Flight Attendants

Your reporting and editorials usually cause me to write letters of complaint, but your editorial concerning the heroism of the TWA flight attendants (“True Crew,” Aug. 1) made my heart soar.

It was strongly emphasized that the real job of flight attendants is safety. Flight attendants spend a lot of time training for the unthinkable, learning skills we hope we will never have to use. But when we are called on we all hope that we will be able to perform as well as the cabin crew of Flight 843. Those heroic people not only saved the lives of 292 passengers, they did it with only half of the six exits available. The others were blocked by fire.

On behalf of all flight attendants, I thank you for your recognition. And I would like to ask anyone who travels by air to remember that when a flight attendant asks you to store your bag properly, fasten your seat belt, stay seated during turbulence, or check your oversize luggage that we are not making arbitrary decisions or trying to inconvenience anyone. We are merely using our skills as safety professionals to ensure the safety of all of our passengers.

CHARLOTTE COSTELLO, Communication & Education Chairperson, Assn. of Flight Attendants Council 12, Los Angeles & Fountain Valley