Iris Peterson: 59 Years As A UA Flight Attendant (and still flying!)
#61
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 418
Do do realize we are talking about flight attendants not firemen
I only expect a flight attendant to point the way to the exit. I doubt there are going to be too many attendants that carry 200 lb men on their back regarless if the flight attendant is young or old.
#62
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Originally Posted by CLELOSER
I only expect a flight attendant to point the way to the exit. I doubt there are going to be too many attendants that carry 200 lb men on their back regardless if the flight attendant is young or old.
One I saw this year would cope with Arnie pretty easily is my guess.
#63
Join Date: May 1998
Programs: AAExecPlat MM, DL MM, HH Platinum
Posts: 509
On flight from SFO to SYD last week, FA told me that with all the salary cuts, she now brings home $800 a month and she's got 30 years with UA. Working primarily to keep the medical insurance benfits (which she pays for, but cheaper than if not working).
And in terms of safety, never forget it was the cute little Singapore girls who were first off the airliner that crashed. They didn't stick around to help people off.
And in terms of safety, never forget it was the cute little Singapore girls who were first off the airliner that crashed. They didn't stick around to help people off.
#64
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Join Date: Sep 1999
Posts: 12,375
Originally Posted by JohnnyP
Today I overheard a few FAs in F bantering on about Iris. ...
They all laughed and agreed that Iris should call it a career and retire.
They all laughed and agreed that Iris should call it a career and retire.
#65
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Seattle, Seoul, temporarily Shanghai
Programs: UA, AA, KE, OZ Hyatt Platinum, Int Ambassador,
Posts: 215
This is one lady who must have seen it all.
#66
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,011
Im a UA flight attendant and have worked with Iris numerous times. Frankly, the entire crew props her up and has to look out for her throughout the entire flight. I dont expect the passengers to know this and many who speak of Iris "on the line" have never actually worked with her. Im not a big fan of being understaffed and not paid for it.
Frankly, one of the only reasons I can see for the lack of manditory retirement in US is the "avoidance issue". Airlines and the FAA seem to work hand-in-hand avoiding the issue of our manditory retirement....
If our retirement was validated it may require a closer look at our retirement PLANS and BENEFITS. Instead, it seems easier for both parties to overlook the obvious need for mandatory retirement and save $$ in the process.
Who benefits? Certainly not the passenger. Canadian crew, I believe, are required to retire at the age of 60. Any FT'ers know if this is true?
Frankly, one of the only reasons I can see for the lack of manditory retirement in US is the "avoidance issue". Airlines and the FAA seem to work hand-in-hand avoiding the issue of our manditory retirement....
If our retirement was validated it may require a closer look at our retirement PLANS and BENEFITS. Instead, it seems easier for both parties to overlook the obvious need for mandatory retirement and save $$ in the process.
Who benefits? Certainly not the passenger. Canadian crew, I believe, are required to retire at the age of 60. Any FT'ers know if this is true?
#67
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,011
Originally Posted by TexasFlyer
On flight from SFO to SYD last week, FA told me that with all the salary cuts, she now brings home $800 a month and she's got 30 years with UA. Working primarily to keep the medical insurance benfits (which she pays for, but cheaper than if not working).
And in terms of safety, never forget it was the cute little Singapore girls who were first off the airliner that crashed. They didn't stick around to help people off.
And in terms of safety, never forget it was the cute little Singapore girls who were first off the airliner that crashed. They didn't stick around to help people off.
Sorry to be blunt, but she is a liar. Things are bad, but not that bad. Perhaps she tends to drop 2 of her 3 SYD trips per month. Having only one may leave her with this. Seniority tends to bring a more narrow view in perspective, as this is one of the MOST senior trip in SFO if not the entire company. Please talk to the people who started in 1977 and are still on reserve! (ie Seattle)
#68
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,011
Originally Posted by Always Flyin
Cabin defense training for flight attendants? There is no such mandatory training.
Cost cuts.
It is now available for those interested in cities country-wide.
#69
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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there was a story on this training on ABC News last week. Something like 2% or fewer of FA's had taken it. One of the issues is while the class is free, the FA is required to pay own travel/lodging/incidentals associated with taking the class. At least that was what the news report said.
#70
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Originally Posted by Axey
#71
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Originally Posted by ClipperClub
Who benefits? Certainly not the passenger. Canadian crew, I believe, are required to retire at the age of 60. Any FT'ers know if this is true?
I do recall reading however that all US flight deck members must retire at a set age (60 or 65 IIRC?) regardless of fitness or experience.
It most certainly should also apply to FA's.
Those flying grannies are the absolute number #1 reason UA loses a ton of discretionary business on long haul.
#72
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,724
Originally Posted by ozstamps
No idea - others might.
I do recall reading however that all US flight deck members must retire at a set age (60 or 65 IIRC?) regardless of fitness or experience.
It most certainly should also apply to FA's.
Those flying grannies are the absolute number #1 reason UA loses a ton of discretionary business on long haul.
I do recall reading however that all US flight deck members must retire at a set age (60 or 65 IIRC?) regardless of fitness or experience.
It most certainly should also apply to FA's.
Those flying grannies are the absolute number #1 reason UA loses a ton of discretionary business on long haul.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15035396/
#73
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 106
I'm sure a lot of the 'grannies' would love to retire....but they took their pension away. Yeah, THAT.
#74
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by uastarflyer
Was TexasFlyer wrong?
#75
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by TexasFlyer
On flight from SFO to SYD last week, FA told me that with all the salary cuts, she now brings home $800 a month and she's got 30 years with UA. Working primarily to keep the medical insurance benfits (which she pays for, but cheaper than if not working).
Originally Posted by TexasFlyer
And in terms of safety, never forget it was the cute little Singapore girls who were first off the airliner that crashed. They didn't stick around to help people off.