FAs Flame AA on Private Facebook Page
Oct 25, 2018, 11:01 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2003
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With regard to American Airlines cabin staff specifically, I've been loyal to this airline since 1995. My loyalty is now in question. After several transatlantic flights this year with sub-par service in so-called Business class, I can honestly say my disappointment has reached a new level. My most recent flight (two days ago) one FA could only be described as churlish. Another was clearly out of her element and incapable of doing the job. They all disappeared for several hours. I did see one napping in the galley. Then during the final hour or so of the flight, they all re-appeared and were bright and cheerful. Perhaps they were trying to make amends so as to erase their pathetic efforts earlier. Sorry, if you don't like your job, please find another. Don't treat poorly those of us who pay for the service you are supposed to provide or work out your issues on us.
Ironically, on short flights (1-1.5 hours) inside the USA, I have had excellent service on every single one this year. Every single one.
The newer FA's who have it much harder ... and none of us like the idea of the 737 MAX ... are friendly and cheerful. The FA's working on Skywest, Compass, and Envoy are the best!
But ... the FA's who have the coolest jobs working premium class in the international 777 routes often don't care.
None of this excuses the lack of vision of leadership .... or perhaps the vision we don't like but AA has been investing heavily in international premium products and lounges. There has been a significant improvement in both from a hard product approach. On the soft product approach, the fact that many FA's simply don't follow the procedures and management doesn't seem to care is much of the problem so the FA's should flame themselves.
Oct 25, 2018, 11:19 am
#17
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Maybe the younger FAs should realize there once were days of 2 FAs on an MD80 LGA/ORD doing a Y full meal service. Or transcons that used to get a full meal after take off and then a full snack before landing in Y. Seems to me FAs actually have it easier today than 20 years ago.
Again, like everything today I think this is a loud minority. Most FAs wouldn't trade their jobs to sit at a desk all day and crank out Excel Spreadsheets.
Again, like everything today I think this is a loud minority. Most FAs wouldn't trade their jobs to sit at a desk all day and crank out Excel Spreadsheets.
Oct 25, 2018, 2:04 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 58
On my shorter flights, the FA have all been excellent. My connection after the transatlantic flight was staffed by a single woman in the business section. She was cheerful, eager to please, and did a great job. I told her so, thanked her, too. A kind word is always helpful and free to apply.
I understand the challenges of being an FA. But let's not pretend people are unaware of what this job entails. And as mentioned above, the crew in transatlantic business class typically are not new hires. Seems to me this last bunch had the attitude of "I paid my dues, no I'll coast along." I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. I'm hoping it was just a bad day. But, it wasn't the first time recently. Perhaps just a string of bad luck on my part.
In any case, I feel no reason to remain loyal to companies who take my trade as granted, who inflate away my perks, who have reduced the experience to that of mass transit. Management can't even hire a tech company to get the video screens to consistently operate. They're pathetically slow, wonky, and dim. If management is oblivious to this minor issue, then why should I be loyal?
Safe travels and good luck.
I understand the challenges of being an FA. But let's not pretend people are unaware of what this job entails. And as mentioned above, the crew in transatlantic business class typically are not new hires. Seems to me this last bunch had the attitude of "I paid my dues, no I'll coast along." I could be wrong. I hope I'm wrong. I'm hoping it was just a bad day. But, it wasn't the first time recently. Perhaps just a string of bad luck on my part.
In any case, I feel no reason to remain loyal to companies who take my trade as granted, who inflate away my perks, who have reduced the experience to that of mass transit. Management can't even hire a tech company to get the video screens to consistently operate. They're pathetically slow, wonky, and dim. If management is oblivious to this minor issue, then why should I be loyal?
Safe travels and good luck.
Oct 25, 2018, 2:24 pm
#19
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Posts: 13,913
Sadly the "Wal Mart" effect has spread beyond just retail. The practice of providing cheap prices and not much else. More sad people seem very willing to be treated like cattle for the opportunity to save a few bucks, and this is not changing anytime soon. The ironic thing is that the original LCC WN is slowly becoming top of the line in several respects.
Oct 25, 2018, 6:25 pm
#20
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: MIA
Programs: AA EXP (AC), DL G (SC), Bonvoy LTP, & IHG AMB
Posts: 1,798
None of this excuses the lack of vision of leadership .... or perhaps the vision we don't like but AA has been investing heavily in international premium products and lounges. There has been a significant improvement in both from a hard product approach. On the soft product approach, the fact that many FA's simply don't follow the procedures and management doesn't seem to care is much of the problem so the FA's should flame themselves.
Oct 25, 2018, 7:53 pm
#21
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
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My most recent flight (two days ago) one FA could only be described as churlish. Another was clearly out of her element and incapable of doing the job. They all disappeared for several hours. I did see one napping in the galley. Then during the final hour or so of the flight, they all re-appeared and were bright and cheerful. Perhaps they were trying to make amends so as to erase their pathetic efforts earlier. Sorry, if you don't like your job, please find another. Don't treat poorly those of us who pay for the service you are supposed to provide or work out your issues on us.
Oct 25, 2018, 10:14 pm
#22
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Join Date: May 2004
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Maybe at some point in their past they had, but certainly not after deregulation, and that was well before 1995.
I have a business relationship with AA. I have lifetime status because I concentrated on AA and its partners to get the benefits of being a frequent flyer, but that was purely a choice made for the benefits.
Now, I am more flexible with travel. If WN flies to a destination with a lower price, that certainly is a consideration, especially if all of the aisle MCE seats on the AA alternatives
Due to having been stuck next to pets.... I mean ESAs, I now fly in the exit row when possible.
Oct 25, 2018, 10:18 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Portland OR
Programs: United 1K 1MM, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum, Hilton HHonors Gold
Posts: 560
United flier here.
This sounds exactly what it was like flying UA until 3 years ago. The airline lost the mindshare of its employees and it filtered out to surly service and a terrible operation.
But UA has turned the corner. They ousted the CEO in 2015 and brought in Oscar Munoz who knew next to nothing about airlines but - as a railroad/train guy - a lot about dealing with unions. And he’s a people guy and has restored the employees’ confidence and belief. Couple that with hiring a #2 that does know how to run an airline (you know who) and UA is starting to soar again. And that #2 (Kirby) is doing a great job running the operation while his arrogance is being kept in check by Munoz. The result, better service all round, a better operation so much less to complain about, and overall a much better airline.
AA may have to start fixing this using the second sentence of the previous paragraph. It can be done though it’ll take time and the right people. Good luck.
This sounds exactly what it was like flying UA until 3 years ago. The airline lost the mindshare of its employees and it filtered out to surly service and a terrible operation.
But UA has turned the corner. They ousted the CEO in 2015 and brought in Oscar Munoz who knew next to nothing about airlines but - as a railroad/train guy - a lot about dealing with unions. And he’s a people guy and has restored the employees’ confidence and belief. Couple that with hiring a #2 that does know how to run an airline (you know who) and UA is starting to soar again. And that #2 (Kirby) is doing a great job running the operation while his arrogance is being kept in check by Munoz. The result, better service all round, a better operation so much less to complain about, and overall a much better airline.
AA may have to start fixing this using the second sentence of the previous paragraph. It can be done though it’ll take time and the right people. Good luck.
Oct 25, 2018, 11:00 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: SEA/ORD/ADB
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The airline industry is heavily subsidized on many levels making it a 'socialist' type enterprise as opposed to 'capitalist.' Airports are subsidized, aircraft mfg is supported with tax breaks for companies in various jurisdictions, and the list of other "socialized" costs is long and varied. With regards to making money, airlines are a terrible investment. Take away the subsidies and hidden supports and the whole system would be in shambles.
Any time you want to support my business ventures with taxpayer money, comrade, please advise. Thank you and good day.
Any time you want to support my business ventures with taxpayer money, comrade, please advise. Thank you and good day.
There's no doubt that if the government stopped supporting aviation, the industry would fall apart. However, looking at the aviation industry in isolation overlooks the broader point - the success of the economy as a whole is reliant on robust transportation and communication links.
Oct 25, 2018, 11:41 pm
#25
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: RNO
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Posts: 10,775
You're kidding, right? Comrade? Comrade?
Capitalism allows enthusiastic investors to demonstrate belief in a business plan by funding it. There's heavy institutional ownership of U.S. airlines and Honeywell, GE, UTX... at this point. These investors are not naive nor uninformed.
U.S. airlines have been making pretty good money for the last five years. Margins aren't uniform but decently-run carriers are surely covering their cost of capital. That is one definition of financial sustainability.
Fewer flights/seats might make the (very few) capacity-constrained U.S. airports more operationally efficient. The other 400 airports with scheduled passenger service don't really have a problem. Fewer flights/seats would surely drive up prices. Why do prices need to be higher when carriers are making good profits?
Capitalism allows enthusiastic investors to demonstrate belief in a business plan by funding it. There's heavy institutional ownership of U.S. airlines and Honeywell, GE, UTX... at this point. These investors are not naive nor uninformed.
U.S. airlines have been making pretty good money for the last five years. Margins aren't uniform but decently-run carriers are surely covering their cost of capital. That is one definition of financial sustainability.
Fewer flights/seats might make the (very few) capacity-constrained U.S. airports more operationally efficient. The other 400 airports with scheduled passenger service don't really have a problem. Fewer flights/seats would surely drive up prices. Why do prices need to be higher when carriers are making good profits?
Oct 26, 2018, 7:57 am
#26
Join Date: May 1998
Posts: 6,790
That was precisely what Warren Buffett said a while back. Yet now he's (or rather Berkshire Hathaway is) a major stockholder in one of the three legacy airlines (United, I think). I wonder what made him change his mind, whether it was just uninvested money burning a hole in his pocket, or a change of some sort to the perceived profitability of airlines.
Oct 26, 2018, 8:45 am
#27
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond, Owner of 2,000 TWA shares
Posts: 812
That was precisely what Warren Buffett said a while back. Yet now he's (or rather Berkshire Hathaway is) a major stockholder in one of the three legacy airlines (United, I think). I wonder what made him change his mind, whether it was just uninvested money burning a hole in his pocket, or a change of some sort to the perceived profitability of airlines.
Oct 26, 2018, 9:44 am
#28
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,433
Mergers have reduced competition, which gives the airlines more market power, both against customers and employees. Meaningful antitrust enforcement would not have let this happen.
Conventional wisdom is that customers only care about price, at least in coach. If so, and combined with a lack of real competition and high barriers to entry, why should airlines work to have better service, larger seats, etc.?
Conventional wisdom is that customers only care about price, at least in coach. If so, and combined with a lack of real competition and high barriers to entry, why should airlines work to have better service, larger seats, etc.?
Oct 26, 2018, 9:46 am
#29
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Programs: AAdvantage PP
Posts: 13,913
One thing I can say that after more than 37 years in the corporate world I often yearn for a job to be free of onsite supervisors and office politics. Sometimes I look at FAs with envy. They're job may not be perfect nor pay all that much buts its free of office games.
Oct 26, 2018, 9:57 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: TX
Programs: AA: EXP MR: Ti
Posts: 495
One thing I can say that after more than 37 years in the corporate world I often yearn for a job to be free of onsite supervisors and office politics. Sometimes I look at FAs with envy. They're job may not be perfect nor pay all that much but its free of office games.