Why do AA Flight Crews Travel with so much Luggage?
Mar 25, 2019, 12:45 pm
#18
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Certainly Australia-based crew routinely bring large suitcases (that they check) for shopping on trips to the US, at least when the exchange rate is favorable. But that’s a bit of a different kettle of fish: because their airlines don’t operate other flights to/from North America and the flight is (much much) too long to allow them to be immediately reassigned to another flight without time to claim checked bags, they have the luxury of being less flexible than people crewing flights within North America.
For crews within North America, the requirement to be dressed professionally for a trip of unknown duration to climates ranging from MSP to MIA and with potential changes on zero notice gives me considerable sympathy. I’d much rather have an FA taking three passengers’ space in the overhead bin who is ready to crew my flight to wherever at a moment’s notice than have a flight delayed or cancelled because there’s no available crew with the right clothing/passport/etc.
For crews within North America, the requirement to be dressed professionally for a trip of unknown duration to climates ranging from MSP to MIA and with potential changes on zero notice gives me considerable sympathy. I’d much rather have an FA taking three passengers’ space in the overhead bin who is ready to crew my flight to wherever at a moment’s notice than have a flight delayed or cancelled because there’s no available crew with the right clothing/passport/etc.
Mar 25, 2019, 3:39 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 1,285
Honest question.....I’m watching the same crew I had to Maui board with 3-4 different bags each (not to mention obvious flowers and items they’ve picked up while here)....some garment bags like they’re going to a ball.
I have just a backpack for the same destination.
What on earth do you need for a 2 day trip?
I have just a backpack for the same destination.
What on earth do you need for a 2 day trip?
Mar 25, 2019, 4:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: USA
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For crews within North America, the requirement to be dressed professionally for a trip of unknown duration to climates ranging from MSP to MIA and with potential changes on zero notice gives me considerable sympathy. I’d much rather have an FA taking three passengers’ space in the overhead bin who is ready to crew my flight to wherever at a moment’s notice than have a flight delayed or cancelled because there’s no available crew with the right clothing/passport/etc.
Mar 25, 2019, 5:51 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: DFW
Posts: 311
Anybody here that thinks FAs should be held to the same baggage standard as pax: I hope you realize how ludicrous you sound.
My partner is a commuter (based in one city, but lives with me in another city a significant distance away). He often spends 6-7 days away from home at a time. Checking a bag is his nemesis, but sometimes a necessity when he commutes due to the challenges of travelling standby/boarding last when there is no overhead space. With how often/how many flights FAs travel on (far more than even the MOST top tier members on here), the chances of baggage mishandling are astronomical, and FAs simply cannot take that risk.
If you are going to begrudge an FA/Pilot for carrying a few extra things just to be prepared to maintain a modicum of comfort while literally traveling nonstop for work, then I hope every one of your flights the next week has the pilot announce for FAs to stay seated and perform no service due to an anticipated bumpy ride 🤣
FYI, he travels with a rollerboard, an extra bag, and a lunchbox. Other crew members may travel with an additional purse, garment bag, etc. These extra personal items are contractually guaranteed. No FA travels with four roller bags (which is what some people are making it seem). But four items is definitely possible and allowed (as it should be!).
My partner is a commuter (based in one city, but lives with me in another city a significant distance away). He often spends 6-7 days away from home at a time. Checking a bag is his nemesis, but sometimes a necessity when he commutes due to the challenges of travelling standby/boarding last when there is no overhead space. With how often/how many flights FAs travel on (far more than even the MOST top tier members on here), the chances of baggage mishandling are astronomical, and FAs simply cannot take that risk.
If you are going to begrudge an FA/Pilot for carrying a few extra things just to be prepared to maintain a modicum of comfort while literally traveling nonstop for work, then I hope every one of your flights the next week has the pilot announce for FAs to stay seated and perform no service due to an anticipated bumpy ride 🤣
FYI, he travels with a rollerboard, an extra bag, and a lunchbox. Other crew members may travel with an additional purse, garment bag, etc. These extra personal items are contractually guaranteed. No FA travels with four roller bags (which is what some people are making it seem). But four items is definitely possible and allowed (as it should be!).
Mar 25, 2019, 5:53 pm
#22
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You should have seen my face when my flight from Hawaii to DFW departed with no power, IFE or WiFi but there were a stack of those stupid applications in the J galley 🙄👎
Mar 25, 2019, 8:59 pm
#23
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Anybody here that thinks FAs should be held to the same baggage standard as pax: I hope you realize how ludicrous you sound.
My partner is a commuter (based in one city, but lives with me in another city a significant distance away). He often spends 6-7 days away from home at a time. Checking a bag is his nemesis, but sometimes a necessity when he commutes due to the challenges of travelling standby/boarding last when there is no overhead space. With how often/how many flights FAs travel on (far more than even the MOST top tier members on here), the chances of baggage mishandling are astronomical, and FAs simply cannot take that risk.
If you are going to begrudge an FA/Pilot for carrying a few extra things just to be prepared to maintain a modicum of comfort while literally traveling nonstop for work, then I hope every one of your flights the next week has the pilot announce for FAs to stay seated and perform no service due to an anticipated bumpy ride 🤣
FYI, he travels with a rollerboard, an extra bag, and a lunchbox. Other crew members may travel with an additional purse, garment bag, etc. These extra personal items are contractually guaranteed. No FA travels with four roller bags (which is what some people are making it seem). But four items is definitely possible and allowed (as it should be!).
My partner is a commuter (based in one city, but lives with me in another city a significant distance away). He often spends 6-7 days away from home at a time. Checking a bag is his nemesis, but sometimes a necessity when he commutes due to the challenges of travelling standby/boarding last when there is no overhead space. With how often/how many flights FAs travel on (far more than even the MOST top tier members on here), the chances of baggage mishandling are astronomical, and FAs simply cannot take that risk.
If you are going to begrudge an FA/Pilot for carrying a few extra things just to be prepared to maintain a modicum of comfort while literally traveling nonstop for work, then I hope every one of your flights the next week has the pilot announce for FAs to stay seated and perform no service due to an anticipated bumpy ride 🤣
FYI, he travels with a rollerboard, an extra bag, and a lunchbox. Other crew members may travel with an additional purse, garment bag, etc. These extra personal items are contractually guaranteed. No FA travels with four roller bags (which is what some people are making it seem). But four items is definitely possible and allowed (as it should be!).
OK, but it's your partner's choice to live in one place and be based in a city far far away for his/her job.
Mar 25, 2019, 9:30 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2014
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I know this thread is about crew, but...I had a gate agent in ORD hassle me about carrying my coat in addition to my Away Bigger Carry-on roll-aboard and a small duffle (Hudson Sutler commuter), she said it was another personal item, then I put my coat on, and she said I cold go ahead. I was flying as an EXP in paid F. I think some gate agents need to be a bit more liberal about the policy for some passengers.
Mar 25, 2019, 9:32 pm
#25
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: DFW
Posts: 311
Commuting is a necessity when working for a company and industry which can reassign you bases at any time based on operational need, especially for cities like NYC where the cost of living for an entry level FA is impossible to sustain.
Besides, his belongings (roller, separate small Carry on, and lunch bag) is far from ridiculous, especially for somebody that actually has the plane as his office.
Ultimately, for flight attendants it's both reasonable and contractually allowed to carry a roller bag, small bag, plus a lunch bag for food, garment bag for uniform, small purses, and a handful of other small items as needed for the workday. In addition, working (but not commuting) flight attendants are actually prohibited from checking bags since it's quite possible for them to get rerouted as needed.
My point stands. If you have so little understanding, respect, and sympathy for flight crew that you feel the need to hold a grudge against this allowance, then you must lack basic human empathy. Gate checking a bag for a passenger is a far lesser inconvenience than it is for a crew member, where a lost or simply delayed bag may well result in a delayed or cancelled flight for passengers and lost pay for a crew member.
Besides, his belongings (roller, separate small Carry on, and lunch bag) is far from ridiculous, especially for somebody that actually has the plane as his office.
Ultimately, for flight attendants it's both reasonable and contractually allowed to carry a roller bag, small bag, plus a lunch bag for food, garment bag for uniform, small purses, and a handful of other small items as needed for the workday. In addition, working (but not commuting) flight attendants are actually prohibited from checking bags since it's quite possible for them to get rerouted as needed.
My point stands. If you have so little understanding, respect, and sympathy for flight crew that you feel the need to hold a grudge against this allowance, then you must lack basic human empathy. Gate checking a bag for a passenger is a far lesser inconvenience than it is for a crew member, where a lost or simply delayed bag may well result in a delayed or cancelled flight for passengers and lost pay for a crew member.
Mar 25, 2019, 9:38 pm
#26
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Mar 25, 2019, 9:53 pm
#27
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Or just use the bins in the rear of the aircraft, especially if the FA is working in coach. Similarly if the FA is deadheading or flying nonrev to commute for work and is not confirmed into a FC seat.
Mar 26, 2019, 6:02 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: DCA
Posts: 7,769
To be frank, this whole thread makes it pretty clear who those people are who sit down next to me, glare at the FA, and bark "Doublevodkatonicandhangmycoat" without so much as a salutation. I doubt the FAs enjoy dragging luggage around much more than you enjoy looking at their luggage (and apparently becoming deeply offended by it), so they must have a good reason for bringing what is needed to do their jobs.
Mar 26, 2019, 6:35 am
#29
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No, I do not think this is about flight crews. I cannot speak on behalf of other posters, but if flight crews thought my post was commenting against flight crews then it was not.
I believe employers (in this case airlines) should give proper storage space for their employees during their work. However, rather than provide closet/locker space for crew belongings airlines seems to want to place another seats to sell more tickets. When working away from home base then employer should provide meals but for domestic flights AA no longer provide meals for FAs during flights, so many FAs bring their own meals.
I think it is more of employer/employee situation. I don't think hotels and restaurants will allow their workers to place their personal items in view of customers at public space for customers. I think employers should provide proper working situation (storage space for flight crew's personal belongings) but it is not the case.
I believe employers (in this case airlines) should give proper storage space for their employees during their work. However, rather than provide closet/locker space for crew belongings airlines seems to want to place another seats to sell more tickets. When working away from home base then employer should provide meals but for domestic flights AA no longer provide meals for FAs during flights, so many FAs bring their own meals.
I think it is more of employer/employee situation. I don't think hotels and restaurants will allow their workers to place their personal items in view of customers at public space for customers. I think employers should provide proper working situation (storage space for flight crew's personal belongings) but it is not the case.