ATLANTA - A national flight attendants union wants the Federal Aviation Administration to require U.S. airlines to develop and implement passenger-screening standards because of the swine flu scare.

The request, if granted, could be costly to an industry already reeling from a drop-off in demand due to the weak economy, though a union spokeswoman said later the proposal regarding screening is only meant to apply if recommended by appropriate health officials.

The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA also asked the FAA in a letter Monday to order airlines to provide flight attendants with non-latex gloves and masks and to allow flight attendants with flu-like symptoms to call in sick but not have the absence counted against their allotted sick leave.

The letter added that protecting flight attendants "will reduce the risk of disease transmission for all aircraft occupants."