Someone at the country’s biggest flight attendant union has maybe been watching a little too much RuPaul’s Drag Race, because this sass is quite something…
In this post:
Endeavor Air union tells flight attendants not to argue
PYOK reports how the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA) has issued a memo to Endeavor Air flight attendants, regarding how they handle disputes with passengers onboard aircraft.
For reference, Endeavor Air is Delta’s wholly owned regional subsidiary, where flight attendants are paid significantly less than their mainline (non-unionized) counterparts, and also don’t get to take part in Delta’s profit sharing perk.
The union can negotiate a new contract in 2027, and is hoping for significant wage increases. The union is emphasizing the importance of flight attendants not being disciplined over their conduct and onboard behavior, ahead of these negotiations (which… seems a little random… but okay).
The union reminded flight attendants that their job is to inform passengers of the rules, and not to enforce them:
“The primary focus on all of the rules and regulations that we ask passengers to follow is to inform, not enforce.”
So if a flight attendant notices a passenger not following rules related to safety, the flight attendant should just remind the passenger of the rules. If the passenger refuses to cooperate, flight attendants are told not to argue with passengers, and to instead inform the captain and file a report. If the plane is still on the ground, the gate agent should be informed as well, so that the issue can be addressed before the door closes.
The memo reportedly continued with these rather strange points:
“We do not get paid to argue. Just stop. There’s absolutely no need to be extra. This is not within your job scope. Act your wage. You’re a Flight Attendant, not a Red Coat.”
For those curious, red coats are Delta’s senior customer service agents on the ground (who wear red coats, hence the name), so they’d typically deal with difficult passengers.
The union is right, but what a way to express that…
The Endeavor Air flight attendant union is absolutely correct with its advice. In the United States, some flight attendants aren’t very good at deescalating situations, and that rarely has a positive outcome for any party.
I commend the union for expressing that, and explaining that flight attendants have the duty of informing passengers of the rules, rather than somehow trying to take matters into their own hands.
Now, telling flight attendants that “there’s absolutely no need to be extra” and “just stop” is certainly a unique approach to communicating, which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before from a union.
What I don’t understand is how this is essentially turned into something regarding the wage battle, and telling flight attendants to “act your wage.” Is the argument really that Endeavor Air flight attendants aren’t paid enough to argue? Deescalation and flight attendants not taking matters into their own hands is a best practice, regardless of whether flight attendants have the best or worst contracts of any airline, no?
Like, if Delta mainline flight attendants are “acting their wage” and are paid more, does that mean they should argue with passengers?
Bottom line
The union representing flight attendants at Delta’s wholly owned subsidiary, Endeavor Air, has issued an interesting memo. Flight attendants are being reminded not to argue with passengers, and that their job is to inform, and not to enforce, even regarding safety related things.
That’s good advice and accurate, but what doesn’t make sense to me is how this is being tied into a wage battle, with flight attendants being told to “act [their] wage.” Regardless of how much flight attendants are paid, deescalation is always the best option.
What do you make of this memo for Endeavor Air flight attendants?
Endeavor F/As at least deserve hazard pay since they've had to evacuate an upside-down aircraft and suffer injuries from a collision with another company aircraft.....
I suspect Tim would emphasize that those were all 'Endeavor Air' not 'Delta'... *cough*
Besides, DL4819 was marketed as a 'rollercoaster,' and also, those two LGA aircraft were 'bumper-cars' not commercial flights. C'mon. Get the facts straight!
the principle has nothing to do with DL or Endeavor or even how much any one makes.
The principle is that FAs should tell people what they are required to do by law, advise when passengers are doing things that irritate other people even if not illegal, and then walk away and report to someone else to resolve or let it go.
DL and WN have a pretty long history of non-confrontational passenger relations compared...
the principle has nothing to do with DL or Endeavor or even how much any one makes.
The principle is that FAs should tell people what they are required to do by law, advise when passengers are doing things that irritate other people even if not illegal, and then walk away and report to someone else to resolve or let it go.
DL and WN have a pretty long history of non-confrontational passenger relations compared to other airlines; Endeavor is just telling its FAs to follow DL's model.
you you know that I said the same thing on Gary's site - as did you.
I know, Tim, we should 'let it go' sometimes, but, it's just too fun to... KEEP... CLIMBING!
Maybe, hear me out, all crew members (and support staff) at all the airlines (and other businesses) should be paid a living wage, if not, a thriving wage, with benefits, healthcare (ideally, not even tied to employment), and retirement planning. But… I guess that’s ‘socialism,’ so we get ‘bootstraps’ instead.
For those that rush on here to bash unions or to diminish flight attendants, I really pity you; first, organized labor has done countless good...
Maybe, hear me out, all crew members (and support staff) at all the airlines (and other businesses) should be paid a living wage, if not, a thriving wage, with benefits, healthcare (ideally, not even tied to employment), and retirement planning. But… I guess that’s ‘socialism,’ so we get ‘bootstraps’ instead.
For those that rush on here to bash unions or to diminish flight attendants, I really pity you; first, organized labor has done countless good for workers and society at-large; and, also, these flights crews are professionals who keep us safe and comfortable, lest we forget. Treat others as you and they wish to be treated.
Define living wage with an actual dollar amount.
You know that it depends on many factors. The answer is usually: More.
@1990 Always operating in the gray. Glad you're still using ketamine.
Alonzo, for instance, to you, an actual dollar amount may never be enough. But, for others, say, your employees, properly compensating them will always seem 'too much' for your, if you are the business owner or shareholder, because paying them more will lower your profits, perhaps. Yet, you may still need reliable, excellent staff. Huh. What a balancing act this all is. It's all perspective. And, it does vary.
Actually, ignore all that noise....
Alonzo, for instance, to you, an actual dollar amount may never be enough. But, for others, say, your employees, properly compensating them will always seem 'too much' for your, if you are the business owner or shareholder, because paying them more will lower your profits, perhaps. Yet, you may still need reliable, excellent staff. Huh. What a balancing act this all is. It's all perspective. And, it does vary.
Actually, ignore all that noise. Just blame 'lazy' and 'greedy' workers. Peasants!
Maslow's hierarchy of needs …. a very interesting concept, yes?
Sadly, the basics of successful personal management has been trashed by ‘know-nothings’ who claim to be business school teachers, etc.
Great news for you. They are paid very well for the work they do! And then some!!
Well then, problem solved. Please do say that specifically to the next flight crew you see.
"(You) are paid very well for the work (you) do!" (Then sip your PDB... yum.)
Act the wage you want to be, not the wage you are. Not suggesting the advice is wrong, but FAs not wanting to be judged on their behavior? That’s insanity.
Or, just pay your people better.
Flight attendants should not be arguing with bozo passengers. Inform the pilot and if on the ground the gate agent. They can decide what action to take, including the plane being met by the police.
Ah, the chain of command. ‘Until we get on the ground, everyone’s on their own.’ Hope that there aren’t any bozos on your flights. Phew!
I can’t blame them for that.