colin Brown Photography – https://www.flickr.com/photos/145232442@N02/47072084354/, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81315193American Airlines Flight Attendants Training
American Airlines (AA) conducts initial flight attendants training at its FSU Training Center, located at its headquarters near Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
The program, lasting six weeks, covers critical emergency, safety, security, and medical procedures.
Key components of the training include:
- Emergency aircraft door operation
- Passenger evacuation on land and water
- Firefighting techniques
- Self-defense procedures
- Survival skills
- Water survival training using a large swimming pool
New hire flight attendants must demonstrate proficiency in these areas before being cleared for duty.
However, APFA has expressed concerns over whether the current training adequately reflects real-world emergency scenarios.
Julie Hedrick, the APFA president, along with the union’s head of safety, has scheduled discussions with the FAA to review training procedures at American Airlines.
This initiative comes in response to recent aviation accidents that have underscored the critical role of flight attendants in emergency evacuations.
One such incident occurred at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), where 76 passengers were successfully evacuated from a Delta Air Lines (DL) regional jet operated by Endeavor Air (9E) after it flipped upside down on the runway.
The union cited such events as a reminder of why rigorous emergency training is essential.
APFA representatives have stated: “Recent aviation incidents have highlighted the importance of comprehensive and effective training programs that prepare us for real-world evacuations.”
Photo: American AirlinesRecurrent Training Requirements
Beyond initial training, flight attendants must undergo recurrent training every year at the Fort Worth training center.
Over two days, crew members must once again prove their ability to handle emergency situations, including door operations, passenger evacuations, and various safety drills.
While the FAA mandates annual recurrent training for flight attendants, some airlines, such as Delta (DL) and United (UA), have secured exemptions allowing them to extend this cycle to 18 months. American Airlines (AA), however, continues to follow the annual schedule.
Recent incidents, including the emergency evacuation of an American Airlines aircraft in San Francisco (SFO) due to a cabin fire caused by a passenger’s laptop, have reinforced the importance of maintaining rigorous and frequent training sessions.
Photo: Clément AlloingSafety and Concerns
In addition to training quality, APFA is expected to raise concerns over potential FAA job cuts, which the union has described as “irresponsible.”
These reductions could impact regulatory oversight, potentially affecting training standards and overall flight safety.
According to PYOK, American Airlines has not provided a response regarding the APFA’s concerns or the scheduled meeting with the FAA.
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Delta Air Lines CRJ Plane Crash at Toronto Pearson Airport, Canada
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