American Airlines irks flight attendants
The union representing American Airlines flight attendants is lashing out at a memo from company leaders urging them to forgo getting food and hustle to get to planes on time, even when being called in last minute to crew a flight.
In a letter to members Thursday, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants said guidance from the company for getting to planes earlier was “insulting” after months of dealing with grumpy passengers, enforcing mask mandates and putting themselves in harm’s way during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It now seems that skipping food runs on the way to the airplane and monitoring traffic patterns should be our new normal,” said the letter from APFA President Julie Hedrick. “This company continues to demonstrate just how out-of-touch they are with flight attendants, ignoring the fatigue-inducing trip construction and the constant battles over mask compliance.”
The flight attendants’ rebuke comes as American Airlines is trying to gear up for a summer travel season that is anticipated to be much busier than last year. Meanwhile, the company just finished recalling thousands of flight attendants who were on furlough or voluntary leave from cost-cutting measures that were eventually resolved with government aid.
But even during pandemic hampered 2020, American Airlines fell further behind competitors in terms of on-time percentage.
And if taking time for meals is a problem now, it could get much worse as airports say they are struggling to find restaurant and store workers heading into the summer travel season.
The memo from American was posted for flight attendants to read Monday, giving some “tips and things to consider to be sure” they’re “on time and ready to go,” according to the View from the Wing blog, which posted the memo.
The memo gives directions for flight attendants, such as charging tablets before leaving home or hotels, and leaving a few minutes early to give ample time for roadway traffic and Transportation Security Administration security lines.
Union leaders took issue with some of the directions, particularly for flight attendants on “reserve” or standby.
“You may not have time to stop and get food, etc., on the way to the plane - particularly if you’re called at the last minute, so keep that in mind,” the memo read.
The union is in the midst of restarting contract negotiations with American as the carrier emerges from the pandemic. American flight attendants have long complained that the company’s technology forces far too many crew members to be on standby reserve at each airport. Reserve crew members, both pilots and flight attendants, are required to be at the ready to fly, but only get partial pay during that time unless called on to fly.
“American sees this as a golden opportunity to make our lives more difficult by increasing reserve seniority and throwing 27% of a crew base on reserve instead of working to make our lives easier in this challenging environment,” Hedrick’s letter said. “American Airlines seems to have forgotten that flight attendants spend the most time with our customers.
”It is time that we are recognized for our work and our sacrifices instead of receiving a callous communication asking us to skip a meal while on duty,“the letter said.