Reader Jeff passes along an older piece suggesting reasons ‘we’ ruined airline jobs. The argument is that the law disfavors unions, and consumers demand low prices.
Deregulation has meant more people have access to the skies thanks to lower prices (the government used to mandate high prices most people couldn’t afford). Flying has become more small-d democratic. Without government protection for airlines wages haven’t grown.
The piece suggests airline jobs are no longer as glamorous. Being a pilot was once glamorous, I wonder if the relative status of pilots has fared better than flight attendants? Some of the same effects have influenced the way we regard pilots today versus 40 years ago, although there are additional factors that have made serving as a flight attendant fall in status even more than flying up front.
The Pan Am and to a lesser extent TWA flight attendant was culturally iconic. You can’t say the same about today’s American, United, Delta — or Spirit – crewmember. There are six things going on, though I’d love to hear thoughts in the relative role that each plays or if I’m missing any factors?
- Air travel isn’t new anymore. Not only that, it really hasn’t fundamentally changed that much. Perhaps the Concorde was glamorous, but that’s not even flying anymore and travel is therefore slower than it was between 1976 and 2003.
- Air travel isn’t just for the rich. It was glamorous when it was expensive and limited, something people could only aspire to or only do on very rare special occasions.
- Government no longer protects airline profits. The ‘regulated era’ wasn’t about protecting consumers, it was about ensuring airline profits. The government view was that airlines needed to be profitable to be safe, so they prevented competition and artificially kept prices up. As long as airlines flew they made money. The ‘cost-plus’ mentality, where airlines were permitted to raise fares (after a ‘rate case’) meant that higher labor costs just got passed on to consumers, so union jobs paid well.
- Planes are full. The number one thing that determines customer happiness with a flight versus frustration is having an empty seat next to them. Crew seem nicer, food tastes better. Full flights mean less happy passengers. There’s nothing glamorous about being squeezed in next to a seatmate spilling over into your seat and clipping their toenails while you try to eat your buy on board sandwich.
- Airlines aren’t growing, and unions lock people into jobs. People are paid by seniority, the longer they stay around the more they make, so it’s rare to leave the job. Meanwhile with U.S. airlines expanding only a few percent a year they just need to do a little more than replace retiring crew. The average age of a crewmember is much higher than it used to be. It’ll be controversial to say, but most people don’t consider older flight attendants to be as glamorous as younger ones.
- More careers are available to women. The glamour era of flying was an era where social norms kept women out of many other careers. Flight attendant was a ‘way out’ and what was more liberating than soaring in the sky enroute to exotic destinations? Now women are business travelers too with many more options. A lack of options for women also meant airlines were ‘punching about their weight’ recruiting candidates for the job who now may do something else. There’s more competition for talent that would once have joined an airline.
Does this account for why the flight attendant role is less glamorous than it once was?
I think you’re missing a major component: pedigree required to qualify as cabin crew. In the US it doesn’t take much to be a flight attendant. If you look to places like Japan and South Korea, the competition is cutthroat and only the top <1% make it. And there it is still extremely prestigious to be a flight attendant.
Back in the 60s, United and American didn’t hire my mom to be a stewardess because she wasn’t a blond. Delta did hire her even though she was a brunette since she was young and pretty. The glamour days was when all the flight attendants looked like models.
Glamorous to whom? To the passengers or to the flight attendants?
If the first, I have to say that it’s pretty ridiculous to expect the person whose primary job is to keep you safe and help you while on board (food, drink, luggage etc) be sexy.
If the second, I believe there are still strong incentives for working as a flight attendant. During long flights I sometimes talk to some of the flight attendants and I have to say that being able to work just a few days a month, with full pay and benefits, is actually pretty darn glamorous compared to many other jobs. Not to mention that you do get to see the world, can sometimes take the family to travel with you etc.
Another reason flight attendants are, on average, older, is that some airlines had a rule that a woman couldn’t continue to work after marriage. The airline I worked for would give the new couple a RT ticket as a wedding present. And then, it was “So long.”
CJ,
The gender pay gap in South Korea and Japan are among the highest in the developed world. South Korea and Japan have old school gender norms and weak discrimination laws. In practice, there are severely less career options available to women. Women are not commonly found in leadership. If they are, they’re often connected to the family with controlling ownership. Advancement is often driven by loyalty as well as fraternizing with male colleagues after hours with female sex workers present (e.g., karaoke bars). This is hardly a favorable environment for women.
Additionally, there is quite a bit of age discrimination. For countries with severe population aging, they sure like to push out their older workers. In a hierarchal society, it’s a totally different power dynamic when a supervisor is managing a young inexperienced employee without kids vs an experienced employee with children or grand children.
Yes, the standards for JL, OZ, KE, NH are high, but they don’t exist in a vacuum. As Gary put it, there is less competition for talent.
I think there’s also a cultural change in most (though certainly not all) of the world, where everything just became more casual over the years. A lot of people associate glamour with well-dressed (crew but also passengers). With the advent of mass market flying, cramped conditions (better to be squeezed in the middle seat in a tshirt than a suit), and general casual attitude (there was a little backlash for example when Lufthansa started addressing people in coach with “du” rather than the more formal “sie”), the degree of glamour went down as well.
Wherever those factors are not yet into play (so much), you still see the glamour association (Japan, Middle East, for example).
This won’t be a popular opinion, but they need to move the older crew out of the planes. Put them at desk jobs, have them train the younger attendants. American carriers are turning into retirement homes for older people who want cheap air travel. It’s depressing being served a drink by someone who should be enjoying retirement and not kept in the labor force well into their 60s.
I’d much prefer an experienced Flight attendant. They’re friendlier, more efficient & know how to deal with rowdy passengers.
I’ll bet Sully was glad he had an experienced crew when he landed in the Hudson!
It’s all about demographics. Years ago flight attendants were young, pretty and mostly white. Europe is still this way with regard to flight attendants with both men and women being mostly under 35 and who then move on to have families and careers conducive to raising a family. Same thing with the Asian airlines having young cabin crews. At hotels in Europe it is usually nice and attractive women and men at the front desk in hotels. In the U.S. we tend to get the worst of the worst. Flight attendants stay on 30 years past their prime (had a 70 year old flight attendant in business class on a 11 hour flight on American) and hotel receptionists tend to be the people we want nothing to do with in our personal lives.
Gary – you are not at all an industry expert and lack the dept of knowledge needed to write an article that would make sense to a pilot. There is plenty of growth in our jobs… its called retirement and attrition.
Seems to me the title of your article is wrong. You ask the question about the Flight Attendant job not being glamorous but your points suggest your really asking why “Flight Attendants” aren’t glamorous, suggesting it’s because they are old.
No, flying hasn’t changed much but the practices in hiring have. In 1970 it became illegal to fire Flight Attendants because they got married, became pregnant or they exceeded 32 years of age. Prior to that time airlines could require you quit or be terminated. In the 80’s it was no longer legal to do weigh ins or check to see if female Flight Attendants were wearing a girdle. This is no joke. These rules really existed.
Women have more options today. If your young, beautiful and educated, the world is your oyster. You can have almost any career you desire and earn enough to buy airline tickets and go where ever you want. Air fare has become more affordable and many can afford to travel/fly.
The entry level pay for Flight Attendants is extremely low. As compared to what they were, wages dont reach a livable level until after 5 to 7 years in the job. If you want to objectify yourself, there are numerous career options that pay very well. Flight Attendants are there for the safety and comfort of the passengers not to be “hot” or eye candy. There are many women who also fly for business and I don’t think they care if their Flight Attendants are performing their job “glamorously”.
Getting back to the low level entry pay. It is difficult to attract qualified young people to this career when they can’t afford to live, especially in the cities that all airlines have crew bases: New York, New Jersey, Boston, Washington DC, Los Angeles and Seattle. The turn over is extremely high.
Flight Attendants need to look professional, have excellent hygiene, and be in good health and be fit to handle the rigors of the job (1st to 3rd shift hours one week to the next, time zone changes, 10 to 14 hour days being standard, standing all day, walking in turbulence and short overnights to name a few) which can come in all shapes, sizes, colors, sexs’ and ages.
Those Flight Attendants that are more mature started when the job paid better and have stayed for a multitude of reasons. There were able to stick it out during their stint on reserve, a not so glamorous part of the job. Or they were able to stick it out by commuting to work while living in a more affordable place. Commuting can be difficult and make your days even longer. Another not so glamorous element of the job.
Years ago, the airlines invested more in their Flight Attendants. They required more customer service experience and college or at least some extended education to qualify for an interview. They also focused on service more; better product in terms of food, upgrades, amenities, frequent flyer programs and new and cleaner aircraft and comfortable seats. That included a focus on customer service handling skills training. There were classes for grooming, makeup application, hair styles and haircuts and there was help with the maintenance of “your look” through education and product affiliation. There was more emphasis on customer handling skills, conflict resolution
and difficult customer situations. All elements that were part of Initial Training. Most of these things have long gone. Train the federal requirements and get them out there is what happens more often these days.
Maybe the more mature people in this job may have left earlier if they hadn’t lost their pensions or lost several years of contributions to their retirement funds while they were laid off after September 11 or the last recession. Maybe if there were incentives for them to retire early, retirement travel benefits for life after 20 years of service?
Maybe some just want to work until they can’t. Or have to work until they qualify for Medicare, which is 65!
Where all the glamour went is really a more deep question and complex situation then just the 6 points you made.
One thing for sure is you won’t get or keep young qualified and attractive people for the pay or the quality of life compromises they are subjected to.
I have been a Flight Attendant for nearly 30 years. I speak from a place of years of experience. It was more glamorous, as you say, when I started. I’ve been with three different carriers in my career. When I was hired extended education beyond high school was a requirement. The benefits were better. I have had a great long career and I would consider retirement in my mid 50’s, but I’m still capable and able and still look pretty dog gone good if I can say so myself!
My only concerns when flying in regards to flight attendants is that they are first, safety conscious and situationally aware. Second, that they are courteous and try to do right by the flying public. A distant third is that they look like the kind of person who washes their hands (ie presentable, clean clothes, etc.) I care nothing for personal charms. If a FA is kind, competent, tries to do a good job, etc. then I’m more than satisfied.
I think one of the hardest jobs (besides nursing) is being a flight attendant. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. And I always thank the flight crew as I leave the plane…ALWAYS!
@lucas “I think there’s also a cultural change in most (though certainly not all) of the world, where everything just became more casual over the years. ”
I completely agree. So much of the glamour was dressing up for travel. It was a special occasion that not everyone could afford. Now everyone wants to be comfortable. It takes away from the glamour.
Awesome!!! Well said. And Thank You from someone who has been flying since 1968.
It isn’t as glamorous as it used to be for several reasons. When I began over three decades ago the industry catered to the wealthy and the elite. Airline ticket prices were high and the travel experience was special back then. People dressed to travel and it was a special event in many peoples lives that they saved all year to do. Airlines were regulated and subsidized. The service was first class, top notch, designer uniforms and grooming as well as weight standards were very strict back then. The job was very well respected and it had alot of class. Alot has changed since that time and most for the worst in my opinion. It first began it’s fall with airline deregulaton in 1978. This allowed the entrance of the double edged sword. It brought in the low cost carriers and access for cheap airline travel for all.
Yet, everything has a price. Air travel was brought to the masses at cheap affordable prices. Yet, airlines still had the same costs of doing business so those financial cuts had to come from somewhere. Many are unaware of just where those cuts took place. Some are obvious and others not so much. The ones passengers saw was crowded planes with lots of low class people now being allowed to travel. There were many cuts to once free amenites onboard and the quality of those amenties and catering. The flying experience was no longer exclusive or special anymore. After 9/11 we saw the next hit where even the First Class and Business Class cabins were cut back in food, service and quality. The only airlines that have that service and food level now are the subsidized carriers from the Middle East and Asia. Then there are the other serious and dangerous cuts that began after deregulation which have really snow balled to where they are today. These are the cuts that the passengers do not see or even understand. They are the cuts in cleaning, sanitation and the most terrifying of all is aircraft maintenance. It is to the point today that aircrafts are being dangerously assembled in non union plants by untrained, unskilled labor. U.S. Aircraft are having their most important C Check engine overhaul work done at sketchy and marginal Outsourced Offshore Maintenance facilities performed by non english speaking, non union, non FAA Certified Mechanics which are neither inspected or overseen. Engine Wet Seals which protects the breathing air we have in the aircraft cabin were once changed every 5,000 Flight Hours. After deregulation this was increased to 30,000 hours to 50,000 hours. The cabin air known as “bleed air” is already provided by a known defective design where air contamination is already residual. Yet, when you allow the one layer of protecton to be compromised then it leads to simply horrific results.
Now with the ULCC maintenance program many airlines prescribe to now allow these seals to only be sent to the overhaul facility for repair and replacement once they crack and burst. This is what we call a Fume Event today. The planes are deferred and typically fly another 7 days after a seal rupture before being sent to some marginal outsourced offshore unsupervised and non FAA certified maintenance facllity for repair. Now toxic cabin air Fume Events which occur daily now worldwide are at the highest numbers ever. These events are causing crippling illnesses, chronic sickness for Pilots, Flight Attendants and Passengers while often disabling crews and leading to several of their early and sudden deaths. As well as many crashes and near crashes which are all having their true details fully concealed and suppressed by airline manufacturers, airline management, aviation legislators, airline unions, FAA, NTSB and the media. This has been hidden from the flying public for over 60 years. The situation has only grown exponentially to where it is now which is beyond a daily chronic extremely dangerous well known and well hidden problem in today’s aviation.
So if you would like to know where the Glamour has gone. I think that fairly sums it up for you.
Aviation Travel Writer: The Flight Times Blog
https://aviationtravelwriter.com/
Well..purely w.r.t. aviation industry in India…we were a British colony, and a lot of thinking and culture remains unchanged. The premier airline in India used to be Air India whose norms very very sexist and strict. Their ideal candidate would be aged 18 to 22, petite, tall, educated from an English speaking convent school, smart, docile, beautiful etc…. Up until the 90s, female cabin crew were never promoted to lead…they were hired for the post of hostess and retired that way too…only males were promoted to the purse position and were the ones to do all the paperwork, bar consumption forms, loads of manual documentation and so on. Fast forward to Y2k..new emerging airlines like kingfisher, jet airways, air Sahara became top private players, and did have the same norms except that females too were promoted to fly as senior cabin crew/cabin crew incharge/L1/lead fa. Then came the budgetairlines …everyone can fly..literally gives you the feeling of traveling in a full bus.
With government norms, people from all classes and castes given equal opportunities, girls from all classes of society became cabin crew and we also have passengers from all backgrounds…so much so that on certain middle east flights, some pax shite the floor..first time air traveller’s who don’t know lavatory etiquette…mainly laborers flying to middle east.(sorry don’t wanna sound like racist karen).
Still these days, what remains unchanged is the sexism, ageism and so much more discrimination. Only underweight girls (bmi 18 to 21 only) are hired and age group 18 to23 max, and weight checks every month, below average salary, too much work, handling indian passengers. Seriously the most under rated job.