Job Title: Flight Attendant
Location: Arlington, Virginia
Submitted on: 25-Mar-04
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Workplace
Survey |
| Flight Attendant |
As a flight attendant I am mainly a customer service representative for
the company with detailed job functions. Those functions include
mainintaining a safe and comfortable environment for our passengers. I
am trained in lifesaving techniques, company policies and procedures and
service. We adhered to a strict uniform at all times while at work.
There is diversity in where one travels and overnights for each trip
flown and there can be diversity with equipment flown from trip to
trip. The trips flown can vary from a one day trip to a four day
trip. For trips lasting more than one day, there will be an overnight
for each day. The hours can range from four to fifteen hours in a day
depending how many flight segments are scheduled. One may fly from one
to eight flights a day. There is a two tier pay scale for this
position. Once one completes five years, he or she advances to what is
known as "A Scale". The former is known as "B Scale". Seniority is the
most important factor with this position as it dictates one's ability to
obtain the schedule one desires. With the start of this position I was
able to work just fifteen days a month, sometimes less. However with
industry changes and the events of September 11, 2001 many cut backs
have been made with regard to salary and amount of hours worked. For
the same pay, I now work approximately 24 days a month. There is no
room for advancement with this position, however job openings within the
company are posted for all to apply. Most positions offer less pay than
what a flight attendant can earn and have less flexible schedules.
Therefore the flight attendant position is more appealing. If one has
the desired previous experience of management, advancement into a
management position is possible, but not in todays market. Our airline
is laying off employess rather than hiring. As a flight attendant, I
belong to a union. This is not by choice, however I feel that
conditions would be much more dire without their assistance. There is
much conflict currently between management and the union as management
refuses to adhere to the flight attendants contractual rights. At
present there are numerous grievances under review with many being taken
to arbitration. At present, unless one works for an airline that is
posting quarterly profits, the position of a flight attendant is a less
desireable one than what the general public thinks. Many of the perks
once had are no longer available to us.
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