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May 4
Confessions of an United Airlines Flight Attendant
One of my best friends has been a United Airlines flight attendant for almost ten years on and off (She was laid off at 9/11).  When she first started, being a flight attendant was still considered a “glamour” job.  Of course, as with any new job, she was very excited to be visiting all these different cities and countries.  Who wouldn’t love to be paid to do that, right?

First Class United Airlines in 1987 Flickr photo by Alan Light
First Class United Airlines in 1987/Photo by Alan Light

Well, all that has changed.  My friend calls me and she sounds extremely stressed out...  

“I can’t take it anymore!” she exclaims.  “Everyone - fellow flight attendants, customers, supervisors - are just plain mean!  Flying used to be a stress-free experience, but now flying is just the same as riding the Greyhound Bus!  Customers are angry because we run out of food, First Class flyers are angry because they can‘t get a second meal…Everyone is just angry.”

My friend went on to tell me that United Airlines:

1.  Has given her numerous pay and benefit cuts
2.  Didn’t include good customer feedback in her employee record (something the company is supposed to do)
3.  Schedules her crazy hours in which sometimes she only gets five hours of sleep
4.  Fellow agents treat her like she’s a scab on their arm
5.  Could care less if she left the company because they could easily find someone to take her place who would accept less pay
6.  Supervisors pay attention to the negatives and don’t offer any kind of morale or support

Of course I told her that it was probably time to move on and find something else to do or find another airline who would treat her better…like Southwest Airlines.

Anybody want to hire a person who has a sincere passion for helping people and can treat her better than United Airlines?     

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6 Comments/Trackbacks




That's horrible about your friend's job. Many companies forget that their most important customer is their employee. I agree its time to move on; there have to be other companies - airlines even - where she won't be treated like a slave and her hard work will be valued.

Hi Kimberlee,

My friend seems ok now, but I do think it is time to move on. I think the problem now - and what many other people go through - is finding the energy to go out looking for another job.

I haven't flown in a couple of years, but I've since decided that that was my last plane trip, unless someone offers me that dream job in Europe. If I'm going to be treated like cattle, for the same price or less I might as well take the train and be able to get up and walk around every once in a while, or even take the bus.

My heart goes out to your friend, I was a United Flight Attendant from 1997 to 2005 and I can honestly say working for United Airlines was a NIGHTMARE!. The details could fill a novel but basicly their biggest problem has not been 911, the economy, gas prices etc. Uniteds' biggest problem is the mean spirited, greedy, vindictive, heartless, incompetent management starting with the CEO Glenn Tilten on down. Having said all that, I walked away with no severence whatsoever and started over with Alaska Airlines. It was the best career move I've ever made. Alaska Airlines is everything United is not; friendly, relatively stress free, a fantastic company that really cares about its employees.( I actually enjoy going to work!!) I could go on and on. Let United keep their big international routes bla bla bla who cares.

just plain mean! Flying used to be a stress-free experience

what many other people go through - is finding the energy to go out looking for another job.

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