FLIGHTPAC INCENTIVE PROGRAM
FlightPAC is AFA’s Political Action Committee and was established to formalize our organized political power. Through voluntary contributions to FlightPAC, AFA Members help financially support the campaigns of our allies and friends in Congress. FlightPAC gives support to candidates who are committed to helping us accomplish our legislative goals.
FlightPAC is non-partisan. When it comes to endorsing members of Congress who are supportive of our legislative goals, party affiliation is irrelevant. What is relevant is the candidate’s commitment to Flight Attendants, aviation and labor issues. While it often seems that FlightPAC gives to more Democrats than Republicans, it is only because more Democrats support our issues.
FlightPAC endorsements are made by AFA’s FlightPAC Steering Committee, made up of AFA International Officers and the AFA Political/Legislative Policy Committee. A contribution to a candidate’s campaign is made after a thorough examination of the candidates completed FlightPAC questionnaire. The questionnaire is sent to the candidate by request.
AFA may be invited to events sponsored by the candidate either before or after a FlightPAC endorsement, providing AFA with exposure to the candidate. These events are often held locally.
ELECTIONS 2012
In less than 5 months, Americans will go to the polls to elect a President, 33 U.S. Senators and all 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Flight Attendants have an enormous stake in the outcome of this election as the actions of the President and his Administration, as well as the U.S. Congress and state and local governments directly affect our lives on and off the airplane.
It is critical that when we, as Flight Attendants, cast our votes that we are making an informed decision and that the voices of Flight Attendants around the world are heard on Tuesday, November 6, 2012.
As a result of a MEC Grievance AFA won in 1985, during any election year the company will allow AFA to set up a voter registration table with the appropriate identification at each domicile office. The information table may be staffed or unstaffed and will remain in place for a maximum of two weeks unless additional time is approved by the Onboard Services Manager.
KNOWN CREWMEMBER
On May 22, the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee approved Fiscal Year 2013 funding legislation for the Department of Homeland Security. Language included in this appropriations bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish procedures to allow Flight Attendants to participate in the same expedited screening program available to airline pilots.
Flight Attendants were intended to be included in alternate screening procedures. The Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 mandated inclusion of Flight Attendants in any established expedited access through screening checkpoints.
Pilots have been participating in test alternate screening procedures since May 2007, when the TSA approved the Crew Personnel Advanced Screening Program (CrewPass). The Known Crewmember Program (KCM) was launched at seven U.S. hub airports in April 2011. KCM is a joint initiative between the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) and Airlines for America (A4A), formerly the Air Transport Association or ATA, in cooperation with the TSA.
The KCM program enables TSA officers to verify identity and employment status of crewmembers and is currently available for use by airline pilots. Both ALPA and A4A have requested that the TSA expand the program to include Flight Attendants in the future. Through AFA’s advocacy and working with influential committee members in both the Senate and the House, Flight Attendants are now one step closer to participating in an alternate screening process.