Earlier today, almost 100 American Airlines flight attendants marched at Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport. Flight attendants are asking for improved working conditions and improved pay.

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Informational picketing

Just one week before one of the busiest holidays of the year, a group of flight attendants at DFW took place in just one of 11 protests in the United States. Flight attendants are protesting against their employer, American Airlines, asking for raises, improved working conditions, and better schedules. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants organized the protests.

Signs carried by flight attendants read, "We are ready for rest" and "Tired of delays? We are too". Julie Hendrick, President of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said,

“In the last year, you’ve heard a lot of flight attendants asking, 'Are we going to get a great raise?' We’re tired, we’re exhausted.”

Years without a new deal

The last time American Airlines flight attendants signed a new contract was before the pandemic. Hendrick added that the airline had stated time and time again that revenue and passenger demand have never been stronger, yet salaries are not raised.

According to the Union, salaries have not been raised to match the increasing cost of living.

"We're going to have to force management to stop rolling over us. It's not going to stop until we all stand up together." - Jeff Reisberg, Flight Attendant, American Airlines

Flight attendants are not paid for delays, which have increased, and in turn, increased the level of frustration of crew members.

“We don’t get paid for delays; we are just as upset about them as passengers are. We’re only paid for our flight time so when we’re out in the airport for a day, a day-and-a-half, sitting around we’re not getting paid. It’s hard on us as well, we want those flights to go out on time." - Uschi Woronin

If American does not offer its flight attendants a satisfactory contract soon, strike action may be unavoidable. American Airlines said that its staff members deserve to be compensated fairly.

“We continue to meet regularly with the Association of Professional Flight Attendants to reach an agreement that benefits both our flight attendants and operation, and we respect the right of our flight attendants to participate in informational picketing. Today’s picketing will have no impact on our operation.”

Many of the troubles are due to flight delays and scheduling changes. Both pilots and flight attendants say that better scheduling systems could fix those problems. It is hard to rework schedules during periods of high cancelations and when crews are out of their regular positions.

Increased frustration

Erik Harris, treasurer of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, said employee morale is very low. Flight attendants have been in talks with the airline for almost four years, and they are still likely months from even beginning to talk about raises. It might not be until sometime in Q2 2023 that American's flight attendants will sign a new contract.