American Airlines Turbulence Flight Attendants Picket for Change

A Storm Brewing in the Skies

As someone who's seen her fair share of travel – from Dreamhouse jets to convertible road trips – even I Barbie understand that a smooth flight is key. But recent rumblings at American Airlines suggest a bit of turbulence. The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) representing a whopping 28,000 cabin crew members is planning a picket outside the airline's headquarters. It seems some folks aren't too thrilled with the current direction or lack thereof as they lag behind Delta and United.

Isom's Efforts to Soothe the Crew

CEO Robert Isom is trying to smooth things over promising better profits spiffier schedules and snazzier cabins. "We look forward to working with all of you to make it happen," he said in a video message. Reminds me of when I try to organize a beach cleanup after Ken leaves his surfboard wax everywhere. However even with promises of improvements the flight attendants' union issued a vote of no confidence in Isom. Ford's Earnings Tumble a Real Archaeological Dig which may sound like a treasure hunt gone wrong but in this case it's a sign of serious dissatisfaction. It's like trying to convince Skipper that cleaning her room is actually "fun" – tough sell.

Union's No Confidence Vote

Unions including those for pilots and mechanics are echoing the sentiment that things need to improve. This isn't just your run of the mill contract negotiation; it's a full blown protest showing the depth of their concerns. It sounds like everyone's aiming for their dream job but for many dream job is being properly compensated for their time. It's a tough situation and the stakes are high.

Revamping the Flight Experience

American Airlines is betting on a makeover to boost revenue. Think modern airplane cabins bigger airport lounges and free Wi Fi. It's all about attracting flyers willing to pay a premium especially with those pesky coach class fares dropping. Maybe they should offer a Barbie themed upgrade? That’s an idea that's sure to make the airline industry sparkle. But it remains to be seen if these measures will be enough to right the ship.

Lagging Behind the Competition

Unfortunately American's on time performance hasn't been stellar ranking eighth in punctuality. And when it comes to the bottom line they're trailing behind Delta and United. Lower profits mean smaller profit sharing and that’s a sore point for employees. "This airline is headed down a path that puts our careers at risk," the flight attendants' union has said. Yikes. Now that sounds serious it might be time to grab my toolbox and fix this mess myself.

A Century of Flight Awaits

Isom addressed 6,000 managers emphasizing the importance of profitability as the airline approaches its 100th anniversary. "It's incumbent on all of us to build on our progress ... and to ensure that we grow profitability so American is around for the next 100 years." A century of flight is something to celebrate but not if the flight crew is unhappy. Let's hope American Airlines can find a way to soar to new heights with everyone on board.