On Thursday, December 13, 2018, United Airlines' Flight Attendants, and their supporters, will be out in force at domiciles across the globe to express their disappointment, frustration and anger with United management over some changes that have come down, and that are coming, and their negative impact over some important issues:
What trigged this decision by the AFA leadership to hold this "Day of Action" is the recent announcement that the airline will be reducing the number of flight attendants they have working on most international and domestic flights. Added to that is the ongoing, and seemingly never-ending, system problems with the integration of flight attendants from the two pre-merger airline groups that went into effect on October 1 of this year. AFA leaders have heard from their members and now management needs to hear the voice of thousands of good people who are a vital part to the success of the airline.
Disclaimers - As you read this, I am sure you may come across something I may say that is incorrect. With my day job getting in the way, this post is being written late at night after a long day at work. In addition, I have not had time to verify some of the things that I may have been told by other United Airlines employees, and I may have some facts mixed up. Even with that, I do feel that the AFA leadership would not have called for this "Day of Action" unless they felt that it was needed to get management's attention. I so wish I could be there on Thursday, but no matter how much I tried, I just could not find time to get away from the office for a couple of hours.
- Passenger Safety and Comfort;
- Crew Member Safety and Health;
- How management truly views the role of the Flight Attendants and their value to the product and brand that is United Airlines.
What trigged this decision by the AFA leadership to hold this "Day of Action" is the recent announcement that the airline will be reducing the number of flight attendants they have working on most international and domestic flights. Added to that is the ongoing, and seemingly never-ending, system problems with the integration of flight attendants from the two pre-merger airline groups that went into effect on October 1 of this year. AFA leaders have heard from their members and now management needs to hear the voice of thousands of good people who are a vital part to the success of the airline.
Disclaimers - As you read this, I am sure you may come across something I may say that is incorrect. With my day job getting in the way, this post is being written late at night after a long day at work. In addition, I have not had time to verify some of the things that I may have been told by other United Airlines employees, and I may have some facts mixed up. Even with that, I do feel that the AFA leadership would not have called for this "Day of Action" unless they felt that it was needed to get management's attention. I so wish I could be there on Thursday, but no matter how much I tried, I just could not find time to get away from the office for a couple of hours.
Reduced In-Flight Staffing
Starting in January of 2019, United is cutting by one or more, the number of flight attendants assigned to work any one flight. Management offers three reasons to support their decision:
- Increased volatility in jet fuel pricing, and the persistent shortage of pilots puts the pressure on to cut costs elsewhere in the system;
- The new in-flight staffing levels are comparable to what might be found on American or Delta;
- New routes, and capacity increases on high-demand routes, will make up for the number of lines cut elsewhere.
It is hard to argue against management's reasoning; however, it is important to take a step back and think about the long-term consequences behind this decision.
Because the hour is late, I am going to narrow the focus of this post on the most important aspect to consider and that is passenger and crew member safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does mandate minimum in-flight staffing levels, but those minimums were put into place decades ago at a time when terrorism and other acts of violence in public places were not even considered to be possible in the United States or on a U.S. carrier. FAA minimums were also established at a time when airlines were not under the pressure they are now to fill every seat in order to be able to turn a profit. In response to the events of 9/11/2001, the FAA did issue new requirements in security training for flight attendants; however, those new requirements did not address minimum staffing requirements. The added security requirements meant increased training costs for the airlines, and added duties for the flight attendants. Airline management responded by cutting passenger service and amenities, rather than increase the number of flight attendants on any one flight.
Minimum staffing levels are first determined by the number of seats on a plane. After that is the added consideration of the placement of those flight attendants during and takeoff and landing, and their close proximity to the floor level exit doors that are on the plane.
The 757 and newer model 737's both carry approximately 180 passengers, and both are narrow-body jets. By number of seats, FAA minimums require 4 flight attendants for both planes. The 737 has 4 floor-level exit doors, and the 757 has six (6). A reasonable question would be why the 757 does not require a minimum of 6 flight attendants. On the 757, the jumpseats are in the front, mid-cabin, and rear sections of the plane. One flight attendant may be seated in the mid-cabin jump seat, but the 2 mid cabin exit doors are directly across from each other and in theory, the flight attendant at mid-cabin should be able to quickly open both doors if needed. In addition, that row at mid-cabin is considered an "exit row" and passengers seated in that row will be asked to assist in the event an evacuation if necessary.
So, is the 737 with only 4 doors and 4 flight attendants safer? Not necessarily because you have to evacuate the same number of passengers and the flight attendants will be stationed at the front and rear sections of the plane. Mid-cabin, the exits are over-wing window exits, and flight attendants are not going to be able watch those exits in an evacuation. This is why passengers seated in those exit rows are also asked to be prepared to assist in an evacuation. This is also one of many reasons why it is so important that passengers pay attention to safety demonstrations.
Wide body planes are a different story. Consider the 777 with 300 seats. By seat count, FAA guidelines call for a minimum of 6 flight attendants. However, there are 8 exit doors and the 777 is a wide body jet. One flight attendant is not going to be able to monitor two doors across from each other as they might be able to do on a narrow body jet. Unless the plane is empty, the FAA will say that there needs to be a minimum of 8 flight attendants on the 777 before it can push back from the gate.
Maybe it is because I live in a large city and my flying takes me to other large cities, but I have a hard time remembering when any mainline flight I have been on has been less than 95% full. In addition, more and more seats are being added. Boeing originally designed the 737 to be a mid-range passenger jet carrying 100 or so passengers. Today, the new model 737's are carrying nearly 200 passengers on cross-country routes and some over-water routes such as from the west coast to Hawaii. Discount airlines are looking are even considering newer model 737's to ferry passengers from the east coast to Europe.
So for most flights in the U.S., flight attendants, on average are being asked to be vigilant and keep an eye on 50 passengers at any one time. With each flight, it is a new set of 50 passengers. That is a whole lot of crazy to watch. It is too much crazy to monitor for any one person who is still expected to deliver superior on board service to the customers.
This "Day of Action" is not just about United Airlines, this "Day of Action" is a message to management at all airlines that they expect too much. Just because there has not been a terrorist event on an airliner in a number of years, does not mean the risk has diminished. This "Day of Action" is telling all airline management that Flight Attendants stand in solidarity, and place a high value on the security and safety of Passengers and Crew Members.
The decision by AFA leadership to hold this "Day of Action" is also meant to send a message to their membership that they have their backs, and are not going to let United management do anything that minimizes the importance of the role of the Flight Attendants. They also want their members to understand that in solidarity, they have a strong voice and management will listen.
In closing - this goes out to the new hires who may not fully understand why this "Day of Action" is so important. Your union plays a vital role in making sure that management understands your value to United Airlines. Without this support, your lone voice is not going to be heard. If you enjoy being a Flight Attendant and are proud to be a part of the "Friendly Skies" then you have to make sure management listens when things are headed off track. As a member of the AFA you will be heard.
The hour is late, and there is more I wanted to write about, but will have to put off for a later date. I so wish I could be there on Thursday. I hope there is a big turnout. I was told that Oscar Munoz is supposed to be at LAX on Thursday, so to my AFA-LAX friends - get out there in big numbers. Don't let some fluff announcement about new international destinations drown out the important message you want to make sure United management hears.
Because the hour is late, I am going to narrow the focus of this post on the most important aspect to consider and that is passenger and crew member safety. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does mandate minimum in-flight staffing levels, but those minimums were put into place decades ago at a time when terrorism and other acts of violence in public places were not even considered to be possible in the United States or on a U.S. carrier. FAA minimums were also established at a time when airlines were not under the pressure they are now to fill every seat in order to be able to turn a profit. In response to the events of 9/11/2001, the FAA did issue new requirements in security training for flight attendants; however, those new requirements did not address minimum staffing requirements. The added security requirements meant increased training costs for the airlines, and added duties for the flight attendants. Airline management responded by cutting passenger service and amenities, rather than increase the number of flight attendants on any one flight.
Minimum staffing levels are first determined by the number of seats on a plane. After that is the added consideration of the placement of those flight attendants during and takeoff and landing, and their close proximity to the floor level exit doors that are on the plane.
The 757 and newer model 737's both carry approximately 180 passengers, and both are narrow-body jets. By number of seats, FAA minimums require 4 flight attendants for both planes. The 737 has 4 floor-level exit doors, and the 757 has six (6). A reasonable question would be why the 757 does not require a minimum of 6 flight attendants. On the 757, the jumpseats are in the front, mid-cabin, and rear sections of the plane. One flight attendant may be seated in the mid-cabin jump seat, but the 2 mid cabin exit doors are directly across from each other and in theory, the flight attendant at mid-cabin should be able to quickly open both doors if needed. In addition, that row at mid-cabin is considered an "exit row" and passengers seated in that row will be asked to assist in the event an evacuation if necessary.
So, is the 737 with only 4 doors and 4 flight attendants safer? Not necessarily because you have to evacuate the same number of passengers and the flight attendants will be stationed at the front and rear sections of the plane. Mid-cabin, the exits are over-wing window exits, and flight attendants are not going to be able watch those exits in an evacuation. This is why passengers seated in those exit rows are also asked to be prepared to assist in an evacuation. This is also one of many reasons why it is so important that passengers pay attention to safety demonstrations.
Wide body planes are a different story. Consider the 777 with 300 seats. By seat count, FAA guidelines call for a minimum of 6 flight attendants. However, there are 8 exit doors and the 777 is a wide body jet. One flight attendant is not going to be able to monitor two doors across from each other as they might be able to do on a narrow body jet. Unless the plane is empty, the FAA will say that there needs to be a minimum of 8 flight attendants on the 777 before it can push back from the gate.
Maybe it is because I live in a large city and my flying takes me to other large cities, but I have a hard time remembering when any mainline flight I have been on has been less than 95% full. In addition, more and more seats are being added. Boeing originally designed the 737 to be a mid-range passenger jet carrying 100 or so passengers. Today, the new model 737's are carrying nearly 200 passengers on cross-country routes and some over-water routes such as from the west coast to Hawaii. Discount airlines are looking are even considering newer model 737's to ferry passengers from the east coast to Europe.
So for most flights in the U.S., flight attendants, on average are being asked to be vigilant and keep an eye on 50 passengers at any one time. With each flight, it is a new set of 50 passengers. That is a whole lot of crazy to watch. It is too much crazy to monitor for any one person who is still expected to deliver superior on board service to the customers.
This "Day of Action" is not just about United Airlines, this "Day of Action" is a message to management at all airlines that they expect too much. Just because there has not been a terrorist event on an airliner in a number of years, does not mean the risk has diminished. This "Day of Action" is telling all airline management that Flight Attendants stand in solidarity, and place a high value on the security and safety of Passengers and Crew Members.
The decision by AFA leadership to hold this "Day of Action" is also meant to send a message to their membership that they have their backs, and are not going to let United management do anything that minimizes the importance of the role of the Flight Attendants. They also want their members to understand that in solidarity, they have a strong voice and management will listen.
In closing - this goes out to the new hires who may not fully understand why this "Day of Action" is so important. Your union plays a vital role in making sure that management understands your value to United Airlines. Without this support, your lone voice is not going to be heard. If you enjoy being a Flight Attendant and are proud to be a part of the "Friendly Skies" then you have to make sure management listens when things are headed off track. As a member of the AFA you will be heard.
The hour is late, and there is more I wanted to write about, but will have to put off for a later date. I so wish I could be there on Thursday. I hope there is a big turnout. I was told that Oscar Munoz is supposed to be at LAX on Thursday, so to my AFA-LAX friends - get out there in big numbers. Don't let some fluff announcement about new international destinations drown out the important message you want to make sure United management hears.
Thank you Mr Anderson!!
ReplyDeleteWell, said. Staffing is important to customers, and flight attendants deserve better schedules. It may be legal to schedule days up to 14 hours or more, but does that make it right? They have taken the letter of the contract and made it the rule instead of the exception. Working 13 hour duty days with over 8 hours of flight time with long sits between multiple segments, often extending to the midnight hours, is not safe. I'm glad to see AFA encourage their membership to step up and be heard by passengers and management. I'm gladder still to see people like you rally their cause! Keep it up!
ReplyDelete