Greetings!
IAM Transportation Department General Vice President Sito Pantoja issued the following statement regarding the need for increased airline and railroad security in the coming weeks:
“As a result of the assault on the Capitol Building and subsequent violent behavior by unruly airline travelers, the IAM demands that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and all airlines and rail carriers adjust and reinforce their security policies to further ensure the safety of all airline and rail workers and passengers.
While there have been some security improvements at airports and rail stations, more needs to be done. We have already witnessed dangerous behavior on aircraft from unruly passengers and with reports circulating of upcoming “protests” nationwide in the days leading up to the inauguration, the threat of violence to airline and rail workers and passengers will be increased.
Airline and rail workers have already risked their health by working tirelessly through the COVID pandemic, transporting travelers and goods across the globe. This country must do a better job protecting the people who work and use the transportation industry than they have done protecting those in the U.S. Congress.”