A little over a week ago, we learned how United flight attendants have a new tentative agreement, which is long overdue. The full details of the new contract have just been published, so we now know everything that it includes. I think the contract looks pretty great, though based on what I’m seeing online, many flight attendants disagree, and are disappointed.
In this post:
United & AFA reach tentative agreement on new contract
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) and United Airlines have announced that they’ve reached a “historic agreement” on a new contract for 28,000 flight attendants. The union states that the agreement includes the following:
- Industry leading compensation
- Industry leading retro pay
- Hotel, scheduling, reserve, and other quality of life improvements
- In the first year alone, flight attendants will gain 40% of total economic improvements
Locally elected union leaders met on May 29 and May 30, 2025, to review the full details. The expectation is that the membership will vote on the new contract between July 7 and July 29, 2025, and then results will be announced the same day. If approved, the new contract will go into effect as of the following day, July 30, 2025.
In recent years, we’ve seen labor groups at most major US airlines score huge pay increases. Pilot contracts were negotiated first, followed by flight attendant contracts. This was intended to reflect the increased cost of living, plus the good performance of most carriers at the time.
We’ve seen flight attendants at Southwest, American, and Alaska, all ratify new contracts, in that order (Delta flight attendants also got raises, but aren’t unionized… for now). Negotiations at United have been most drawn out, and United flight attendants have now been with an amendable contract for nearly four years.
So I’m happy that flight attendants are finally looking at some significant pay increases, as they deserve them. Obviously the lack of a contract has caused quite some tension between management and the union, with roughly a dozen flight attendants even recently storming a media event to express their displeasure at the state of things.
United’s financial performance has improved nicely in recent years, as the carrier increasingly moves into Delta’s league, rather than being in American’s league. For the past couple of years, one major cost advantage that United has had is with labor costs.
One would assume this contract will cost at least somewhere around $1 billion per year incrementally, and that says nothing of the retro pay that flight attendants are going to get. So I’m curious to see what this means for United’s bottom line.
Details of the new United flight attendant contract
The full details of the tentative agreement for United flight attendants has just been published, as first flagged by @xJonNYC. So, how much of a pay raise are flight attendants looking at with the new contract? You can find the new pay chart below.
Flight attendants are getting huge raises immediately (an average of a 26.9% increase on the date of signing), then an additional 3% pay raise in each of the first and second year, a 3.5% pay raise in the third year, and a 3.75% pay raise in the fourth year. For example:
- As of the date of signing, first year flight attendants will go from earning $28.88 per hour, to earning $36.92 per hour (28% raise), while 13th year flight attendants will go from earning $67.11 per hour, to earning $84.78 per hour (26% raise)
- Four years after the contract is signed, first year flight attendants will go from earning $28.88 per hour, to earning $42.06 per hour (46% raises), while 13th year flight attendants will go from earning $67.11 per hour, to earning $96.58 per hour (44% raises)
- The union points out how over the course of five years, many ranks of flight attendants will be looking at 93-127% raises, but that reflects a combination of increased seniority plus pay increases, and assumes one isn’t already maxed out, in the 13+ year category
For example, the pay rates slightly exceed those that we’ve just seen as part of the new contract that was ratified at American.
The new contract also includes boarding pay, whereby flight attendants will be paid at half the standard hourly rate during boarding. This is something that was rare in the past, but is now becoming an industry norm (as it should be).
The tentative agreement also includes $595 million in retro pay. This includes 4% of eligible pay for the last four months of 2021, 2022, and 2023, 14% of eligible pay for 2024, and 25% of eligible pay for the first seven months of 2025.
The new contract also includes other improvements, like increased pay for language qualified flight attendants (from $2.50 to $3.75 per hour), increased pay for international pursers (from $7.50 to $10 per hour), and increased per diem (in the range of 22-24%). The union will also have more say in selecting layover hotels, and crew meals on long haul flights will be upgraded, to be in line with Polaris business class meals.
Based on what I’m seeing online, it would appear that the initial reaction from many flight attendants is negative, as they were apparently expecting even more. As one flight attendant explains:
“Honestly, it’s not going over well. The pay lines up with Delta’s for the first five years, and a lot of FAs don’t think that counts as ‘industry leading’ after years of negotiation. People are pretty frustrated with AFA, especially towards the MEC pres and Sara Nelson. There’s a huge chance this will be voted down.”
Bottom line
United flight attendants and management have reached a new tentative agreement. The agreement includes huge pay increases, retro pay, and other improvements with hotels, scheduling, and reserve. We now have the full details of the new contract, and it looks really lucrative, with huge hourly pay raises, boarding pay, and other improvements.
I’m happy for United flight attendants, as the pay for junior flight attendants really has been so low that it’s hard to make ends meet. It’s going to be interesting to see if this new contract gets ratified or not, given that some flight attendants apparently aren’t so happy about this agreement.
What do you make of United flight attendants finally having a tentative agreement?
United boarded 174 million people last year and made $3.1 BILLION dollars. The FAs wages in 2015 adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars - are just 80 cents (offered in TA) less than an inflation adjusted wage. Profit sharing was reduced in 2016 by 5% for half of the work group. The overrides have not been adjusted for inflation. There have been no pay raises since 2021. The staffing has been reduced on most aircraft...
United boarded 174 million people last year and made $3.1 BILLION dollars. The FAs wages in 2015 adjusted for inflation to 2025 dollars - are just 80 cents (offered in TA) less than an inflation adjusted wage. Profit sharing was reduced in 2016 by 5% for half of the work group. The overrides have not been adjusted for inflation. There have been no pay raises since 2021. The staffing has been reduced on most aircraft since 2015 down to minimum staffing. So, increased work due to reduced staffing. No inflation adjustments in the overrides. Only an inflation adjusted wage is being offered (less 5% for profit sharing). You have to purchase your own luggage now (instead of replacement every 3 years). Copayments to health care increased. Why do you think the FAs are saying "NO"? Raise the airfare $4.50 a person, and you generate an additional $870 million - way more than enough to pay for a REAL improvement in pay and quality of life. The passenger will never even notice.
The article tells all the selling points of this contract from union management’s point of view and if ratified this will surely be trumpeted by United corporate. The story is incomplete though as there’s not much detail about the contract’s opposition. If so many FAs aren’t happy with it, we should hear their side.
In which under industry (health care, public transportation, hospitality, retail, even tech...) have we seen remotely that kind of raise, despite customer engagements and focus on safety (in many)?
Over here we've seen 1-2% annually, maybe, for roles with significantly higher education requirements.
On the other hand, United keep devaluating their frequent flyer program again and again.
Where are United's priorities? (IMO should be equally on employees and customers, whereas it feels heavily skewed...
In which under industry (health care, public transportation, hospitality, retail, even tech...) have we seen remotely that kind of raise, despite customer engagements and focus on safety (in many)?
Over here we've seen 1-2% annually, maybe, for roles with significantly higher education requirements.
On the other hand, United keep devaluating their frequent flyer program again and again.
Where are United's priorities? (IMO should be equally on employees and customers, whereas it feels heavily skewed towards the former these days?)
There are more bad areas of this contract. For example, if a Flight Attendant does not work the stipulated 480 hrs per year, they will be dropped from their insurance. This TA is an insult to the hard working safety specialists they are. There are so many negative aspects to this TA, it is doubtful it will pass.
You forgot to mention that there are exceptions to this rule for leaves of absence, FMLA, COLAs, and extended sick time off. So no, you would never lose your insurance if you actually have a valid reason to be off work. We had this at Continental and no one thought it was a problem. This stipulation is simply preventing abuse of the system and company assets, like the FAs who go months or years without...
You forgot to mention that there are exceptions to this rule for leaves of absence, FMLA, COLAs, and extended sick time off. So no, you would never lose your insurance if you actually have a valid reason to be off work. We had this at Continental and no one thought it was a problem. This stipulation is simply preventing abuse of the system and company assets, like the FAs who go months or years without working simply for the benefits. You have to show up to work, at least part time, to receive the benefits of working there. No other company would hand out health or insurance benefits to employees who don’t ever go to work. You have to give some work to the company to get some benefits in return. It’s a yes from me!
As a United FA, I think the contract is fair and I will vote yes. Some of my colleagues are asking for way too much… they want more per diem than even the pilots get… and they want “ground pay” which is unnecessary and unheard of in the airline industry (our hourly pay rate is inflated to cover this type of thing already, and pilots do not even get “ground pay”).
My reto check...
As a United FA, I think the contract is fair and I will vote yes. Some of my colleagues are asking for way too much… they want more per diem than even the pilots get… and they want “ground pay” which is unnecessary and unheard of in the airline industry (our hourly pay rate is inflated to cover this type of thing already, and pilots do not even get “ground pay”).
My reto check alone will be with over $30K, so I’m happy. Many of the coworkers of mine who think that $84 per hour isn’t enough are the same ones who disappear after the service and play on their phones for the rest of the flight. I think $84 per hour is about as fair as it can get.
Ridiculous..this must have been written from management!
I’m with you on that . I’ll be voting yes.
$100K a year plus for 13 years on the job? That is really good pay for a job that doesn’t require a technical skill or a college degree, and is far fewer hours than most other jobs in that pay range.
Where else are FAs going to make that kind of money, with those few hours, without a degree or trade cert required? I know FAs will counter with “we are away from home,...
$100K a year plus for 13 years on the job? That is really good pay for a job that doesn’t require a technical skill or a college degree, and is far fewer hours than most other jobs in that pay range.
Where else are FAs going to make that kind of money, with those few hours, without a degree or trade cert required? I know FAs will counter with “we are away from home, commuting time, etc, etc.” But they get PD for being away from home and where they live is a choice that most other workers don’t get.
If you don’t like the pay, you can always vote with your feet.
yes, the flight attendant job doesnt require a college degree but what it DEMANDS is strong communication skills, problem solving skills, first aid and life support skills, and the ability to put others best interest ahead of your own. Good Leads the Way.
And in 13 years 100k won’t be anything to write home about. It’s always interesting to hear people complain about FAs on or off the plane. They would likely be the passengers that make this job seem underpaid.
A lot of this is surely being forecasted into future EBITA. However, I used to be a Director O F Operations for a large healthcare company. My staff would have been throwing a party if they would have received these types raises and benefits. You're always going to have a percentage that will not be happy and just how things are no matter what. In the end, I do think the vote will pass and...
A lot of this is surely being forecasted into future EBITA. However, I used to be a Director O F Operations for a large healthcare company. My staff would have been throwing a party if they would have received these types raises and benefits. You're always going to have a percentage that will not be happy and just how things are no matter what. In the end, I do think the vote will pass and this chapter can be closed. What's frustrating is that some FA's don't seem to understand that if they press for even larger raises then when do they go when they reach the top? The next contract wouldn't be nearly as generous if the company goes all in this time, I would assume.
Going to have a significant impact on UA's bottom line. Those higher labor costs can't be passed onto fares.
To all the people who are saying “well how much are our fares going to go up” I’m curious when you get a raise or bonus at your work do you complain that YOUR company is going to have to raise prices for your customers?
My "merit" raise last year was 1.7% and I was told I was in the higher end and that the mean was around 1%. Compare that to 25% plus percent raises. And my company's line of business probably has more flexibility in pricing. They do not need to be worried about seats going empty as the bottom of the market would back to what most Americans did in the 1970s. Drive to their family vacation destination.
I am very much on the FA’s side, but think they would be fools to vote this down
As a current FA at United, I’m so happy. The things I wanted most were Delta pay scales (or better), retro pay, and no PBS. We got 3 out of 3, so it’s a yes from me. And they added a holiday, we get boarding pay, per diem went up to the same as pilots, and International Purser pay and and language pay is up too. It’s wins all around. You have to look at...
As a current FA at United, I’m so happy. The things I wanted most were Delta pay scales (or better), retro pay, and no PBS. We got 3 out of 3, so it’s a yes from me. And they added a holiday, we get boarding pay, per diem went up to the same as pilots, and International Purser pay and and language pay is up too. It’s wins all around. You have to look at the industry and realize that some things that flight attendants ask for, like ground pay and duty rigs, are very unrealistic and would hurt the airline’s bottom line. We would never get those things. We did well in this contact guys.
It’s a no from me. Couldn’t even match AA sit rig. I don’t need to be paid for all my time on the ground, but for the love of god, we need some kind of disincentive to keep the company from making these pairings with 3:45 sits!!!! It’s outrageous and a testament to how much they could care less about FAs when we know for a fact they could schedule more efficiently
Those rigs are why AA doesn't make the same amouny of money as UA and DL. Rigs cost the company a lot of money, and it was likely determined in the negotiation that FAs in general would rather have a higher pay rate without rigs, than a lower pay rate with rigs. It's extremely inefficient to put those kind of rigs in, and Kirby said that no matter what he does, he won't allow inefficiencies...
Those rigs are why AA doesn't make the same amouny of money as UA and DL. Rigs cost the company a lot of money, and it was likely determined in the negotiation that FAs in general would rather have a higher pay rate without rigs, than a lower pay rate with rigs. It's extremely inefficient to put those kind of rigs in, and Kirby said that no matter what he does, he won't allow inefficiencies like that. I myself want a higher pay rate, instead of rigs. We're better to take this contract and run with it before any recession, and risk making even LESS money. It's a YES from me!
You’re probably already living paycheck to paycheck by living beyond your means and now you want to say no to the TA. How foolish! . Sad how so many Flight attendants flying 30 plus years and still can’t rub two nickels together. Shame on your for poor financial decisions.
Amen
Reminds me of the 1970's when unions baked inflation into the cake. Airfares will rise, but instead of profits booming companies will be Zooming. Leisure travel by air will fall out of the sky although the non-air alternatives will float along. Remember when was the last time your raise was over 20%? Chances are rising that inflation will go stag to the party.
remember that other airlines have new FA contracts, or in the case of DL's FAs which are not unionized, DL raised their pay in steps a long time ago.
It is not industry fares that will increase because UA alone cannot do that; it is UA profits that will fall because other airlines already have those costs.
It is more insightful the comments from UA FAs below how far this contract falls short.
They...
remember that other airlines have new FA contracts, or in the case of DL's FAs which are not unionized, DL raised their pay in steps a long time ago.
It is not industry fares that will increase because UA alone cannot do that; it is UA profits that will fall because other airlines already have those costs.
It is more insightful the comments from UA FAs below how far this contract falls short.
They are messing w/ fire if they shoot it down but if the comments are true and widely believed, it will further amplify that the AFA accomplished much less than they advertise.
UA just wants to settle the issue, doesn't want any FA public media disasters like the Polaris 2 rollout, and they will extract a pound of flesh in QOL and other protections for the new pay and retro it will dole out.
and, as much as some want to tell you that these costs are already baked into UA's earnings forecast, companies cannot include retro and other one-time payments into earnings forecast unless they specifically note they are one-time costs.
UA's earnings in 2025 will take a big hit and they would rather it be because of the new FA contract than for the revenue losses that will hit EWR esp. in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
and, let's not forget, they have to cough up money for the mechanics/technicians. not as many employees but it could get just as messy if UA doesn't sign on the dotted line pretty soon
Two weeks from today, we will learn if the UA FA’s have earned their new pay scales. The airline World Rankings will be announced at the Paris Air Show …. will that announcement make it into the OMAAT blog?
This must be the 6th time you've mentioned the World Rankings recently, Aero. Do you work there?
No Ronnie, my masters are not those who you might think.
Thank you for noticing how many times I choose to windup those who poo-poo the SkyTrax World Airline Rankings on this website. One finds the rankings very useful for choosing which airlines I will spend my ‘hard-earned’ to travel on. However, it is also enlightening to read all about those carriers one should avoid …. the lowly rated American “Big Three” for instance …. don’t you agree? …. :-)
I thought we were all avoiding LH and AI this month? :)
Ronnie, one is primarily here to learn more about the commercial airline industry, this being in preparation for my final retirement in a few days time. As an entertainment one also likes to engage with some of those who deserve a little fun poked at them too. Not forgetting those who are extremely rude for making wild statements, etc, but chose not to justify their opinions. One would much rather be insulted than ignored, don’t you know!
Ah, retirement. Sigh. I'm not there yet. Enjoy it, you lucky bugger :)
A confession Ronnie, this will be my forth ‘retirement’ …. twice I failed to become a civilian, the I failed again after a decade as an MoD CS, finally I am being shown the door, exactly 60yrs after being expelled from further education. I am looking forward to flying for my pleasure from now on.
let's see if you are still happy if the ticket prices are going up by 10-20% :-)
The well known saying is: “Pay peanuts, get monkeys”, might well apply here. Please do not, for one second, run away with the idea that I am comparing FA’s with monkeys …. it is just old words of wisdom.
They really need to get rid of this seniority nonsense.
Honestly, it's not going over well. The pay lines up with Delta's for the first five years, and a lot of FAs don’t think that counts as "industry leading" after years of negotiation. People are pretty frustrated with AFA, especially towards the MEC pres and Sara Nelson. There's a huge chance this will be voted down.
Well, I love the proposal. Retro, base paythat matches Delta, same per diem as the pilots, no more layovers in Woking or Bad Hamburg, no PBS, 50%. boarding pay… what else could you possibly want that would be within reason? We literally got everything we asked for. As long as there is no significant concessions in work rules or duty day time, I’m all in. Even if the scheduling section is the same as it...
Well, I love the proposal. Retro, base paythat matches Delta, same per diem as the pilots, no more layovers in Woking or Bad Hamburg, no PBS, 50%. boarding pay… what else could you possibly want that would be within reason? We literally got everything we asked for. As long as there is no significant concessions in work rules or duty day time, I’m all in. Even if the scheduling section is the same as it is now, the pay and reto make up for it. I am very happy with the current contract, and would love the pay increase!
Well said! It’s good to see positive feedback from a UA FA! My old company would have preferred to lay off half the head count rather than provide these type of wages and benefits. They wanted the highest productivity for maybe a 2% raise.
"Seniority" is such a grift.
And you're perfectly happy never getting a raise from your employer I presume?
The industry I worked in paid individually negotiated salaries and awarded bonuses based on both team and individual performance. It was entirely possible that someone in their third year of the game made a higher quarterly bonus than someone in their twentieth.
VOTE YES! and that’s that. It’s taken me 29 years to get what newbies will have in 13, cry me a river. Learn a language become a pursor, $13 a hour more increase your skill level
No way these senior sky waitresses with no performance incentives need to be paid $95 an hour.
Sadly, numbers aren’t everything. United management has taken every opportunity under the current contract to remove quality-of-life provisions for their flight attendants. We’ve almost entirely lost our trading flexibility, our hotel accommodations have deteriorated, and United regularly builds over three hours of consecutive sit time into our workdays—time spent sitting around the airport without compensation.
I haven’t even mentioned that United has the most antiquated reserve system in the industry. I’m currently on a three-day...
Sadly, numbers aren’t everything. United management has taken every opportunity under the current contract to remove quality-of-life provisions for their flight attendants. We’ve almost entirely lost our trading flexibility, our hotel accommodations have deteriorated, and United regularly builds over three hours of consecutive sit time into our workdays—time spent sitting around the airport without compensation.
I haven’t even mentioned that United has the most antiquated reserve system in the industry. I’m currently on a three-day trip worth just 11 hours of flight time. For three days away from home, I should be earning at least five hours of flight credit per day—but that isn’t the case.
While the pay scale may appear industry-leading on paper, it’s only about $1.78 more than Delta’s top-out rate—and Delta flight attendants have been receiving boarding pay for months. So far, I would say United is merely offering the industry standard, and I’m not convinced that will be enough to ratify the new contract.
I also suspect that United’s recent hiring surge for flight attendants may, in part, be an attempt to skew the vote in the company’s favor. Many of United’s newer flight attendants are barely surviving on the current pay—some even qualify for food stamps—so they may be desperate enough to accept anything that offers a slight financial boost.
I pray that the full text of the proposed contract provides more clarity and hope… I suppose time will tell.
Then go work somewhere else; no one is holding you hostage.
Can't wait to see how much ticket prices are going to go up now... And everyone complains about inflation...
I don’t agree with this. We saw pilots receive a 44% pay increase @ United with many other benefits, and yet fares have remained competitive over the landscape.
Southwest’s formulary pay scale was higher and yet fares have remained competitive.
thanks for the payscales, Ben.
I am sure that the AFA didn't get everything but these are big numbers.
UA will be shelling out some cash including some healthy retro.
On top of the EWR revenue decreases, UA will be lowering its earnings.
I am sure that UA decided to take the hit on labor costs at the same time as the EWR revenue disaster so the can blame it all on the FAs.
a more extensive summary taken from the AFA's site
High level overview:
-26.9% average pay increase at date of signing
-50% boarding pay
-Retro pay which goes back to 2021, at 4%, 4%, 4%, 14%, and 25%
-Additional holiday, to 6 total (Halloween)
-Per Diem matches ours
-10 weeks paid maternity leave, 2 weeks paid parental and adoption leave
-401(k) increased from 8 to 9%
-No PBS
...
a more extensive summary taken from the AFA's site
High level overview:
-26.9% average pay increase at date of signing
-50% boarding pay
-Retro pay which goes back to 2021, at 4%, 4%, 4%, 14%, and 25%
-Additional holiday, to 6 total (Halloween)
-Per Diem matches ours
-10 weeks paid maternity leave, 2 weeks paid parental and adoption leave
-401(k) increased from 8 to 9%
-No PBS
-Out of base trades available at 8PM for that base the day prior, improved from 14 hours (not sure what happens if the trip you're trying to trade into leaves before 10 am, which would be 14 hours from 8 PM)
-More union access/transparency for pool numbers
-Reduced Max Duty day length from 11.5 to 11 hours with a redeye
-14-hour reserve availability periods (RAPs), assigned at 3 PM the day before
-Reduced downtown layover length from 19 to 17 hours and eliminated "downtown-like" verbiage
-Ability to preorder crew meals
Pay will be equivalent to Delta and above all others. Highest retro formula across any labor group. Date of signing would be 7/30/25 so a full 7 months retro at 25% is pretty solid.
Nope there were concessions , less per diem than Delta, no sit rigs like AA, barely increased 401K, starting pay not more than Delta. No penalty pay for contract violations. The AFA refusing to deliver us the Tentative Agreement for us to read. You’re going to be hearing many no’s. Go back to the table!!!!!!!!!
Fellow FA here. Yeah, but honestly those things aren’t reasonable requests for a company with 28,000 flight attendants. No amount of bargaining is going to get us pensions back, ground pay, or money for contract violations. It’s just not going to happen. I’m very very happy with what we have seen with the proposal. Over the moon, actually. They ticked all my boxes: boarding pay, reto, Delta pay rates, and pilot per diem. … I...
Fellow FA here. Yeah, but honestly those things aren’t reasonable requests for a company with 28,000 flight attendants. No amount of bargaining is going to get us pensions back, ground pay, or money for contract violations. It’s just not going to happen. I’m very very happy with what we have seen with the proposal. Over the moon, actually. They ticked all my boxes: boarding pay, reto, Delta pay rates, and pilot per diem. … I mean seriously, they’re not going to give us more per diem than they give the pilots… we have to be real.
The rigs that AA has are why they have a lower pay rate than us. I'd rather have the higher pay. So far this TA looks fantastic to me. Maybe if we gave up our bid packet bidding, and went with PBS, the company would have given us better rigs, but we were adamant that we didn't want PBS. We can't have everything, and the company can't afford to give us everything either. They do...
The rigs that AA has are why they have a lower pay rate than us. I'd rather have the higher pay. So far this TA looks fantastic to me. Maybe if we gave up our bid packet bidding, and went with PBS, the company would have given us better rigs, but we were adamant that we didn't want PBS. We can't have everything, and the company can't afford to give us everything either. They do have a business to run after all. Overall, this is a very well rounded TA, in my opinion as a 25 year UA/CO FA. My reto alone is worth over 30K.
This TA will pass with flying colors …the things we didn’t get are not deal breakers for most of us . The raise and retro are adequate in industry comparison and what I was hoping for . An important thing to note is United flight attendants are comprised of both Continental Airlines and legacy United flight attendants . The latter lost their pensions when United filed bankruptcy . Continental flight attendants still have their pre...
This TA will pass with flying colors …the things we didn’t get are not deal breakers for most of us . The raise and retro are adequate in industry comparison and what I was hoping for . An important thing to note is United flight attendants are comprised of both Continental Airlines and legacy United flight attendants . The latter lost their pensions when United filed bankruptcy . Continental flight attendants still have their pre merger pensions and thus are not as disgruntled and out to nickel and dime the company with unreasonable requests. This is the bottom line in my humble 30 plus years of flying opinion.
The question posed to the readers is what we make of this.
I object to the title of the article. It is not good.
The pay for those over 10 years seniority should be cut, not raised. There are instances where the federal government cuts others' pay.
Those under 10 years seniority should receive a pay increase. Those over 10 years should get a pay cut. They don't offer better service.
An interesting post derek, how do you justify your thought process please? Just wondering if I am missing something … :-)
Huh? This doesn’t make any sense at all. What about people in other professions that have years of service behind them? Do you cut their pay to make way for new hires and pay them more? You see, that type of thinking is why we have companies that push out older workers for less experienced lower paid workers. Let us know when that happens to you in your later years. SMH!
How is United going to afford this ??
They have the money
Wonder how much ticket prices will increase now to make up for the new "industry leading compensation" labor costs???
LF19 …. From a rank outsiders perspective, after reading various articles on the subject, etc, it would appear that the American flying customers are simply getting what they are willing to pay for. The well known saying is: “Pay peanuts, get monkeys”, might well apply here. Please do not, for one second, run away with the idea that I am comparing FA’s with monkeys …. it is just old words of wisdom.
One has...
LF19 …. From a rank outsiders perspective, after reading various articles on the subject, etc, it would appear that the American flying customers are simply getting what they are willing to pay for. The well known saying is: “Pay peanuts, get monkeys”, might well apply here. Please do not, for one second, run away with the idea that I am comparing FA’s with monkeys …. it is just old words of wisdom.
One has simply deduced that better pay and conditions, could well attract a better quality of FA into the U.S. industry. More contented FA’s could lead to more satisfied customers. However, that customer satisfaction could well mean higher prices for the travelling public.
I have to wonder if the recent protest that got the flight attendants suspended was a staged event gone bad for the protesters. My theory. Union knew they were close/done deal so they had a high profile protest so they could say doing things like this "forced" the company to agree. Setting the stage for future negotiations/tactics with airlines. I could be wrong but....
If the union reached a deal a few days after the stunt that did not include those FAs getting reinstated, that would surprise me. If they were good negotiators they would have insisted that the suspended FAs be featured in the new safety video demonstrating the new seat.
The Flight Attendants were not suspended. None have been issued discipline or lost pay. All are flying now.
They didn't get suspended, that was a false rumor reported on airline blogs. The flight attendants had "union immunity" at the time, as they were recruited and directed to act by AFA. It was in poor taste in my opinion, though. But those FAs were protected.
Chicago these were my thoughts as well. Make the union look powerful when it's a couple years late . Nelson's days will be remembered well as quickly as they will be forgotten.
Was just a long haul flight from Tokyo to Chicago.
At least half the flight attendants where way over 65.
Two of them could barely walk massively overweight with a terrible attitude.
Please make them retire. They are a safety risk and United customer's do not deserve to be treated this way!
From a purely health and safety point of view, your suggestion certainly has legs Jane.
One might observe that elderly, overweight and possibly frail passengers are not allowed to occupy a seat adjacent to an emergency exit. That being the case, how capable of performing effectively in an emergency situation would those elderly FA’s be?
Very similar experience on my last 2 AA long haul flights. The lady I had in my row was so fragile and had massive shakes! I was just waiting for the drinks or food trays to be spilt on me or another passenger. It was really sad to see. They need to retire. I definitely did NOT confident she or 75% of the res of the crew would keep us safe should an emergency happen.
Jane, I get it! We had a frumpy dumpy mean one on United, on our way to New Zealand. The rest of the flight crew was amazing. But that one…….enough said. Find something else to do if it’s no longer fulfilling!
How were you able to verify that "at least half of the flight attendants where way over 65" ?
That sounds like a troublemaker lawyer talking. They probably looked old and acted in a frail manner. They did not do their jobs properly. Too far gone to have ADA accommodation.
Jane, if you’re over 25 and can’t run a marathon, then you’re a safety risk. Please refrain from flying. See Jane Run.
United caused this by dumping their pensions . Sub Continental kept their pensions but United lost theirs . Can you live on 350.00 a month? So fly till you die is the consequence.
Good for the FAs but I can’t imagine that this won’t lead to raised prices, lowered service investments, or even layoffs (and increased inflation). I see it as a very risky move from UA.
Lukas, (thank goodness I picked up Mr Apple’s preference for the letter ‘c’ over ‘k’ or I would have had the pedants after my ‘orchids’ again).
Anyway, from an outsiders point of view, I judged the lack of resolve to be more of a challenge for UA as a business, than this settlement will be. Perhaps that is how the management felt too?
The problem is that the economic models are clear: firms need to maximize contribution margin (revenue minus variable costs). If fixed costs go up or down, this changes net income, but doesn't change prices in the short term. If you are maximizing C/M today at your store and your rent goes up by $1,000/month, you will make $1,000/month less. If you make the mistake of raising your prices (remember, you're already maximizing C/M) C/M goes...
The problem is that the economic models are clear: firms need to maximize contribution margin (revenue minus variable costs). If fixed costs go up or down, this changes net income, but doesn't change prices in the short term. If you are maximizing C/M today at your store and your rent goes up by $1,000/month, you will make $1,000/month less. If you make the mistake of raising your prices (remember, you're already maximizing C/M) C/M goes down and your profits will drop in total by more than $1,000/month. In the long term, if competitors also experience increased fixed costs, one would expect a change in the demand function, leading to higher prices solving your C/M maximization challenge.
Right. What he said.
@E39 Can you even imagine it is taking so long for FAs to get a new contract on a Star Alliance carrier? Hehe, lol.
Good for UA’s FAs. Finally
Onto the mechanics
Come now Tim, you know better than that …. mechanics fix cars, etc, technicians service and repair aircraft, yes? …. :-)
Finally! I hope the terms are agreeable and this chapter can be closed. It’s been too long.
Maybe the crew will start acting like professionals. I know not all are bad apples, but my last two UA short haul flights they could not be bothered to even do a service on a 1 hour flight. Sara Nelson wants them to be treated like
Professionals, but the laziness and attitude from a large group is inexcusable.
Sadly, on my one hour flight on Delta, we didn’t receive service either. Those flights are now only coffee and water. I think if there is turbulence for 15 minutes into a one hour flight, which we experienced, welp there went the time window for service. You can always specifically ring the call button and request something. I did request a coffee and they kindly said, of course, let me get that for you. This...
Sadly, on my one hour flight on Delta, we didn’t receive service either. Those flights are now only coffee and water. I think if there is turbulence for 15 minutes into a one hour flight, which we experienced, welp there went the time window for service. You can always specifically ring the call button and request something. I did request a coffee and they kindly said, of course, let me get that for you. This has happened on United also and my request wasn’t denied, provided the flight deck doesn’t advise FA’s to remain seated.
Due to the short duration of those flights the decision was made to simplify the service. When we offered full service more often than not we could not finish and depending on the weather half the cabin would receive no service at all.
Since they didn't offer a service and had less of a cost for goods, the price was obviously cheaper on those tickets, right?
How will the envious AA trolls react to the U.S’s only premier airline …. that is the question? … :-)
I'd imagine they'll wonder what the hell you're talking (or just assume you're stupid) about since AA already has a new FA contract
Calling United a Premium airline is calling them the prettiest Ogre at a Shrek Convention. It's an oxymoron. Fly foreign flag carriers to see what real premium is
I wonder where all of this revenue is coming from ?
@Steven E it may come from you and other passengers from future ticket price increases as well as other ancillary fee increases.