In the wake of the Germanwings Flight 9525 tragedy this week, our thoughts are with each of the innocent passengers and crew member on board and their grieving families during this dark time. As the investigation is unfolding, and with each day that passes, new information and insight into how such a devastating event could take place is coming to light. We have now been alerted by the prosecutor that the alleged reason for the crash was the Co-Pilot’s intent to bring down the A320 aircraft carrying 149 others on board. With the IAMAW being the United States’ largest aviation union, such an extreme announcement has sent shock waves through each of us.
With that said, the news and media outlets here at home have not only covered this incomprehensible loss, but they have now exposed each and every front line crewmember and passenger to a new threat. CNN, MSNBC and the Los Angeles Times are a few who have showcased step-by-step instructions from Airbus depicting how the Captain of Flight 9525 was locked out of the cockpit, and the procedures normally in place for the crewmembers to access the cockpit when necessary. Certain information, such as this step-by-step tutorial, should be considered security-sensitive information. These safety measures have been put in place as a solution to the acts of terrorism on September 11, 2001. Although we should always strive for higher safety standards, these doors have kept hundreds of thousands of flights safe over the past 13.5 years.
We urge not only our hard working aviation professionals to reach out to the media, but all of our brothers and sisters to reach out and push for stronger limitations on what the media exposes regarding crewmembers’ safety, as well as the safety of the flying public. This highly exposed media coverage now places Flight Attendants in imminent danger, with the risk of being forced to comply with the demands of any rogue passengers who have a goal of breaching the cockpit. This tutorial has not helped any ordinary civilian in understanding the specific issue during Flight 9525 as much as it has gotten the attention of an unknown number of potential threats that could arise with this new found knowledge.
We are committed to keeping each and every member of our great union safe when they enter their work place. We have some of the greatest flight attendants in our union, and they deserve to go to work with the confidence and respect of the American people. To all of the news and media agencies across the world, consider the information you are displaying and justify whether or not it is necessary to jeopardize future flights in order to portray your coverage.
To our brothers and sisters at Lufthansa and Germanwings, we stand by you through this heartbreak, and we are committed to fight for stronger and more efficient safety measures for the future of our coworkers and the flying public.
Please reach out to these news organizations or any you feel are threatening our safety with their coverage of Germanwings 9525:
1-888-369-4762 Fox News
1-212-664-4444 MSNBC
1-404-827-1500 CNN
In Solidarity,
Sara Gonzales Melissa Brennan
Air Transport District 142
