Flight Attendants are urging all individuals to take action by calling their members of Congress to support the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act.
The proposed Protection from Abusive Passengers Act (H.R. 2384/S. 1058) aims to combat physical or sexual assault, intimidation, and abuse committed by airline passengers against the crew or fellow passengers, both on board and at airports. The bill seeks to establish a TSA-managed program that would prohibit convicted offenders from flying on commercial aircraft, while ensuring fairness, process transparency, and due process by providing notice and guidelines for appeal and removal from the list. The severity of the offense will determine the duration of the ban.
According to a 2021 survey of 5,000 Flight Attendants, over 85% of respondents experienced unruly passengers, with more than half encountering at least five incidents this year. Additionally, 17% reported physical abuse.
The proposed Act seeks to enhance penalties and serve as a strong deterrent to reduce disruptions to the national aviation system and ensure the safety of frontline aviation crews and passengers. Therefore, Flight Attendants are calling on all individuals to contact their U.S. Representatives and Senators and urge them to co-sponsor the Protection from Abusive Passengers Act to hold violent passengers accountable, protect aviation workers, and improve aviation safety.
As part of our commitment to this initiative, we are joining the Communication Workers of America (CWA), Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), and Transport Workers Union (TWU) in a Day of Action in calling the U.S. Representatives and Senators in urging them to co-sponsor the Protection from Disruptive Passenger Act.
Here is a sample script –
“Hello Representative/Senator _______, I am a constituent and a (Flight Attendant, Frequent Traveler, or concerned constituent). It’s time to take action to stop disruptive behavior at our airport and on planes. The Protection from Abusive Act will serve as a strong deterrent against bad behavior and is needed to improve the safety of frontline aviation crews, agents, and passengers to minimize disruptions to aviation and restore confidence in air travel. I urge you to co-sponsor this legislation today. Thank you.”