flight attendants

Tag Archives for flight attendants.

The Push Has Started To Extend Federal Mask Rules For Planes

by Gary Leff on February 21, 2022

Feb 21 2022

Sara Nelson, head of the AFA-CWA flight attendants union, is an influential labor leader with juice in the Democratic Party. While she was instrumental in securing bailouts for the airline industry, she doesn’t always get what she wants – Nelson was an advocate for a ban on leisure travel during the pandemic.

Nonetheless, Nelson’s AFA-CWA is pushing for an extension of the federal transportation mask mandate which currently runs through March 18. And she’s joined by the union representing cabin crew at American Airlines.

Flight Attendants ‘Forced To Work For Free’ During Boarding, And Over 100,000 People Demand Change

by Gary Leff on February 11, 2022

Feb 11 2022

There’s a big debate going on about whether flight attendants are fairly paid, based on the idea that they are generally paid only for the time flying and not for the time spent boarding an aircraft. A Change.org petition to change this has garnered over 100,000 signatures.

The petition rests on a fairly fundamental misunderstanding of how mostly-union contracts are bargained on behalf of flight attendants.

United Airlines Fired Key Members Of Its Flight Attendants Union

by Gary Leff on February 10, 2022

Feb 10 2022

United Airlines fired to key members of its flight attendants union this week. The union is blisteringly angry. The union sent out a message saying they’re outraged. The note, under Sara Nelson’s signature and that of the head of the United union executive council, gave absolutely no specifics on the matter – who was let go, what was alleged, or any defense.

Here’s the story as I understand it.

American Airlines Flight Attendants Union Offers Specific Proposals To Reduce Inflight Service

by Gary Leff on January 19, 2022

Jan 19 2022

They want single tray service in international business (and first) class and reduced beverage service in coach on all flights. And they say this is to keep flight attendants safe.

Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to award incentives to employees for getting exemption from vaccination requirements.

How American Airlines Is Cracking Down On Flight Attendants Who Sell Their Job Duties

by Gary Leff on January 14, 2022

Jan 14 2022

American Airlines flight attendants have been selling their seniority to more junior crewmembers for cash. They book trips that they do not intend to take – more desirable trips than what the junior cabin crew could secure on their own – and then they ‘trip trade’.

Flight attendants who do this at American Airlines – mostly legacy US Airways crew – are known informally as “The Cartel.” I shared the note that the flight attendants union sent out, highlighting the practice. American Airlines sent out a warning as well.

American Airlines Flight Attendants Are Selling Their Job Duties To Other Employees

by Gary Leff on January 13, 2022

Jan 13 2022

The American Airlines flight attendants union reported to members in an update to crew that the practice of “cartels” among their members continues. Flight attendants are selling their seniority, brokering trips to more junior crew. And they’re applauding those who rat out colleagues to management, even though it may get union members fired.

Here Are The Steps American Airlines Is Taking To Stop Unruly Passengers

by Gary Leff on December 13, 2021

Dec 13 2021

It seems as though airlines are getting better at this just as the craziest inflight incidents – though still appalling – are becoming a bit more rare, and the FAA is ramping up enforcement just as there’s a bit less to enforce.

Did United Airlines Bait-and-Switch Flight Attendants Into Taking Early Retirement?

by Gary Leff on December 5, 2021

Dec 05 2021

During the pandemic airlines were gifted billions in taxpayer dollars to keep all of their employees on staff, ready to work when travel returned. Only they didn’t do that. They convinced employees to retire early, and they paid employees to stay home rather than staying certified and work ready.

As they tried to get employees to take unpaid leaves and early retirements, the offers sometimes got better and better. One United Airlines employee, who took an ‘early out’ is suing because United made a better offer than the one they accepted, and they want that better offer too.

American Airlines Plans To Keep Reduced Onboard Staffing Levels, “Try To” Still Deliver Service

by Gary Leff on November 26, 2021

Nov 26 2021

During the pandemic American Airlines reduced the number of flight attendants working on Boeing 787, Boeing 777, and premium cross country Airbus A321T aircraft.

Now that travel demand has returned, the airline is keeping these lower staffing levels. And the airline is beginning to restore inflight service.

American Airlines Doesn’t Have Enough Crew To Provide Premium Service

by Gary Leff on November 17, 2021

Nov 17 2021

The U.S. federal government sets a minimum number of flight attendants on an aircraft for safety (generally, one per 50 passengers). But while many flight attendants announce that they are there “primarily for your safety” (don’t expect more than that!) they’re also the people in most direct contact with customers delivering an airline’s service.

So-called ‘full service’ airlines have historically staffed flights with more than the legal minimum. That started changing even before the pandemic, but accelerated when they weren’t providing much service at all.