Flight Attendants on Deportation Planes Say Disaster Is "Only a Matter of Time"
a year ago
- #immigration
- #aviation
- #human_rights
- Flight attendants for Global Crossing Airlines were initially told they would serve VIP clients like rock bands and sports teams, but the airline expanded into federal deportation flights, a role many were unprepared for.
- Flight attendants reported being instructed not to interact with detainees, avoid eye contact, and follow strict rules that limited their ability to provide humane treatment or ensure safety during flights.
- Safety concerns were significant, with flight attendants unsure how to evacuate detainees who were shackled at the wrists and ankles, conflicting with FAA evacuation standards.
- Detainees on deportation flights were often restrained with handcuffs, waist chains, and leg irons, and in some cases, additional restraints like the Wrap, a device resembling a straight jacket, were used.
- Flight attendants described a lack of clear protocols for emergencies, with some pilots advising them to prioritize their own safety and that of guards over the detainees during evacuations.
- Incidents on deportation flights included medical emergencies, mechanical failures, and altercations, with some evacuations taking significantly longer than the FAA's 90-second standard.
- Many flight attendants left GlobalX due to moral distress over the treatment of detainees and the airline's shift toward deportation flights, which contradicted their initial expectations of glamorous charters.