United Airlines has rolled out a new training programme for its 20,000 flight attendants to combat in-flight sexual harassment and the use of hardcore pornography by passengers. The union that represents United’s flight attendants has previously complained of “rampant” sexual harassment within the airline industry, affecting both crew and passengers.
The situation had apparently become so bad that the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCSE) placed United on its so-called Dirty Dozen List of 2019 which aims to “name and shame the mainstream players in America that perpetuate sexual exploitation.”
United had found itself on the list for its ineffective sexual harassment training which the NCSE put down to “consistent failures in addressing sexually harassing actions, speech, or pornography-use.”
The NCSE was particularly troubled by the Chicago-headquartered airline’s apparent lack of preparation for dealing with passengers who watch hardcore porn on their personal devices around other passengers, including young children.
“From ignoring complaints to laughing at traumatized passengers to simply offering free dinners to victims of in-flight sexual harassment, it was clear that United Airlines had a significant problem that was going unaddressed,” an NCSE spokesperson said of United.
While United says it actually changed its training to help flight attendants deal with sexual harassment and assault in 2018, a new and improved programme, which also focuses on the airline’s zero-tolerance approach to in-flight pornography use was introduced in January 2020.
“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our top priority. Sexual harassment, inappropriate behavior, intimidation or predation have absolutely no place anywhere in our society — including, and especially, in our industry and on our aircraft,” a statement from United read.
“We recognize the need to continue the discussion among all of our work groups to further ensure that our policies reflect our values and safeguard those traveling with us,” the statement continued.
The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) has called on the entire aviation industry to step up to the challenge of combatting sexual harassment and recognise the impact it can have on flight safety.
Many flight attendants report having never received any training on how to deal with allegations of sexual assault and harassment and many airlines remain ill-prepared.
