flight attendants

Tag Archives for flight attendants.

American Airlines Tells Flight Attendants Their Jobs Will Be Miserable If They Stay

by Gary Leff on July 25, 2020

Jul 25 2020

Consumer demand for travel isn’t going to equal what it was before the Covid pandemic for awhile, so airlines will offer fewer flights and won’t need as many employees. In general airlines have to keep employees based on seniority, but were prefer more junior employees who are paid less. So they’re offering senior employees buy outs to voluntarily separate from their company.

With only 401 American Airlines flight attendants taking these ‘early outs’ so far, they’re trying to convince cabin crew that their work will be harder and less pleasant in the future.

After Furloughing 10 Years Of Hires, The Average American Airlines Flight Attendant Age Will Be 56

by Gary Leff on July 14, 2020

Jul 14 2020

On a straight seniority basis 8000 furloughs will include every flight attendant under 40 years old and some in the first half of their 40s. And it will include nearly every flight attendant hired in the last 10 years. Every one hired since US Airways management took over, though, can expect to be let go.

Hypocrisy: As American Airlines Fills All Their Middle Seats, Rows Are Still Blocked For Flight Attendants

by Gary Leff on June 28, 2020

Jun 28 2020

Either blocking seats on planes for social distancing is important, or it isn’t. American Airlines will no longer block seats for passengers (claiming it isn’t necessary) but will continue to block seats for flight attendants (for their protection).

Outside Union Is Sending Face Masks To American Airlines Flight Attendants

by Gary Leff on June 23, 2020

Jun 23 2020

The independent Association of Professional Flight Attendants represents cabin crew at American Airlines. They have been dysfunctional for years and to Sara Nelson, the supposed ‘most powerful flight attendant in America,’ they look like a juicy target for her Association of Flight Attendants which is affiliated with the Communications Workers of America and AFL-CIO.

Did The Head Of Lufthansa’s Flight Attendants Union Demand €1mm Bribe To Agree To Job Cuts?

by Gary Leff on June 22, 2020

Jun 22 2020

Germany’s Die Welt is reporting that the head of Lufthansa’s cabin crew union demanded “one million euros from Lufthansa” to agree to “job losses and reduced pay” for members as part of the airline’s restructuring and bailout.

The union, for its part, denies these claims as it fights to minimize the thousands of jobs that are expected to be lost at Lufthansa.

Should Flight Attendants Be Allowed To Wear Face Shields? American Airlines Says No.

by Gary Leff on May 21, 2020

May 21 2020

Flight attendants and even passengers are now expected to wear face masks when flying. But what about face shields? Some airlines are outfitting their cabin crew in full personal protective equipment. That provides a consistent look for the airline.

What about a flight attendant taking it upon themselves to wear a face shield, when that’s not something the airline allows? Is it alright during the pandemic, or something the airline should be able to ban?

American’s Flight Attendants Union Sticks It To Its Junior Members

by Gary Leff on April 7, 2020

Apr 07 2020

When current American Airlines management ran US Airways they were notorious for bad labor relations. They never managed to get a single pilot contract for America West and US Airways pilots, so never completed the merger. Instead they sat back and benefited from lower wages as the two pilots groups fought against each other.

Now American’s flight attendants may wind up fighting against each other, as two classes of employees within the union are treated very differently. This, as the flight attendants are ostensibly in new contract negotiations with the airline and as there’s a move afoot to dump the current Association of Professional Flight Attendants with the Association of Flight Attendants-Communications Workers Of America.

American Airlines Will No Longer Discipline Flight Attendants For Wearing Masks

by Gary Leff on March 22, 2020

Mar 22 2020

United and Delta are both allowing flight attendants to wear masks. Now American has reversed its policy. Flight attendants now have the option of wearing masks, and will not be disciplined for doing so.

American Airlines Asks Flight Attendants To Take Leave With No Pay

by Gary Leff on March 17, 2020

Mar 17 2020

American Airlines is telling flight attendants they have “great options” to choose from to voluntarily reduce the airline’s workforce: retirement and no pay but two years of benefits, or leave with no pay but benefits. Pilots are being offered about two-thirds of pay.

Unless there’s some sort of commitment not to furlough employees as part of taking the government bailout package airline CEOs and their lobbyists have been pushing for, I’d expect to see furloughs coming next.

So Much For Protection, Flight Attendants Forced To Pick Up Trash Without Gloves

by Gary Leff on March 8, 2020

Mar 08 2020

Here’s a note shared by an American flight attendant on Saturday who boarded her flight to find that there were no gloves yet she’s expected to pick up trash from customers. It seems to me that if a flight can’t meet its safety standards it shouldn’t operate until it can, D0 notwithstanding.

It’s not just flight attendants though. Did you know that American’s airport employees aren’t permitted to wear gloves with the carrier’s new uniform standards?