Friday February 20, 2015 Airline Ambassadors, International (AAI) the only non-profit representing the overall airline industry conducted it’s 27th Child Trafficking Awareness Training for the Chicago O-Hare Airport Community as part of a new global training initiative to help the airline industry and the flying public spot and report the signs of human trafficking the #2 crime on Earth.

It is estimated by the Department of Justice that 17,000 – 25,000 children are trafficked each year through Chicago – O’Hare, the largest airport hub in the U.S.

Nancy Rivard, Founder of Airline Ambassadors conducted the training made up of AAI volunteers Alicia Kozakeiwicz, (survivor and AAI’s newest trainer), Michele Krick and Peggy Durfey, with opening statements by the US government, law enforcement and local NGO’s including founder of the SAFE Coalition – Dr. Kaylani Gopal, as well as local Task Force members, Darcy Jenkins of Heartland Alliance and Summar Ghias of Salvation Army – STOP IT.

“This was an amazing day for us and a powerful training reaching nearly 200 airport industry employees, as well as FBI, Chicago PD, and Homeland Security who also participated.”

She continues, “Through our partnership with our Alliance Partner Turbo Communications, Inc., we also introduced our new Airline Ambassadors Hero Force App that can turn iPhones (Droids soon) into a tool so that anyone can submit “selfie video tips” of suspected predatory activity.”

These video tips will be cleared through a new OnNow TV WEB Television Network and in turn forwarded directly to DHS with pertinent information such as flight numbers and seat numbers, and how many people traveling as well as other descriptions and information.

Chief Richard Edgeworth of the Chicago Department of Aviation stated, “Criminals learned how to use the internet and technology before law enforcement, and it’s no secret we’ve been playing catch-up. But now with this new Airline Ambassdors Hero Force WEB Channel iReporter App, we will use technology to fight back – and in a big way.”

He continues, “on the heels of this training we are moving forward with awareness and communication initiatives that will make all people that travel through O’Hare become aware of the signs, and how to spot them – and now with the App report tips using their iPhones.”

Nancy Rivard adds “We will be fighting this crime in the air. Airline flight attendants and pilots will use coordinated efforts by making video selfies with the App, reporting travel information such as seat assignments that authorities can use to track down the predators while at the same time save the trafficked children in the destination cities.”

AAI has upcoming trainings planned in Las Vegas in April to the Board of Directors of the Association of Flight Attendants, and in May at JFK in preparation for an in-flight message campaign on 5,800 flights American Airlines flights June and July making the flying public aware of the signs and to use the apps. Bobby Singerman, President of Turbo Communications, said, “We intend to deputize the flying public as well to join Airline Ambassadors Hero Force.“

Check out video about Airport Training’s with Chris Hansen HERE