Delta Airlines and Nortwest Airlines Flight Attendant Choose to Join Union

Steve Slater’s case, JetBlue airlines flight attendant, encourage employees at some airlines take a position whether to join the union. Federal regulators have determined that Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines as a trigger process approximately 20 000 employees to choose whether to join a union.

Delta is the least-unionized of the major airlines, with only its pilots and a handful of others now in a brotherhood, and the airline has fought valiantly to keep its FAs from joining together in a union. The mediation board, a little-known agency that oversees airline and rail labor issues, now has two Obama-appointed members who earlier this year changed a key procedure when workers petition it, asking for a union representation election. Now it takes a simple majority of all the employees in a work class (such as flight attendants) to approve unionization in an election; previously, representation had to be approved by a majority of those voting, which meant those not voting were counted as “no.” It remains to be seen if the Delta employees will vote for the Association of Flight Attendants to now be their bargaining agent. Count on Delta telling the employees the company thinks it’s a bad idea.

Back to Mr. Slater. His action, ranting, grabbing two beers and activating the emergency slide on his JetBlue jet, has prompted a number of serious looks at the stresses of being a flight attendant. Practically everyone who flies — customers and FAs alike — is cranky these days because of crowded conditions, a less-than-hospitable welcome by some employees and fees that have prompted more of us to do carry-on bags. The last problem has made the life of the cabin crew even more unpleasant, as people try to cram too much into overhead bins, stealing space wherever they can find it and stretching out the boarding and deplaning process.

What’s worse, many airlines have cut the pay of many of their employees, and there are far fewer employees at the major airlines than there were a decade ago — 23 percent fewer, to be exact, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics. The number of fulltime equivalent workers has even gone down 2.4 percent in the last year, since the depths of the recession, BTS reported today. Among the good commentary I’ve read about the attendants’ situation is today’s New York Times business travel column by Joe Sharkey.

As always, I try to look on the bright side: At least the number of flight attendants per aircraft is governed by federal regulation, based on the number of seats on a plane, so the ratio for each model plane has stayed the same as workers in other airline jobs have been cut.

One more idea: The next time you fly, why not try giving a real ‘thank you’ to the flight attendants. Or fly an airline (Southwest is the only one I know of ) where the cabin crew may sing songs, make jokes during the safety briefing and wear costumes around holidays. You may actually relax during a flight, and you will really mean it when you say ‘thanks for the ride.’

American Airlines Lobbied Congress to Delay Legislation Tarmac Regulation

American Airlines spent $1.58 million to lobby Congress and executive branch agencies in the fourth quarter on legislation to limit tarmac delays and other issues.

American weighed in on bills in the House and Senate that would require airlines to give passengers a chance to get off a plane if it’s stuck on the tarmac for at least three hours.

American Airlines spokeswoman Mary Frances Fagan said Monday the company would have preferred a 4-hour limit.

The Transportation Department beat Congress to the punch by announcing in December a new rule to take effect in late April that includes a 3-hour limit. The airline industry has argued that the rule will cause carriers to cancel more flights rather than risk fines of up to $27,500 per passenger.
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United Airlines Launches Summer Fares For Hong Kong, America

United Airlines is providing promotional summer fares for flights between Vietnam and the US, as well as to Hong Kong.

The discounted fares for Los Angeles and San Francisco start at US$770, with travel until June 14.

The American carrier is selling a round trip between Ho Chi Minh City and Hong Kong starting at US$138, with travel from April 1 till June 10 this year.

The summer promotion is applied for max stay of four days, and the booking class is L.

United’s regular fares for a round trip between HCM City and Hong Kong are also available, starting at US$188.

The airline operates daily direct flights between Vietnam and the US via Hong Kong. The service was launched in December 2004, making United the first American carrier to fly to Vietnam since 1975.
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Asia, Pacific Nations Vow To Fight Threats To Civil Aviation

Asia and Pacific nations vowed Saturday to fight emerging terror threats to commercial aircraft by boosting international security standards and measures, including screening technology.

The declaration was made in Tokyo at a one-day meeting attended by ministers and senior officials from 17 countries, plus Hong Kong and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

The Asia-Pacific Ministerial Conference on Aviation Security was held in response to an aborted terror attack on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 approaching Detroit from Amsterdam on Christmas Day.

US Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano noted that the 289 people aboard the plane were from 18 countries including Australia, Japan, Canada, India, Pakistan and China.
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Northwest and Delta Airlines Merge : Machinist’s Union Takes Steps Toward Union Vote at Delta Airlines

The International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers has taken a major step toward representing all ground workers at Delta Airlines.

Northwest and Delta Airlines have merged to create the world’s largest air carrier. Workers at Delta prior to the merger were not represented by a union, while workers at Northwest were.
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Delta Airlines Adds Cabin Crew On Northwest Jets

Delta Air Lines Inc. will add flight attendants on some Northwest Airlines Corp. planes to create uniform service in its “business elite” class throughout the merged carrier.

The plans were disclosed last week in a recorded message to employees from Delta Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson. The airline will add one attendant per plane on Boeing Co. 747-400s and Airbus A330s that make international flights. (more…)

Delta, Northwest Add $5 Checked Bag Surcharge

Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines has added a $5 surcharge on domestic flights for the first two checked bags unless fees are prepaid online, matching moves by Continental, US Airways and United Airlines.
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Changes For Northwest Passengers At Roanoke’s Airport

It’s time for those last minute vacation trips before school starts again.

Are you flying Northwest Airlines out of the Roanoke Regional Airport? Starting Tuesday, even if your plane ticket says Northwest, make sure to check-in at the Delta Airlines’ counter.
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Delta Responds To Story About Northwest Airlines Owning ‘Northwest’

Northwest Airlines has challenged Pacific Northwest travel Web site gonorthwest.com over its use of the term “northwest.”

Today, a Delta Air Lines spokesman responded to the story. Delta has purchased Northwest and the companies are now in the process of merging operations. The companies share their media relations offices.
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