This is your purser speaking. . .

Cockpit to Cabin (and visa versa) communication post 9/11.

Excerpt:

The events of September 11th, 2001, have magnified the importance of flight attendants protecting safety of passengers and crew, as well as, providing critical information to the pilots. The events of September 11 changed forever our concepts of aviation safety. The use of a hijacked aircraft as a weapon requires a new strategy to ensure that the crew always retains control of the aircraft. Flight Attendants have an immediate need for updated security training. This training should include basic defense maneuvers to allow them to defend themselves and slow down any terrorist attack. Crew communication and coordination should be integrated in this training. Currently, there is no comprehensive training that explains what the flight attendants, pilots and air marshals do in case of an attack. These groups should be trained to work together as a team, to be as effective as possible. This information was made evident in the testimony of Patricia Friend, International Presidents, Association of Flight Attendants, CWA, AFL-CIO, before the subcommittee on transportation security and infrastructure protection of the homeland security committee, U.S. House of representatives, November 1, 2007.