In October, an American Airlines crew created a makeshift barrier out of seat belts to keep passengers away. This received massive attention online and around the world because it resonated with passengers over how the airline will go out of its way to avoid providing service to customers.
Hey @AmericanAir. Do @FAANews, @FAASafetyBrief, @USDOT, and @Transport_gc allow your crews to block off access to rear exits DURING flight so your FA’s can sit and chat ? Seatbelt harnesses connected together. AA2804 DFW-YYZ, 29 Oct 2023. #safetyfail, #clueless, #infuriating pic.twitter.com/iGJ1KUVJaj
— Lori Soler (@lorikaycan) October 31, 2023
Right now American Airlines flight attendants are in confrontation mode over contract negotiations. They even threatened a Christmas strike but the National Mediation Board did not sign off.
Despite the broad attention that the crew of this flight generated, it has happened again on American Airlines on a flight that Ben Schlappig of One Mile at a Time was on this week.
Credit: One Mile at a Time
Schlappig is actually sympathetic to the cabin crew here, even though it may present poorly to customers because the galley – the flight attendant’s work area – is simply tiny in the American Airlines domestic configuration first rolled out with its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. He found the crew happy, but “clearly just wanted an absolute minimal amount of personal space.”
He blames American Airlines management who signed off on the aircraft configuration, meant to maximize the number of seats on the plane – at the expense of legroom, bathroom size, and even bulkheads between cabins.
we have people making many millions of dollars per year signing off on cabin configurations that cram in as many seats possible, with absolutely no regard for how these configurations impact the people who have to spend their entire working hours in them.
In fact, American Airlines Chief Operating Officer David Seymour admits that instead of building a cabin mockup to actually see what would how the product and cabin would work before greenlighting it across the flight, they saved money by “taping it out.”
When crew began complaining about the layout six years ago, then CEO Doug Parker laughed it off, telling them ‘at least we’re not attaching crew seats to lavatory doors’ like he suggested Delta was doing.
What did Delta do with these same lavs though, Delta had like the crew seat on the door or some ridiculous thing (cackles) that’s not a threat, I just.. I don’t know why I felt.. that’s really funny.. I don’t know why I felt compelled..
My only point in making this is gosh we want our product to be the best out there but we also need to understand we’re competing we gotta be really competitive.
In fact, Delta did not ever attach a crew seat to the lavatory door. However before they decided to add space back to the galley area two years ago the seat had to remain stowed in order to allow passenger access to the lavatories or for flight attendants to access galley carts.
I’m sympathetic to cabin crew who have to work in tight conditions. Even in business class on the British Airways Airbus A350 there’s no room to work and to allow customers to use the forward lavatories. That’s an industry trend, to take away from the work environment as part of squeezing in more seats.
However I also think that (1) you do the job, (2) you complain to management, and (3) you decide whether or not it’s a deal-breaker. You don’t jury rig the aircraft setup, creating a barrier with customers, to unilaterally decide how the flight will work and product will present.
On B6’ core configured A321neo it is in fact difficult to access one of the lavs when the jumpseat is down.
On every flight I’ve been on, the FAs came up with a solution that allowed them to have the seat down- they simply locked the bathroom for the entire flight. That’s right, 200 passengers were left with only 3 lavs to use.
“Welcome aboard. Now sit down and shut up – we’re having a union-meeting!”
Well if pax would comply with the announcement regarding not standing (congregating) in the galleys this wouldn’t be necessary. On a side note, current configurations of the 737 has earned it the nickname Satan’s Chariot. It may be efficient, but it’s a miserable aircraft for crew and passengers alike.
@Steve I can’t subscribe to a 737 being called Satan’s Chariot. That’s a CRJ 200, which has zero comfortable seats. None.
Premium passengers in all likelihood will avoid domestic AA flights.
Already avoiding domestic AA flights. We are buying F where ever we go, and if AA is best by schedule we will do that. But for instance tomorrow, we are on Southwest in “J” on the non stop because. NS! We currently lean UA when we can. YMMV
First off the 737 is satins plane. While I feel for the fight attendants having to work in that environment, there is a right and wrong way to deal with things. This flight crew dealt with the situation in the wrong manner. The FA’s need to take out their issues on management, not the passengers that they are being paid to serve and keep safe in an emergency. Hopefully those flight attendants got reprimanded.
It’s a passenger safety issue. In the event of a problem, these FAs reduced their ability be able to attend to it timely. These callous FAs should be terminated immediately, and I find it hard to understand why this should be debatable..
Fat grannies need space
I cannot see this other than a safety issue if the path to the rear exits is blocked. As far as tight spaces, they would be a problem that affects junior flight attendants more than senior flight attendants (senior flight attendants control their schedules) and senior flight attendants control the unions. Therefore the problem is negated in negotiations for something else, like slightly higher pay.
Chuckling. 50 yes ago on Pan Am, we made the exact same comments. The person who redesigned the service flow on the 747 had never been on an airplane or spoken with a flight attendant. Some things never change.
You know they do this when the pilot or copilot has to use the restroom or they have to step in to serve a meal to the cabin crew, right?
@Babblespeak, I agree. Termination along with every member of management that saw the design, signed off on the design and every engineer that worked on the design since the week before it rolled out.
@Johhny, I think people like you have to say stupid things to make yourself feel better. You need to get out more and enjoy life. Don’t be so hateful. Have a great day!
Why is this an issue? It’s not as if anyone is going to use the rear exits while airborne. Those who feel it’s a safety issue are absolutely brainless! Those doors are not useful unless you are on the ground. Dont be stupid.
And yes, Airlines are now slapping jumpseats to lavatory doors which, by the way, are removable doors. So WHERE is the safety for flight attendants?
Now let’s talk privacy. On a 6 1/2 nonstop flight or a 13 hour work day (which is typically a flight attendants work day) don’t they deserve a few minutes without someone coming to their galley for a 4th refill of Diet Coke? They deserve a few minutes of alone time.
Let’s talk about how they are not paid from the time they check in until the minute the aircraft pushes back? Over an hour and a half of no pay while they help passengers find their seats, close the heavy overheads and have to hear snide remarks about how this passenger is not happy sitting next to the passenger “of side” and how this passenger isn’t comfortable in the middle seat. Sit down, shut up and let’s get the door closed so they get paid!
So unless AA and other airlines start allowing a break room onboard then passengers need to shut up about this barrier. Oh and now the airlines have SNACK bars onboard rather than a lav in that spot. Oh yes. They decided 2 lavs in the galley with a jumpseat attached to the lav door is going to make everyone happy.
Someone needs to be fired. Mainly these CEOs at AA and United who are treating their front line people like absolute dirt!
Keep the Barrier up. You deserve your quiet time. Do all of you close your office doors when you need time alone? Well there you go. So should flight attendants.
I wonder if GAAry ever gets tired of only writing pieces bashing AA. Same ol’ mediocre moaning.
By the way, why would you need access to the emergency exits in flight? Oh yeah, you don’t. Need the FA? If only there were a way to get them to come directly to you… like a button or something……
On the 737 the aft lavs are forward of the aft galley, not in the galley, therefore, the strap is only blocking passengers from accessing the aft galley and the aft 2 doors.
In flight, no passenger should have access to the aft 2 doors, at all or for any reason. Period. Also, inflight, passengers tend to congregate in the aft galley while waiting to use the lav or to just stand. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for flight attendants to move carts, set up for services, or to even sit in their jumpseat. If the strap was up only during flight then it was not a safety issue it was just the flight attendants attempting to create a little space for themselves in a less than 10 square foot area.
I have yet to see any aircraft designed fully for both passenger and flight attendant ease or comfort.
As an ex-FA now pilot of 15 years, I note that there are no curtains in the galley either, no doubt for cost saving reasons.
Do you have any idea how fun it is when you sit down, after a service, to eat a sandwich and someone walks straight into your private space and hands you a dirty nappy? Or abandons a bag of sick on the counter? Next time you are having your lunch, imagine if someone threw up their dinner 1ft away from you. You might be in your office, Starbucks, whatever. But that close. Would you be happy? Would you seek to create some privacy for yourself with a barrier? I don’t blame them at all.
This attitude is like complaining that someone had the audacity to close the door when they took a dump.
Nothing to see here. There are no exits in the galley. Pax have no business there. And if you have “concerns” remember these people are well prepared, so they can certainly handle a stupid belt in an emergency more easily than passengers trying to exit with their belongings. Dont be an entitled brat.
Making a barrier that does not impede any emergency access, does not harm anyone. If you ring a call button, it will be answered. It is ludicrous and totally selfish to come into a galley, ( which is a work area for the crew) and expect that it is acceptable behaviour to plant yourself in that space, without regards for others. You would not want someone to step behind your desk, nor open your closed office door. RESPECT, is the issue. No one can even open a door at 35,000 ft. nor would it be used as a means of escape. Please think before younsay stupid things.
I see this so differently. Flight attendant is not a career as we have made it out to be. They don’t get paid or treated well, and it is in many ways demanding. The perk is that you get to travel the world and work with and meet interesting people. I always wanted to have that job when I was younger, but could never get it. Now as I am older it seems miserable. I don’t like people all that much. I hate airports and small spaces and I have traveled the world. Life changes. Priorities and abilities change. I think we need to rethink this job not as a career path. Everyone reinvents themselves. This seems like a job with little upward mobility and in my mind not a career. In my 40’s I could not see myself working for these type of managers and CEO’s . I would find something with upward mobility. If you look at breeze airways he has done just this. Hired a bunch of students and young people with this mentality. Once it no longer fits their narrative they move on.
You do seem to “rag” on AA a lot. It makes me wonder if you, perhaps, applied with them for a job…I don’t know, maybe a few times and was denied the opportunity? Perhaps, again, you wanted to make them seem as small as they made you seem? That is just a guess, though. It may be a wise move to push pass this bashing of AA and not see them as an enemy, but, a provider of a service.
The former flight attendant, and I’ve said, for decades, that flight attendants are the ones that need to design the aircraft. The seating, galley, lavatories… All of it, because they’re the ones that have to work in those conditions every single day.
PERIOD! Not some engineer that’s never even been on a plane
There are worse domestic planes like the ones with the crew jumpseat sitting on the toilet door and both toilets are in the galley. Most ridiculous thing I’ve seen. At least AA hasn’t followed that trend. Domestic is what is, domestic. You can expect to pay $50 for a ticket and get first class service. Grow up.
The 737-MAX aircraft is a tight squeeze because airlines chose the number of seats that they can get into an airplane, the size of restrooms etc… Really.
@Holliann, sitting in my 5 star hotel laughing at your comment. Girl, maybe not for you but the rest of us that have flown for years have enjoyed it with many perks. If you’d rather work 5 days a week then that’s OK. You do you. Me, well I’ve had upward mobility all the way up to 40,000 feet which beats any office, any day. It’s been a great career and as I near retirement, I look back and say what a great choice I made and how fortunate I’ve been to get to do this. Have a Great weekend!
TO THE IDIOT WHO SAID THE FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
ARE “BLOCKING ACCESS TO EMERGENCY EXITS”
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO GO AT 35,000 FEET?
STUPIDITY!
FAS DONT WANT TO LOOK AT YOUR OVERWEIGHT CRACK ASSES AND EVERYTHING ELSE!
NO NEED FOR PASSENGERS STANDING IN THE GALLEY!
IF I WERE AN AA FLIGHT ATTENDANT, I’D GIVE GARY THE TREATMENT HE DESERVES!
WINK,WINK!
LOL
GOOD! There’s nothing more unnerving than having to listen to the mindless chatter among flight attendants.
I often wonder what happened to the “90 second evacuation” rule..
That’s the expected time to safely evacuate a plane in the event of crash..
Boarding pax in a close, crowded, single aisle plane in timely manner has become a major issue.
So it’s difficult to imagine unbuckling seat belt, getting into aisle, avoiding major obstacles and moving to an exit….and forget the brace position… majority of pax could never “grab ankles, keep head down” during impact…..there would be no protection for neck..
Try it next time you are on plane where safely is “our primary concern” airline.
Crashes are survival, more than 180 pax were evacuated from a DC -10 in 1989…flight 232 broke into pieces, then flames engulfed the aircraft..
Where are you FAA? When there is a major crash and numerous fatalities.. FAA might be forced to do their job…
I’m a retired F/A that loved my 25 year plus career with one of the majors…like most jobs (pardon the pun)
lots of ups and downs…
All aircraft have have positive and negative aspects, some made worse by poor management decisions.
Being a flight attendant is neither glamorous or easy. As with many things, it comes with perks and disadvantages. Flight attendants have myriad responsibilities onboard, many that usually go unnoticed. On an aircraft, flight attendants are on duty, they are trained to be first responders in the event of inflight emergencies. In some cases, seconds could mean the difference between life, death, and other negative outcomes. Their inability to respond quickly because they’ve blocked access and egress is unacceptable.
If you don’t the like the job and the responsibilities that come with it, get another that rests better with you.
Actually, it’s spreading to other OneWorld carriers! Was on an Alaska flight from IAD to SFO on in late Nov and they created the exact same seat belt barrier as the original AA crew in the rear of the cabin mid way through the flight. Unfortunately I couldn’t snag a picture because a passenger was trying to mollify is crying toddler by walking up and down the aisle, and I didn’t want to go right up to the barrier and snap a picture and be “that guy,” but it was definitely there for a gold hour. To be fair to the AS flight attendants, they provided very good service and even weere friendly when I handed them some trash over the barrier and asked for a water, which they provided graciously, but yeah, the barrier was definitely in place!
AA flight attendants get a lot of “alone” time as it is……unless they’re recording videos of minors in the lav.
To the FAs: the airplane is your workplace and your job is to respond to customers needs. If you can’t hack it, quit.
It is NOT a matter of responding…..call bells are used when you need immediate assistance. It is a matter of RESPECTING one’s work environment and not utilizing the galley as a streching location. You would not allow someone to use your office space, or cubicle with disregard to your own space. Emergency doors are never used in flight. You verbally can communicate your desire for a drink or snack without having to enter a galley. Would you ever open a door to a kitchen area in a restaurant? Why are you entitled to disregard the privacy of others?
@Heidi
They why won’t the FAA permit installation of doors separating the galley from the dirty passengers?
Just flew AA to and from Jamaica and on three out of the four flights the attendants were miserable. I’m okay with them not making conversation but they are so put out by their jobs and the passengers that make their jobs necessary. They just cannot be polite and professional and are rude and abrupt. Will only fly them when they have the best schedules.
@Cara – They do it with a service cart which is a stronger barrier, and put it away when done. They don’t put up the equivalent of duct tape across the door.
@Lisa – As someone whose airport and destinations have him stuck with AA a lot of the time, there is a reason to rag on them, I promise. Altho no legacy US carrier stands out in service, AA is open about their lack of care for it—declaring instead that their ‘schedule’ is their product. When you’re dealing with their discontented staff, janky cabins (with no entertainment), or whimsical cancellations—you can tell.
I would love to see what you all would have to say if I came to your office and did the things flight attendants are subjected to on pretty much every flight while you tell your boss and the public that “you don’t like it”. are subjected to on pretty much every flight. And don’t say “well get another job if you don’t like it” because having your butt in my face or handing me trash while I’m eating lunch on the only break I may have that day is NOT a not part of a FA’s job description.
The entire crew should be terminated for risking passenger safety.
@Jeree
But why won’t you quit and get another job since its that horrible?
Passenger safety? There are doors back there that do not open in flight. Plus you have no parachute to jump out of a plane! If we are talking safety, don’t you think wearing noise cancelling headsets during take off and landing, (the most critical stages of a flight) is a lot more dangerous? Guess what? You will lose time by not hearing which exits are usable in an evacuation! Not making sure your computer is not going to be thrown from your grip on impact, or your water bottle roll down the aisle and be something you can trip on in an emergency is truly unsafe. Yet, no one wants to think about this because the priorities are wrongly placed.
So flight attendants can remove a plastic wrap fort that a passenger built around their seat because it would be an obstruction in case of an emergency, but flight attendants can seal off their workspace that can potentially obstruct the lavatory and the path to the rear emergency exits for passengers (maybe so they can be the first to escape and let passengers fend for themselves). Fascinating…
When and where and what bizarre world do you people live in??? Go to any restaurant walk behind their counter and I guarantee you the wait staff will tell you to get back and stay on your side of the counter! Go to a movie theater go back where on their side of the counter they will tell you the same thing! Go anywhere in the world where people are working and they are serving you whether it be a cash register.. doctor’s office with the receptionist and walk behind their goddamn desk and they will tell you to get back on the other side where you belong….. YOU DO NOT BELONG IN THE GALLEY OF ANY AIRCRAFT UNLESS THE TITLE ON YOUR BADGE SAYS FLIGHT ATTENDANT OR PILOT…. So anyone who wants to talk or try to clap back let me know where you work so I can show up at your job…. And go behind your desk…. Go behind your counter…. That is their work area it is not your area you rented a seat! This is not your private jet you do not own it you rent it a seat…… STAY IN YOUR LANE! Your access on that aircraft is limited to your seat to the laboratory to the aisle that takes you to the laboratory and that is it! Do not go into the galley to stretch no one was to see you in downward dog! This is not your private yoga studio! DO NOT GO INTO THE GALLEY…. IT IS NOT AN ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET! IF YOU WANT SOMETHING…”PUSH YOUR CALL BUTTON” … And I don’t want to hear well I’m getting bad service I’ve gotten bad service and restaurants…. But I don’t go walking to the damn kitchen! I don’t go behind their counter! I have to speak to a manager… I send an email. . And this is no different if you think you’re getting bad service send an email to the airline! File a complaint! But that does not give you permission to go somewhere you are not allowed to be. PERIOD! Now if your issue is it flight attendant aren’t giving you the service that you think you’re entitled to … WELL… Find the cheapest restaurant you can find… Then don’t tip… Then go back two days later and make sure you have the same waitress…. And see how good your service is…. OH I GUARANTEE IT’S GOING TO BE SHIT! well this is exactly what you’ve done to flight attendants…. You complain that air travels too expensive… So the airlines have cut their pay over and over and over again…. And then you expect them to be cheery and happy to diaper and powder your behind…. And then you get comments like well if you don’t like your job find a new one….. Most Americans do not have that luxury most Americans live paycheck to paycheck…. Americans are two paychecks away from being homeless…. These people need their jobs…. These people need their health benefits…. Why in the hell do you think they’re getting ready to go on strike because they barely make enough to pay their damn bills as it is…. So to that individual I say
These days, I fly only when absolutely necessary. Cabins have become inhumane. I used to luv flying several times per month. Not anymore.
Please direct your anger at management, where it belongs , not the flight attendants.
Flight attendants are your friends, not your enemies, and they could be the ones that save your life during emergencies …as proven !.
There are only a certain amount of oxygen masks in the galley area, and in case of a decompression there will only be enough oxygen masks for those flight attendants working in that area.
Airlines have cut galley’s in half , and made working conditions unbearable for flight attendants. Passengers think they can come into the galley and do exercises and stick their asses in flight attendants faces , while they are trying to eat , and accomplish their working tasks. Your favorite airline in the USA likes to stick seats in front of emergency exits , and has cut galley space in half , and encourages passengers to encroach our galley areas … they have made the lavatories the size of a broom closet , with total disregard for those with disabilities , and they have sent their top dog to work at the FAA , and pay off to get their way.
Some of the comments on this page are deplorable, And are the reasons flight attendants do not enjoy management , or the flying public anymore.
Totally agree! Most derogatory comments that have been expressed by people here , are totally void of any knowledge about REAL SAFETY ISSUES! The barrier is unclipped in a nanosecond. It is made out of a seatbelt that opens instantaneously if necessary. Unfortunately, the majority of the traveling public is very ignorant about the true hazards. Overheating batteries catching fire, anyone?
This strap provides no more of a safety hazard than galley curtains provided pre 9-11.
Galley curtains were in place to keep the galley lights out of passenger eyes on night flights, and afford the flight attendants a bit of privacy.
Non US international carriers still use these curtains and no one complains about them.
The primary problem lies with the carrier and their chosen configuration of said aircraft, wishing to squeeze as many seats in as possible at the expense of passenger and flight attendant comfort. The removal of just one row in the rear of the aircraft would provide space for passengers waiting in line for the lavatory.
To all the internet safety experts commenting: you are the ones who ignore the seat belt signs, keep your devices plugged in when told not to, put your tray table back down after the attendants go sit down, wear noise canceling headphones during the SAFTEY briefing, and generally disregard crew member instructions in direct violation of FAR 121.317.
If you follow the letter of the law 100% of the time, then this does not apply to you obviously.
Redirect your anger and frustration where it might actually do some good, at the carrier.
The 737 sucks. It’s as simple as that. Boeing decided to make a leopard into a tiger and it will never work. The 757 is the best single aisle plane they ever made and they should made that into the Max. Failed leadership.
Clearly “concerned citizen” is as frustrated as I was, when I worked as a FA and I’m in agreement with everything they are expressing here. I retired 2 years ago, when I simply couldn’t stand the job anymore after 43 years of dealing with an entity known as “airline passenger”, who are very unforgiving, despite the fact that they themselves would never have the right stuff for the very job they criticize. I applaud the FAs for their ingenuity in attempting to keep a tiny part of their restrictive, user unfriendly, cramped, hideous work environment to themselves, even.if it is to only grab some lunch. They don’t have the luxury of leaving the office and going to a restaurant or takeout place. Rather, they sit on a straight back foldout, hard little seat, inches away from (if not attached to) the lavatory door. Their treatment by management (sitting in their ivory towers) and passengers is unconscionable and deplorable. I defy anyone who may complain about this insignificant “infraction”, having nothing better to do, to put in a 14 hour day in the same environment, and see how they make out. Trust me, you would instantly commiserate and get it (and probably hate it). Stop recording, read a book, snooze or generally butt out of business which doesn’t concern you, because THIS DOESN’T!! It has nothing to do with your safety and everything to do with your glee in finding fault with anything airline related. I am sick of it
P.S. When FAs do get a moment to eat, they’re faced with passengers stealing their lunch. It does happen. A friend/colleague brought her lunch to a flight, left momentarily, and coming back discovered a passenger eating it. Another took her meal out of the oven on a Hong Kong flight, placed it on the galley counter, turned her back, and a guy was picking at the potatoes with his fingers. She said to him, “I just fed you, now you want my lunch too?” On another flight, I tucked my water bottle into the seat pocket nearest my jumpseat and each time I came by, would take a sip. On one of those trips, the guy across the aisle said he had grabbed it and filled his water bottle, hoping it wasn’t a problem. I stared at him, incredulous. I gave him the rest of MY water bottle, went to get a fresh one and hid it out of his view. Would he take the bottle from the person on the treadmill next to his, at the gym? I think not. Passengers will take anything not bolted down, thinking their ticket entitles them to steal. It truly boggles the mind
@Ligita
1. You’re lying
2. We’re glad you’re gone