“The number-one priority is being safety specialists,” said Dodie Thomas, who works for Altria Client Services and was chosen as vice chairwoman of the NBAA Flight Attendants Committee. Mary Ann Fash became chairwoman of the committee, taking over from Scott Arnold. “We’ve come a long way from Emily Post [etiquette lessons],” Thomas added. “If you’re just a cabin server, you’re not going to be able to save your own life.” Thomas was ecstatic about the high number of attendees at this year’s conference and also the 50 people who showed up for the first-timers get-together. “There are quite a few new to the business,” she said. “People have lost jobs, but it’s getting better. There are a lot of core people here. We love what we do, and we’re passionate about it.”