Global Twitter Users Learn That US Flight Attendants Are Only Paid For In-Flight Hours And Passionately Debate The Moral Conundrum Of This Discovery
In the US, flight attendants don't get paid for all of their work duties and time.
Flight attendants in the US just became the center of a heated online debate, and it all started with a simple question about pay. Many people were stunned to learn that their work does not begin counting until the plane door closes.
That means boarding, safety checks, passenger assistance, and post-flight cleanup can all happen before or after paid time starts. The result is a messy labor issue that has people arguing over fairness, contracts, and what counts as real work.
Now the internet is weighing in, and the reactions are not exactly subtle.
Flight attendants in the US do a lot of work tasks that aren't included in their salaries and will not be compensated. They are paid only for the time spent on the plane during the actual flight.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffBen Schlappig wondered, "Should flight attendants be paid during boarding?" because they are not.
Ben Schlappig is a blogger, and his website is One Mile At A Time. He wrote about the issue of flight attendants being paid only for in-flight hours, which has sparked significant debate among readers. As noted by Dr. Alexandra Solomon, a relationship expert, "Understanding the value of one's work is crucial for mental well-being and job satisfaction." In his post, Ben mentions a petition on change.org that has garnered over 120,000 signatures from individuals who believe these unpaid work hours are unjust. The petition is directed to the President of the United States.
OneMileataTimeA flight attendant from the UK stated that he is paid for all hours he works. So this problem affects only US flight attendants.
Haremking63
Good point.
Good point.
VibeMarshal
If employers require your presence at work, then yes, it's working hours.
People thought there was a writing mistake in the question; they couldn't believe this could be a reality. They were very shocked to learn that there were no writing errors.
AverageFreddy
"If the attendants have to be there - pay them."
If employers require your presence at work, then yes, it's working hours.
Ben believes that being a flight attendant is not an easy job, especially since it requires many sacrifices, and dealing with clients is not always a pleasant situation. Although their salary is not adequate, people still apply for the job.
DemmyXii
Working time should be compensated either way.
EPI.org says that employers "steal billions from workers’ paychecks each year."
Liz Weston, financial columnist states:
"Wage theft is a significant issue that affects many workers, particularly in industries like hospitality and service. When employees are not compensated for all hours worked, it not only undermines their financial stability but also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and inequality. Addressing this issue is crucial for ensuring fair labor practices and protecting workers' rights."
MolotovCocteau
These are not insignificant tasks; they should be compensated.
And it gets even messier than the “upgrade” debate, like when the friends argued who should pay more after a flight upgrade.
"If the attendants have to be there - pay them."
Hestipios
Some people even try to make a point, but there is truth in their statements.
In his post, Ben stated that flight attendants get paid for the time spent between flights when they need to rest miles away from their homes.
Ben thinks this wage issue is partly due to flight attendants not discussing it with their employers. He proposes that wages should be negotiated before signing a contract, but he is aware of the possibility that employees may be offered a lower hourly rate.
nuyawka_gurl
Working time should be compensated either way.
KeithMowz
"No way to justify it."
There are plenty of situations when they don't get paid for the work they've done.
lolteag
Well, no one can know that.
These are not insignificant tasks; they should be compensated.
LuisRamirezdeA1
Definitely.
Huge waste of time.
litdreaaa
Kat Kamalini went viral on TikTok to answer Ben's question and explain how flight attendants' wages are calculated.
She said that 'in-flight hours' mean hours spent during the flight. However, flight attendants get paid for 'Per Diem' - when they stay in hotels waiting for the next flight. Their hourly rate is $1.50 to $2.50.
Ben stated it's reasonable for flight attendants to want to be paid for all their work, but he isn't sure if the petition could help them.
His tweet drew quite a bit of attention, and thousands of people joined the discussion. Let us hear your opinion as well.
That pay setup is exactly why the argument took off.
Still arguing about who pays for travel extras? Read the fight over making a friend cover excess luggage fees.
