A flight attendant with South American airline LATAM was working her first flight, and getting hazed by fellow crewmembers. For passengers, it was more than a little flair – turning trash collection into an elegance extravaganza for her rite of passage.
Picture this: a cabin aisle turning into a runway, where the simple act of collecting trash was performed with an extra touch of grace and humor. This approach not only delighted passengers but also brought a sense of fun and unity to the crew.
First flight hazing is a time-honored tradition among cabin crew members at some airlines. It marks the transition from training to real-world flying, a significant milestone in any flight attendant’s career. This ritual is more than just a mere initiation; it’s a celebration of growth, camaraderie, and the entry into a global family of the skies. And dominance. It serves to remind the crewmember of their place in seniority rankings.
In an industry often highlighted for its challenges and complexities, moments like these remind us that the plane is a workplace like any other, just in the sky.
I’ve seen flight attendants dress up passengers, for instance on Delta making a crown out of Biscoff cookies and on Southwest making them out of other snacks. And I’ve seen flight attendants dress up in festive costume on top of their uniform for the holidays. I’ve also seen costumes on the galley cart to promote credit card signups.
But I’ve never seen anything quite like this hazing ritual on any flight I’ve been on.
FAs are underappreciated and underpaid . ( By both management and passengers .)
I’m curious, what methodology do you employ to determine they’re underpaid? And what is the amount they should be receiving as compensation?
Answering James N. My methodology to determine they are underpaid is merely my knowing many of them . They tell me that their shift work and lack of healthy rest and diet , together with unhealthy personal conversations with demanding, boorish passengers , results in unhealthy stress. Their service is used as an advertising attraction for management to charge higher fares to the passengers , who resent and demean the FA employees they are likely to encounter . Also , management continues to attract ever more carry-on bags , from ever more paying passengers , which all cannot be accommodated smoothly , and the unfortunate FAs are left to discipline them Management is ever focused on more passengers and profits . FAs deserve more pay and respect .
Much as I expected, you don’t have a methodology. Your response boils down to, “They simply deserve more money”. No consideration of economics, free choice or any other metric that would validate your argument.
I often wonder why people even bother.
Answering James N. “Common sense” usually trumps the many and various methodologies .
And yet there is no lack of people wanting to be an FA… so I guess the benefits far outweigh the negatives. And while we’re at it how about those poor pilots locked up in their small cockpit, oh the misery!
I don’t think you can pay an FA enough to do the job properly. It is definitely not for everyone. If an FA feels stressed by all the pressure, it’s a sign that the job is not a good fit. FAs are amazing human beings, I find them utterly fascinating. That combination of a quick mind, compassion, patience and sense of humor is rare in the world.
“Common sense” usually trumps the many and various methodologies .”
Translation: When you can’t validate your argument with facts and logic, resort to unmeasurable emotional appeals to “prove” your point.
Answer to James N. So , pray tell us your answer to your question : How much should an FA be paid , and what is your methodology ?
Sorry, Alert, try again! I didn’t make any unsubstantiated claims. The onus is on you to prove your premise, i.e. FAs are underpaid. Seriously, don’t expect me to argue against myself.
Answer to James N. The FAs have voted 100% that I am the winner of this debate . They know I made a correct argument for them being underpaid . My Oxford Union opponent would have submitted a reasoned rebuttal . I await your rebuttal to my argument
I am certainly not paid enough to endure the AI graphics appearing on this site now. Gary, is there a pay-to-play option where AI is banned from the site? Maybe a monthly Patreon fee? Please stop the madness!!!
Thank you, Alert, I accept your surrender. Maybe, in the future, you’ll think twice before offering empty, fact free statements designed to “solve” a particular challenge.
Answer to James N. Thank you for your tongue-in-cheek reply , rather than a rebuttal . In F.E. Smith’s first debate at Oxford Union , he won because the opponent did not offer a rebuttal , to Smith’s rebuttal , of the opponent’s opening argument . Hopefully , like Smith , I can go on to become Lord Chancellor .
Lol at Alert. You never provided an argument.
Alert, your “Oxford Union” opponent would have known how to properly use periods, commas, colons and parentheses when preparing written evidentiary responses to prima facie arguments.
Pro tip from an old-school debater: there is no space before the period, the comma, the colon or the parenthesis.
Answer to WontonDisregard . Touche . Punctuation is procedural , not substantive . [My sole excuse is I am half-blind , and I do not see the punctuation unless I separate them .]
“…not substantive .”
Much like your original assertion. Still waiting for your proof sources that demonstrate your claim that FAs are underpaid.
I honestly do not understand how anyone cannot agree that FAs are underpaid
I fly average of 3 times a week in USA and have done the round trip across the Atlantic 80 times also dated a FA for 10 years so know how stressful it can be for them and how much terrible behavior they have to tolerate from some passengers and until they get some seniority it is really tough
FAs are not underpaid because people are still applying to be one at current wages. The feckless non-sense alert spouts notwithstanding.
Many jobs have to deal with boorish people and have to perform tasks that can difficult…that is why it is called work.
Roofers and convenience store clerks are the two most dangerous jobs in North America and most make minimum wage. Many argue they are underpaid yet people still want those jobs. Alert do us a favour and tell us what they all should get paid?
A long waiting list for a particular job does not indicate a fair wage for that job.
Why demand figures akin to a “Business Model” for FA’s in order to determine fair pay. ?
Consider the value of their role to the company.