United Airlines last week advised staff not to use duct tape to restrain rowdy passengers, a move that comes after many airlines recently made headlines after images of their flight crews were uploaded.
"Remember that there are designated materials on board that can be used in difficult situations, and alternative means like tapes should never be used," said John Slater, senior vice president of services in flight at United Airlines, in a rating obtained by USA TODAY. .
Employees were encouraged to defuse "difficult situations in silence," which included "discussing the matter with the captain, the customer service representative and the ground safety coordinator," according to Slater.
A United Airlines spokesperson told USA TODAY that the policy is not new, but rather a reiteration of current safety principles.
However, a major union representing flight attendants reacted angrily to the note. The warning is an "unhealthy marketing trick from the airline that took the duct tape off the cabin in 2014," according to Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Nelson demanded an apology from United Airlines, tweeting: "Frontline 'vital' workers deserve support and respect."
Nelson's message was greeted with silence from United Airlines.
Traveling: According to the FAA, one passenger called bogus threats of hijacking, while another attacked a woman cradling a baby.
Southwest Airlines: A passenger has been charged with criminal assault after apparently hitting a flight attendant.
The email comes as airlines report a slight increase in passenger issues. So far this year, the Federal Aviation Administration has received 3,889 disruptive incidents, including 2,867 reports of passengers refusing to wear masks during the coronavirus outbreak.
On an American Airlines plane in July, a lady was taped to her seat after allegedly trying to open the plane's door and assaulting a flight attendant. Earlier this month, flight attendants on a Frontier Airlines flight used duct tape to restrain a passenger who allegedly attacked and assaulted crew members.
AFA has been contacted by USA TODAY for more information.
"Remember that there are designated materials on board that can be used in difficult situations, and alternative means like tapes should never be used," said John Slater, senior vice president of services in flight at United Airlines, in a rating obtained by USA TODAY. .
Employees were encouraged to defuse "difficult situations in silence," which included "discussing the matter with the captain, the customer service representative and the ground safety coordinator," according to Slater.
A United Airlines spokesperson told USA TODAY that the policy is not new, but rather a reiteration of current safety principles.
However, a major union representing flight attendants reacted angrily to the note. The warning is an "unhealthy marketing trick from the airline that took the duct tape off the cabin in 2014," according to Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
Nelson demanded an apology from United Airlines, tweeting: "Frontline 'vital' workers deserve support and respect."
Nelson's message was greeted with silence from United Airlines.
Traveling: According to the FAA, one passenger called bogus threats of hijacking, while another attacked a woman cradling a baby.
Southwest Airlines: A passenger has been charged with criminal assault after apparently hitting a flight attendant.
The email comes as airlines report a slight increase in passenger issues. So far this year, the Federal Aviation Administration has received 3,889 disruptive incidents, including 2,867 reports of passengers refusing to wear masks during the coronavirus outbreak.
On an American Airlines plane in July, a lady was taped to her seat after allegedly trying to open the plane's door and assaulting a flight attendant. Earlier this month, flight attendants on a Frontier Airlines flight used duct tape to restrain a passenger who allegedly attacked and assaulted crew members.
AFA has been contacted by USA TODAY for more information.
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