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.
Working people know how hard it can be to work five days a week, each lasting eight-hour shifts. They devote themselves to their jobs, offering their skills and knowledge, and in exchange, they expect to be compensated for their work.
Although labor law, in theory, precisely defines the number of working hours in a week, practice shows there is often a need to stay a bit longer at the workplace. Employers frequently take advantage of their workers, so eight-hour workdays often extend far beyond that.
Recently, people have begun to realize it's not their duty to work overtime if they are not compensated for that additional work. They sacrifice their personal lives for earlier arrivals or later departures, but if there are no personal benefits for them, then it's pointless.
This is precisely why people were shocked to learn that flight attendants in the US perform numerous tasks for which they are not paid. Their working hours begin to count only when the plane door closes, but they have many duties to fulfill before that, such as boarding passengers and checking emergency equipment before takeoff.
After the flight is over, they assist passengers in leaving the plane, but they still need to clean it and prepare for the next flight. Thus, their work requires them to spend additional time on tasks that will not be compensated.
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.
VibeMarshal
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 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
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
"If the attendants have to be there - pay them."
Hestipios
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
There are plenty of situations when they don't get paid for the work they've done.
lolteag
These are not insignificant tasks; they should be compensated.
LuisRamirezdeA1
Huge waste of time.
litdreaaa
Some people even try to make a point, but there is truth in their statements.
BerraTV
This wasn't an easy discussion, as many people have found themselves in similar situations before.
Cleverchuckpun
It seems that Air France doesn't pay their flight attendants for the same work, either.
oumybabyy
"No way to justify it."
BLAZERSgitrdun
They do a lot of unpaid work.
smcnab
Well, no one can know that.
chillswithsloth
They should be paid; it's not questionable.
LaurieInQueens
Definitely.
CRyan787dash10
It is expected - yes.
PrayersAndWine
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. He believes that every individual should ask for better working conditions and discuss the salary provided in the contract.
His tweet drew quite a bit of attention, and thousands of people joined the discussion. Let us hear your opinion as well.
