4.27.18 – (LAA/LUS) – APFA Cabin Safety Lobby Day – FAA Reauthorization Bill Passes the House/Legislation Regulating Emotional Support Animals/NH Class 18-10/Uniform Update

• APFA Cabin Safety Lobby Day – FAA Reauthorization Bill Passes the House
• APFA Supports Legislation Regulating Emotional Support Animals
• Welcome New Hire Class 18-10!
• Uniform Reaction Report Update

Cabin Safety Lobby Day – FAA Reauthorization Bill Passes the House

Forty APFA members from around the country flew to Washington D.C. this week to take part in APFA’s Cabin Safety Lobby Day. After an evening of Hill training, APFA members were joined by Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Ruben Gallego (AZ-7) who stressed the importance of lobby days and hearing directly from Flight Attendants. 

Flight Attendants descended on Capitol Hill ready to speak to Congress on several important cabin safety issues, including:

• Safe evacuations through the SEAT Act (H.R. 1467 & S. 596)
• Clean air through the Cabin Air Quality Act (S. 1626)
• Regulation of Cabin Temperature
• Establishing Standards for Emotional Support Animals (S. 2738)
• Supporting the FAA Reauthorization Bill (H.R. 4)

Using the aviation subcommittee room as our headquarters for the day, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (OR-4) kicked off the morning with remarks on the House FAA Reauthorization Bill which was being debated on the floor this week and passed today in the House by a 393-13 vote!

He touched on several of the safety issues that we later discussed with over 60 House and Senate offices that were very receptive to our message.

A huge thank you and congratulations to all the APFA members for making this commitment, braving the standby list, and volunteering on their days off. You worked hard and should be extremely proud of yourselves.

Allie Malis
Interim APFA National Government Affairs Representative
[email protected]

APFA Supports Legislation Regulating Emotional Support Animals

We have all witnessed the increase of “emotional support” animals on our flights. It seems that anything goes; from dogs and cats, to pigs, birds, monkeys, ponies, and even peacocks! In some cases, Flight Attendants and passengers are being bitten and made to feel uncomfortable, not to mention the safety risk some animals could pose in the event of an emergency.

The reality is that very few animals identified as “emotional support” or “comfort animals” have received any special training, and the certificates that often accompany them are not always genuine.

APFA has been advocating for action over the past year. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced legislation this week that would align the definition of “service animal” with the already accepted definition found in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Most importantly, the legislation enacts penalties for misrepresenting the status of the animal.

APFA Endorsement Letter of Sen. Richard Burr’s Bill to Strengthen Airline Service Animal Procedures – 4.24.18

Welcome New Hire Class 18-10!

Uniform Reaction Report Update