The vanguard
09/14/2021 6:23 AM
Clarín.com
Travels
Updated 9/14/2021 6:23 AM
A survey by the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA - an organization that groups together flight attendants in the United States - revealed that
more than 85 percent of air workers
in that country felt harassed by misbehavior from passengers during 2021.
The survey, carried out between
June and July 2021
, has revealed the situation of more than 5,000 assistants from
30 airlines in the country
.
According to the consultancy firm specializing in air safety
Airline Ratings
, more than half of the professionals surveyed - 58 percent - confessed to having had
at least five incidents
, and 17 percent have declared having suffered physical abuse.
Likewise, 60 percent have also reported receiving
sexist, racist or homophobic insults
during the incidents.
A fight aboard the plane.
Photo ALFREDO RIVERA via REUTERS
The workers have denounced the situation they suffer and are calling
for drastic measures to be taken
against these behaviors.
"I have been yelled at, cursed and threatened countless times in the last year and the most serious punishment the author has received has been a temporary suspension of the trip," an airline worker indignantly exposes.
"We need
real sanctions
so that flight attendants feel safe at work again," he adds.
And the fact is that seven out of ten respondents who state that they have reported an incident to management regret that no follow-up has been carried out or efforts have been made to address the problem.
The chinstrap
One of the most problematic issues in the context of the current pandemic is the use of a chinstrap, mask or face mask.
The legislation of the United States, like that of most countries, establishes that this element is
mandatory
both inside aircraft and at airports.
The use of the chinstrap often triggers arguments.
Photo Shutterstock
To the almost four thousand complaints filed since the beginning of the year by airline workers for the behavior of uncivil passengers, there are also the nearly three thousand parts of travelers who refuse to comply with the federal mandate to wear the mask, not counting among they the ones who wear it incorrectly.
In Search of Solutions
However, flight attendants believe that the increase in incidents goes well beyond discussions about the chinstrap.
"This survey confirms what we all know,
verbal and physical hostility and abuse
from a small group of passengers is completely out of control and puts other passengers and crew at risk," stated Sara Nelson, president of AFA-CWA.
Cabin crew members point out that there is an increase in incidents.
"There is much more at stake here and the solutions are to implement a series of actions in coordination with all aviation. The FAA must apply the policy of '
zero tolerance
' and the Department of Justice must instruct criminal procedures," concludes the specialist.
When asked about the situations that generate the bad behavior of some passengers, the interviewees coincide in relating it to the obligation to use a mask, excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, routine safety reminders in case of emergency and delays and cancellations of the flights.
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