I’m a pretty pro-union guy, but I have a hard time supporting the union on this one, at least based on my understanding of the situation (thanks to PYOK for flagging this).
In this post:
American crews demand more pay for Heathrow catering mess
For several weeks now, American has had a bit of a catering problem for flights departing London Heathrow (LHR). For years, American had partnered with dnata on catering out of the airport, but American abruptly cut ties with the catering company, which is owned by the Emirates Group.
It would appear that there might have been some health safety or cleanliness concerns with the caterer, so obviously that’s a problem. What makes matters worse is how long this has dragged on, as American has struggled to fully transition caterers:
- Initially, American had to double cater all flights to London Heathrow, meaning the food for the return flight was already loaded in the US; given limited galley space, this meant meal service had to be scaled back considerably
- American then managed to get DO&CO to cater its premium cabins, given that this is what British Airways uses, and American and British Airways have a joint venture
- For whatever reason, American still doesn’t have a catering contract for economy, so economy meals continue to be double catered from the United States
Obviously this is a new service flow for the crew, and is less than ideal. I imagine American is also dealing with a lot of unhappy economy passengers, given the even worse than usual food quality (meanwhile in premium cabins, food is largely better than before).
The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), which represents American’s flight attendants, is now getting involved in this issue. The union is demanding materially more pay for flight attendants working London flights, arguing that the catering issue has increased their workload.
On Monday, April 13, 2026, the New York chapter of the APFA told members it was fighting for more pay for crews working London flights:
The current conditions have materially changed how service is executed, and the added burden, particularly from double provisioning and modified service flows, has created a significantly increased and often unpredictable workload.
There is no question that Flight Attendants working these flights are doing more work under more difficult conditions, without any corresponding adjustment to staffing or compensation, and that is not acceptable.
Then on Thursday, April 16, 2026, the Dallas Fort Worth chapter of the union informed members it had formally filed a Notice of Dispute (NOD) with management, and if that didn’t resolve anything, the airline would file a Presidential Grievance:
Following sustained advocacy and continued efforts to hold senior management accountable, the DFW Base has formally filed a Notice of Dispute (NOD). This action directly reflects the concerns raised by our members and represents a necessary step in enforcing our contractual protections.
Despite repeated engagement, the issues impacting our crews—particularly within the LHR operation—remain unresolved. As a result, we are actively advancing this dispute through the appropriate contractual channels while continuing to pursue escalation, including the filing of a Presidential Grievance if warranted.
Our position is clear:
- The ongoing catering failures in the LHR market have materially altered working conditions and significantly increased workload for our Flight Attendants.
- These operational deficiencies have required crews to perform duties well beyond the scope of standard service expectations.
- The Company has an obligation to recognize and compensate for these impacts.
We are actively advocating for:
- Meaningful and appropriate compensation for all affected Flight Attendants
- Application of understaffing pay, where contractual thresholds have been met or exceeded
- Enforcement of Red Flag pay protections, where applicable under Section 10.H
- Accountability for the operational failures that have led to these conditions
This is not simply an operational inconvenience—it is a contractual and quality-of-work-life issue that demands resolution. Our members have continued to perform at a high level under increasingly challenging circumstances, and that effort must be recognized.
I have a hard time siding with flight attendants on this topic
I have a lot of respect for the profession of flight attendants, and for the most part I think they work hard, and I wouldn’t last very long in the job, because dealing with the traveling public can’t be easy.
That being said, based on my understanding of this situation, I have a hard time not rolling my eyes at this request, and it’s one of those things where I have to acknowledge “yeah, this is why so many people don’t like unions.”
Is there a marginally increased workload with this temporary catering situation? I don’t doubt it. But they’re literally on the clock getting paid, and there’s no indication that the workload is so great that they’re not able to get their standard crew rest, or anything.
American flight attendants are very competitively paid, despite American’s uncompetitive financials. Now they want to be paid as if a flight is understaffed? And they would like Red Flag pay protections, which offers 150% pay, and is normally reserved for when scheduling desperately needs flight attendants to pick up trips?
No disrespect to American flight attendants, but on long haul flights, they seem to have a lot of time to sit in the galley (as they should, since no one expects them to work nonstop).
Also, I get this is an oversimplification and that unions are there to advocate for their members at all times, but this just seems a little tone deaf in the current environment. American is barely profitable in the first place, and the current jet fuel situation means the airline may very well lose billions. But the flight attendants want more pay, for an issue that’s seemingly outside of American’s control.
To be clear, I say none of this in defense of management either, as the company needs new leadership. But yeah, that doesn’t mean I side with the union here. Keep in mind that for flight attendants, long haul flights are among the “easiest,” in terms of efficiently racking up flight hours.
If they find the workload of a two-day London trip to be too much, I’d encourage them to instead bid on a domestic sequence lasting several days that has 12 segments, with the same number of flight hours, and they can report back on how the workload compares.
Bottom line
American has been having issues with catering at Heathrow in recent weeks, as it cut ties with its existing supplier. The transition away from that hasn’t exactly been seamless, with flights still being double catered from the United States.
The union representing flight attendants is claiming that this has “significantly increased workload” for flight attendants, and has required crews to “perform duties well beyond the scope of standard service expectations.” So they’re demanding pay as if the flight is understaffed, and/or as if it’s a premium trip they’re picking up.
While I understand this situation isn’t ideal, this seems like a step too far to me. But hey, that’s just my take.
What do you make of the APFA’s request for more pay over catering issues?
You're an idiot and clearly not looking at the big picture. The workload is way more and most of the work is done before boarding begins, therefore, not on the clock as you suggest. On top of that, the work is all manual, lifting heavy bins of soda and moving things around. It's not as simple as your mind makes it out to be.
Before they ended their contract with Dnata they should have contracted with another company making the changeover less painless. Again management is clueless. Double catering is a huge hassle with special meals as the return flight has 2 meal services. This situation should have not gone on this long. As a former flight attendant AA responds only when it cost $$$. Additionally the staffing levels were reduced due to COVID and have not been returned.
So let me understand, all the food is loaded in America, and dispensed on the fights. So it would appear, the FA'S are involved once to stock the galley versus twice. It means productivity is increased and it gives them more time on the return to do what; talk to each other, surf the Internet and help passengers? Is that the problem, they have to interact with the passengers more?
As I understand it, flight attendants don't get paid until the flight takes off, so what they're complaining about is probably that the outbound flights to LHR have an extra workload in double-catering for economy class, for which they wouldn't get paid.
I get the annoyance of the increased workload from double catering and the company probably shouldn't be able to modify large aspects of responsibilities of its employees on a whim but a pay increase is a wild over correction to the situation. Not a fight worth having for the union and not a great pr look. I would think the response is just focus on the decrease in quality of the product for double catering...
I get the annoyance of the increased workload from double catering and the company probably shouldn't be able to modify large aspects of responsibilities of its employees on a whim but a pay increase is a wild over correction to the situation. Not a fight worth having for the union and not a great pr look. I would think the response is just focus on the decrease in quality of the product for double catering and overworking crews on longer flights were they need rest periods to stay alert for everyone's safety.
I never heard such nonsense. If the poor overworked Darlings are so exhausted then they should do us a favour and retire.
In the meantime, BA is not perfect but their crews are so much sharper and more pleasant. All drinks are free and there is an onboard flight manager to make sure the service runs well, unlike American where they do as they
pease.
Interesting comment by Goheelz about high paid FAs. I wonder if AA management could set a maximum wage budget per route to London (and other long haul destinations) and force the crew to use younger, cheaper FAs to meet the flight quota? No more flights exclusively stocked with expensive grannies.
You clearly have zero knowledge a flight attendant's roles or duties and probably should have kept your opinion to yourself.
Round-tripping catering items creates a work load you obviously have no clue about.
Maybe try it out sometime. I think your opinion would change.
AA granny/grandad has entered the chat. Nice try gan-gan. But stop lying. Round trip catering doesn't make your cushy any harder.
@Len Hill - How about you tell us what is involved....we do not understand how this has created more work, but would like to know.
In my mind its "dont touch the ex LHR meals in cart x...on US departing flights.
We would love to know in as much detail as you can provide what has changed.
I am confused : the flights are double catered ex USA to LHR? So the LHR to USA catering isn’t touched by the ex USA crew ? Where’s the extra workload for the ex USA crew ?
It does not create extra work, that is the point and the created. Instead of stocking twice, you stock once. At best it is the exact same yet it is certainly not more
you cant expect the cabin crew to actually work lol.
how would they find time to sit and chat to each other?!
What additional work are they being asked to perform that is seen as excessive and not compensated?
In 31 years of flying to Europe, I’ve never ever flew on US based carrier, only European flagged carriers. I don’t know what would possess people to fly on US carriers to foreign destinations. It’s not even like the prices competitive.
Ian, you post “I don’t know what would possess people to fly on US carriers to foreign destinations”. Serious alien travellers also find it difficult to understand the U.S. national’s mindset too, until that is, one delves deeper into the posts contained within Ben’s blog.
Credit Card loyalty programs, national pride promoting propaganda and the ‘status’ seeking dependence’s, are all narcotics to the masses. Not forgetting the introvert mentality of most. Personally, one is more...
Ian, you post “I don’t know what would possess people to fly on US carriers to foreign destinations”. Serious alien travellers also find it difficult to understand the U.S. national’s mindset too, until that is, one delves deeper into the posts contained within Ben’s blog.
Credit Card loyalty programs, national pride promoting propaganda and the ‘status’ seeking dependence’s, are all narcotics to the masses. Not forgetting the introvert mentality of most. Personally, one is more than content with the knowledge that the saying “Horses for courses” keeps the proletariat in their rightful place.
Right. Why on earth would Europeans, Asians and others not fly on American carriers when flying to America?
Oh please, the crew sleeps half the flight! What do you have to do? Board. Serve a meal. Disappear. Serve water or juice and an ice cream bar mid-flight, disappear again, then serve another light meal before landing. Oh, so overworked. Quit already.
This is post is a terrible take. The way you’re more ready and willing to put blame on workers and unions here than the sub-standard working conditions created by corporate (mis)management really says a lot. The FA union is simply using every lever at their disposal to fix a problem that HQ is dragging their feet to solve (and should ultimately be held responsible for).
Maybe if these flight attendants actually did something once in a while we’d have some support for them. Instead, they treat us like garbage and we have to beg for a refill on a drink. SAD!
How are they substandard working conditions? They’re the highest paid FAs in the world. There are thousands of crew at regionals and with less seniority that want the option to do it and the high seniority mafia is shutting them out and delivering subpar service. Why do they and we deserve to suffer ?
If you have flown AA internationally or domestic recently (within a year or two) on a consistent basis you would have seen how poor the service is getting . I only fly AA if I have too
If you have flown AA internationally or domestic recently (within a year or two) on a consistent basis you would have seen how poor the service is getting . I only fly AA if I have too
I suspect the flight attendants have to unpack and reassemble meal trays and meal carriers while disassembling them for the return. Their ability to address passengers service is also expected during this time.
Added duties are addressed by compensation. If management is not notified promptly, what incentive does it have to find another caterer?
I felt like my crew was effectively 'quiet quitting' on my recent LHR-JFK flight. Both services were completed in the 1 hour before takeoff and landing (meal was served promptly I guess!). The entire middle of the flight (5-6 hours) they were all in the back doing nothing - never passed through the cabin for garbage, seatbelt checks when sign went on and captain felt necessary to make an announcement about it, etc. And with...
I felt like my crew was effectively 'quiet quitting' on my recent LHR-JFK flight. Both services were completed in the 1 hour before takeoff and landing (meal was served promptly I guess!). The entire middle of the flight (5-6 hours) they were all in the back doing nothing - never passed through the cabin for garbage, seatbelt checks when sign went on and captain felt necessary to make an announcement about it, etc. And with the new subpar 787-9P design with no lavs in the back, they draw the curtains and just hide back there.
Now, in some ways, that's a typical AA flight. But the feeling was... different. Even with the second service they didn't bother to open up one of the sandwiches to tell people what kind of meat it was or what the veggie option was - they literally didn't care when people asked. At least they were honest when I asked if it was catered from the US or London (US of course).
Did get a proactive 7500 miles from AA without even filing a complaint because of the catering issues. Honestly felt more like compensation for the crew versus catering.
Hardly fly AA (thank god) as had the displeasure of flying PE with them from Auckland to LAX recently. The crew were the most miserable, passive aggressive, rude women (there were no men) we have encountered EVER on any flight. No excuses for this, you can treat everyone with a smile and friendly demeanour. If you don’t like it - go get another job.
On this trip, we did 14 flights from UK to USA,...
Hardly fly AA (thank god) as had the displeasure of flying PE with them from Auckland to LAX recently. The crew were the most miserable, passive aggressive, rude women (there were no men) we have encountered EVER on any flight. No excuses for this, you can treat everyone with a smile and friendly demeanour. If you don’t like it - go get another job.
On this trip, we did 14 flights from UK to USA, across NZ and Australia and the crews with BA and Qantas were lovely. AA genuinely shocked us - they weren’t mediocre but went out of their way to be rude and unhelpful with everyone.
Whatever you do, don't press the call bell for another drink on AA... On routes from London, I have found many of the old dears to be acerbic and sometimes actually rude. If I politely say I'd rather keep my window blind open on a day flight, it's turned into a security issue and she'll inform the captain. Sure, I'm happy to go to the galley to get a drink but call bells are there...
Whatever you do, don't press the call bell for another drink on AA... On routes from London, I have found many of the old dears to be acerbic and sometimes actually rude. If I politely say I'd rather keep my window blind open on a day flight, it's turned into a security issue and she'll inform the captain. Sure, I'm happy to go to the galley to get a drink but call bells are there for a reason and I don't appreciate being insulted by someone 'primarily there for my safety.' First time I ever flew longhual on AA (DFW-LHR) I asked if there was a choice of starter, since I'm allergic to prawns. "Does it list one on the menu? No, it doesn't. There are plenty of other courses, you won't starve."
I know BA is far from perfect and you can get some duff crews, but I have always preferred them on TATL routes. They can usually read if you want to be left alone or want a bit of banter. Many of them not as polished as those on Asian carriers (sommeliers they are not!), but I have found the vast majority to be warm and engaging. Maybe it's because I'm British. On a recent flight in F, having chatted to the crew and informed them that my wife was currently driving to our destination for 12 hours with our kids, she said "you're in trouble tomorrow morning, whatever and this champagne isn't going to drink itself is it."
So, bringing this back to topic, this move does not surprise me in the slightest. Let some of the brilliant younger cabin crew have a go. It's win win for everyone (except the grannies).
Whaaaat?! They're flight attendants! I assumed they were a bunch of grannies who were out for their weekly bingo game dressed in the same attire for team spirit...but who got lost and ended up on an aeroplane serving weak coffee. You learn something every day. Thanks, Ben!
One reads so many compliments about U.S. airlines from U.S. travellers, that one has to ask the question …. “With so much choice available to you, why do you U.S. travellers tolerate such abominable service?”
My take from reading Ben’s reviews and the comments herein, is that, almost all none U.S. transatlantic carriers offer a much better flight experience than that which the U.S. carriers can offer. As U.S. travellers are so dependent upon points,...
One reads so many compliments about U.S. airlines from U.S. travellers, that one has to ask the question …. “With so much choice available to you, why do you U.S. travellers tolerate such abominable service?”
My take from reading Ben’s reviews and the comments herein, is that, almost all none U.S. transatlantic carriers offer a much better flight experience than that which the U.S. carriers can offer. As U.S. travellers are so dependent upon points, airport lounges, free WiFi and status programs, they limit themselves to inferior flight experiences.
Free your minds, stop trying to get everything ‘on the cheap’, break away from the proletariat advertising propaganda and try one of the world class airlines which travel to your shores.
I think we all prefer to travel on foreign carriers.
We’re just held hostage by unions that have led to senior FAs who don’t seem to want to be there and are yet the best paid in the world.
We do generally have competitive hard products! We just have decided that younger people who want to work don’t deserve access to roles senior FAs do poorly at
An interesting submission Goheelz, thank you.
Absolutely Disagree. Flew TAP to Lisbon, they were worse than American back from Barcelona.
Should have stayed on Delta like we did to/from Milan and Rome.
Try dealing with over 40 premium pax on a 14,16 17 hour flight and come back to me
And the relevance of that to a 7 hour flight to London is what, exactly?
You know we could afford 2 FAs in that role if you just let younger workers work the flight. Staffing is a byproduct of skyrocketing senior pay. The younger people would be super happy too - getting to see the world and gaining experience.
It’s just an assault on the younger workforce
40?? BA manage 14F and 97J on their A380s. Sure, they’re not always perfect but much better than the old people’s home day release crowd.
Lazy management who isn't doing its job (or worse, contracting it away in negotiations) of managing employees, including firing lazy ones.
There is no supervision on flights, you're lucky if you have a FA who serves you out of being a decent person, as management isn't there to ensure that consistent service is delivered.
Oh man. Just here for the comments. More pay for pretty much the universally worst regarded FA's in the industry. Popcorn please.
Any US carrier on long haul doesnt come close to most foreign carriers. Just flew Fijiairways LAX to Nadi. The FA's were incredible. Make AA FA's look like slouches (which is a pretty apt description of AA FA on long haul in my experience). Since AA took over PHL to Doha I actually fly to MIA to fo across on Qatar rather than fly AA that far. To then have the uh gonads to ask...
Any US carrier on long haul doesnt come close to most foreign carriers. Just flew Fijiairways LAX to Nadi. The FA's were incredible. Make AA FA's look like slouches (which is a pretty apt description of AA FA on long haul in my experience). Since AA took over PHL to Doha I actually fly to MIA to fo across on Qatar rather than fly AA that far. To then have the uh gonads to ask for more money is amazing. If they delivered the service they should I would be somewhat sympathetic, but really, this is beyond the pale. As I always say, AA puts the bus in Airbus...
I now fly to JFK to avoid flying American to Doha. They are a joke of an airlineand their flight attendants are lazy and the food and boozeis awful.
CORRECTION: I now drive to JFK from Philly
I think the point is to put pressure on management to get their act together and fix the catering problems rather than passing the blame and extra work onto the flight attendant work group who has to deal with the customer dissatisfaction on a daily basis. If this is what it takes to get management to get serious about fixing the problems then it’s the only course of action the flight attendant union and workgroup have to take.
Tim: Delta is premium
1990: Management sucks. Union members work their butts off, are underpaid and abused.
Do you know what a buffoon you come off as? At least Tim has interesting data. You have only you broken saw about those poor suffering union members.
Since I know you love movie citations, let me paraphrase one for you. "Raymond, unions suck!"
Lazy ass flight attendants who completely disappear between dinner and breakfast service want a raise because of work load. Oh that’s rich!
There should be a condition to go with the pay raise. All the Sr Citizens working as FA's would have to Retire First. No more 80 year olds working the European Flights. There is an old Joke when the Flights land, and the Wheel Chairs arrive, The attendants normally ask "How many Wheel Chairs are for the Fliight Attendants".
100 percent agree!
I doin’t get why flight attendants get pay raises after 5 yrs. The pay structure is so perverse. You rob the young workers of opportunity and make flying worse and more expensive.
Give the younger workers a chance!
I doin’t get why flight attendants get pay raises after 5 yrs. The pay structure is so perverse. You rob the young workers of opportunity and make flying worse and more expensive.
Give the younger workers a chance!
Does your comment address the catering problem?
Consider flying Emirates or Qatar. But my guess is that you're too cheap. Or poor.
Once AA and UA merge later this year, maybe they'll fire the old battle axes.
This reads less like a workload complaint and more like a union using every contractual lever available to force management to fix something they’ve let drag on for weeks. If passenger complaints won’t move the needle, maybe financial pain will.
We sat in the first row of "Premium Economy" LHR-LAX. Never got a supposedly better meal, never got ANY extra service compared to the rest of economy, and during the lunch service prior to landing in LAX were told we couldn't order alcohol because the liquor had "already been counted".
'Unimpressed' was one word we used. There were other words we used as well.
What work do they actually do in comparison to the Asian airlines? You only ever see them during meal service besides take off and landing. The only work I see them ever do is to bring you your meals. Never see them go around for refills or walking about the cabins during the flights as they are always chatting with their colleagues. Feel a bit awkward pressing the service button when I really want something...
What work do they actually do in comparison to the Asian airlines? You only ever see them during meal service besides take off and landing. The only work I see them ever do is to bring you your meals. Never see them go around for refills or walking about the cabins during the flights as they are always chatting with their colleagues. Feel a bit awkward pressing the service button when I really want something to drink because they are only there for our safety. Definitely go for Asian carrier rather than U.S. carriers when flying on long haul or intra-Asia flights.
Not very patriotic of you.
That has been my experience, too.
Disjointed, chaotic meal service followed by hours of hiding from the passengers.
Even on their newest flagship preferred product.
@Ralph And when you press the service button because you are parched they look so annoyed haha.
@Trust the plan You totally missed the point. This has to do with service. And based on what you said, then the airlines from the U.S. should only buy airplanes from Boeing and only stay at the American chain hotels like Marriott and Hilton even with their nickel and diming service.
"It would appear that there might have been some health safety or cleanliness concerns with the caterer"
Anyone expand on this, or have a link where we can find out more about it?
The old boilers who score LHR on their schedules; Ben and others have discussed the "London Mafia" that operates out of MIA on these pages; are mostly very senior and get paid rather well. I note that the Union complaint is careful not to define the actual work that is required of them by this apparently cruel and unjust imposition. I'm all for paying people fairly for every minute they're required to be at work...
The old boilers who score LHR on their schedules; Ben and others have discussed the "London Mafia" that operates out of MIA on these pages; are mostly very senior and get paid rather well. I note that the Union complaint is careful not to define the actual work that is required of them by this apparently cruel and unjust imposition. I'm all for paying people fairly for every minute they're required to be at work & in uniform but this, as we say in Australia, is taking the piss.
If you’re “all for paying people fairly” you’d be supporting (not attacking) these crews. Yeah, no, yeah, that’d be fair dinkum, mate.
You don’t want to be fair to the millions of qualified people that would do the job for less and be happy to be there. What about them?
Hoe could their workload possibly be increased so dramatically? Airline meals are loaded on trollies, which are stowed securely out of the way. The complaints sound like a whole lot of whining to me. If the Union actually defined what the problem is, people might be more sympathetic.
Could it be that the union is just trying to put an end to sub-standard service on that round. Seems ludicrous to think they actually believe they can get extra pay, so I wonder if it’s just a tactic to put pressure on management.
I don’t think you have the right information on how the trip constructions work. What trips are easy or what not.
Flying a LHR flight out of phl , and jfk is basically a waste of time ( they are consider very unproductive in terms of compensation.
I do agree with you on the fact that they don’t have to fly that destination for the time being. It is much easier for them to rank up hours in many other ways that are unknown for the regular travel / blogger.
How many people apply for FA roles every year again? Why don’t they deserve to be able to do these routes - you meet these hardworking regional crews and you know they’d kill for the opportunity to fly that route and would provide better service. Why do they deserve to not have the opportunity
Does the average person get more pay when their daily workload is temporarily higher? That's like someone saying their salary should increase on Monday's because their day is more involved and has meetings back to back.
It's totally fine to ask. But the answer is no.
If the lazy, bitter old grannies that always work the LHR flights are unhappy I'm sure their younger, more motivated colleagues would love the chance to work long haul.
I have no idea how these flight attendants would have survived a 1985 world in which coach was given a drink service and hot meal service on a LGA/ORD 727 flight. 90 minutes in air.
They did survive it. That’s how they’re able to hold LHR trips on 2026.
How about a compromise? In lieu of the difficulty, go ahead and skip that boarding beverage in premium cabins you don't serve anyway.
So these women are already getting paid six figures to serve drinks. What more do they want??? This is insane!!!
We never want to hear about pay equality ever again!
Ben, you fly enough to know the crews at AA are not being treated well by their management; while many on here seem to really hate the workers (sad), we should realize that times are tough and the people who literally serve us need our support. I wouldn’t have punched-down on this one.
Went right over your head.
What a joke!
Typical stupid 1990 comment on labor issues.
Tell us why APFA crews aren't being treated well by management. Is it that they have a contract and have for years while UA didn't?
Or is it that AA paid their FAs full pay during covid per the taxpayer while Delta chose to keep the bulk of the taxpayer funds for themselves since their non-union crews couldn't do a damn thing about Delta F*cking with the...
Typical stupid 1990 comment on labor issues.
Tell us why APFA crews aren't being treated well by management. Is it that they have a contract and have for years while UA didn't?
Or is it that AA paid their FAs full pay during covid per the taxpayer while Delta chose to keep the bulk of the taxpayer funds for themselves since their non-union crews couldn't do a damn thing about Delta F*cking with the covid bailout law to purposefully screw their flight Attendants and other non-union employees to their own corporate benefit?
Now AA flight attendants have to figure out the ever so slightest change to the norm and you say they're treated poorly and others "Hate Workers" for stating the obvious about how dumb it is to pity a workgroup that could be replaced in half a second by anyone with equally no job skills to do their jobs in 6 weeks. I love my flight attendants too, but does a workgroup with no actual work skills aside from a brief 4-6 week company training program need to be whining about how tough their jobs are when their jobs are, by far, the most well paid with so little training to do the position? The average person that has worked for their position in life would say no.
As ever. Take a second to think about what you write, 1990. You're the king of flying Delta business class and bragging about it -- the ultimate in union bashing airlines -- and you have the nerve to come on here to act like a champion of the people when none of your personal choices reflect anything to do with a union worker.
Grow up and purchase based on your weird commentary sections.
Julie, I’ve consistently pitched on here and elsewhere that Delta’s flight attendants, baggage handlers, and maintenance technicians should join Delta’s pilots (since 1934) and dispatchers in organizing. Over the years, I’ve been a Diamond, an EP, a 1K, and a Mosaic 3. Yes, Y, PE, J, and F, regional, transcon, long-haul. There is no reason to attack the crews on here or IRL. You’re welcome to attack me. I get off on all the attention. Psh.
‘Punching down’ is hardly how I would describe someone making $92 an hour
JUN, you should know the averages are lower than that, the hours are not consistently 40/week, etc., and that it’s not a lot of compensation, especially for those actually based in NYC or LON, two very high cost of living areas. Can you make $65K/year in NYC? Maybe. Some do. Wish there was more empathy and understanding on here. As people who travel frequently, many of us rely on those that serve these routes. We should want them to be well taken care of, too.
@1990 What service from the AA flight attendants? Based on what Ben has written and other comments here, you know that they always try to the bare minimum and hide in the galleys. And are you sure about what you wrote here: ‘ the people who literally serve us’. I think you meant the people who literally are only here for our safety and do the least amount of customer service as much as possible.
Give us a break. It’s not punching down to criticize overpaid candy crush players. Maybe if they got off their butt and serviced us we wouldn’t be so anti-flight attendant.
My computer is too slow.
The HVAC is 0.5 degrees uncomfortable.
The elevator is not big enough.
Parking lot has too many weeds.
Lunch cafeteria serves 1 olive less.
Worry not.
My union will get me a 20% raise or I will go on strike.
I the mean time I'll wear a fancy pin.
Their propaganda is building middle class.
Is about moving heavy cases of food and beverages? Because I can't see the work load being much different. Perhaps they could give a ramper a couple bucks to help set stuff up?
There's a really easy way to avoid this nonsense.
1. Get a high GPA
2. Score a 175+ LSAT
3. Attend a T14
4. Become an associate at a V20
5. Make equity partner (average pay at #20 ranked Ropes & Gray: over $7MM)
Hahahaha. “really easy”
Yeah, you’ve never done anything “hard” in your life. You expect to coast and the entitlements will flow your way. No one owes you shit! Make it on your own abilities or STFU.
Geez this bs again.
I wish he'd stop sharing his wanking fantasies with the rest of us.
This comes to mind, come on, the guy’s pretty funny. Maybe the jokes don’t land as well in Ohio. Wait, isn’t there Chappelle? Huh.
Just flew PHX to LHR two hours into flight had not even been served nuts or drink - the FA’s operated in slow motion so I gave up and went to bed. Pretty sure they need to step up their game first
Something tells me that this is all about AA not wanting to pay DO&CO rates for economy meals. I imagine DO&CO charges more than Dnata, but I think DO&CO is a better caterer too.
Perhaps the FA’s would be happier bidding for other TATL flights and avoiding London.
Do your job. No one forced you to be a flight attendant. I have the utmost respect for their jobs, and their role, which is to provide safety and not to plate my food. The pay is low. I get it, but it's not like they were forced to take this job.
Nah, let’s pay ‘em more, anyway.
The pay is not low anymore. They are doing just fine. The reality is that they are lazy and entitled.
Sooooo true. It’s beyond disgusting that these overpaid flying waitresses are asking for even more money.
Well may be they should take up a second job like this AA flight attendant who was arrested for posing as a cop ( oh and love how he disses AA as being like being a LCC and Spirit)
https://youtu.be/Rbsxwh4TAcc?si=AmvAWTWZ9h7M5xHb
Why don’t you get a second job.
An attitude adjustment is needed. I suggest the FA's go work as a server for a week of 8 hours days in any diner or restaurant around the US.
Not to mention the perks of overnighting at fancy London hotels and partaking in the nightlife that goes along with that. Your average restaurant server may get to experience that once in their life, not on a regular basis.
How about you adjust your attitude.
lol fancy London hotels? When I was still flying, our LHR hotels were either by the airport or if we were lucky enough to be downtown, we got the equivalent of a Days Inn.
Indeed. I don't see any servers at my local diner playing candy crush at 0700. Or 0800 or 0900.
They actually work in the first place? News to me. 60% of the flight they are sitting in their jump seats on their phone.... This is laughable.
Tell them exactly how you feel about them, preferably before meal and beverage service.
AA needs a hard reset in so many ways. Hate to see it's continued decline.
If the cabin crew wants more pay, then they better provide better service.
Sassy Ben is my favorite Ben!
100%