Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
A couple months ago a purser mentioned to me that, effective May 1, 2012, the inflight translators were being eliminated from TPAC and intraAsian flights (I don't think they've ever been used on TATL). Their roles will be taken over by official language-of-destination FAs. Has anyone seen how this is working? I presume part of the change is that the newly reconfigured language specialists will perform more general FA duties, without it being a separate position and distinct role as the translators were.
The translators were the original NW Asian cabin crew, AFAIK starting with the Japanese FAs who changed into kimonos, at least in FC, made announcements, served tea, welcomed Asian passengers, and frequently took meal orders in FC and WBC. They worked hard; I frequently noticed them tidying the FC and WBC restrooms after each use in addition to all the bowing and smiling. Sometimes the translators and more generally Asian flight attendants were treated badly by the USA-based cabin crew, who resented the loss of attractive flight assignments to the (IIRC nonunionized) Asian nationals based in Asia who worked for lower salaries. The Japanese FAs were happy when kimonos were eliminated and replaced by regular FA uniforms. My most recent TPAC had a fifty-ish male translator in BE who has worked for NW/DL for decades.
Does anyone know whether the Asian translators were generally offered new positions as language of destination specialists or more generally Asian-based FAs?
The Translators were separate from the FAs. They were Tokyo based and not FAs. NWA used them for years. Delta on the other hand chose not to continue with the Translator program. They are using FAs who language qualified. LQs are FAs on the seniority list. The original Translators were not. The LQs are paid additional money and don't follow the seniority list.
Yes, we had some nasty senior FAs who treated the Translators badly. That wasn't the general operating procedure. I never treated the Translators or Asian FAs (south girls) badly. Why would I? They were/are an asset that helped the flight go smoother. On layovers, (south of NRT) the south girls always invited me to go out to dinner with them. We had a ball! They would take me shopping to all the "right" places and the best restaurants.
NWA also had TATL Translators who spoke the language of destination. We loved these ladies. We often didn't get to socialize, because they had to hop a flight back to LGW to file their reports.
I don't know what what happened to the Translators. Some may have found other positions within the company. Past experience has lead me to believe that most are separated from the company.