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"Honored" American Airlines flight attendant rejects award, complains about management
A recent American Airlines award ceremony honoring a flight attendant backfired this week when the woman took the stage, rejected the award and went on to complain about management, maintenance and operations at the airline. She complained for over fifteen minutes as presenters and attendees looked on in horror. Check out this MSNBC video as she tries to explain her actions.
Completely inappropriate or a good time to be heard?
Completely inappropriate or a good time to be heard?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Beth Apr 9th 2008 4:13AM
This is the ONLY time she will get heard by the airline, so BRAVO for taking advantage of it.
I was a flight attendant back in the 60's for a major airline when passengers were much better behaved.
And we took pride in our jobs.
I have watched the falling apart of service, maintaining planes, managments greed, and various other things that have made some US carriers just relics of the reputation they once had.
Even back in the 60's, if I dared suggest another way of doing things, I was told to be very careful what I said to airline officials. And to my Union officials also.
At least in those days, many airline VP's, and Presidents came up in our business and knew something about airplanes, aviation, and how the industry functioned.
It is amazing, but most airline brass don't really know the job nowdays, know nothing about how airlines work, care very little about working conditions or passengers rights.
They are just business school grads who flip from one job to another, and rarely stay long at an airline, just long enough to collect a fat payoff to leave or go onto another very high paying position.
Chuck Apr 4th 2008 4:28PM
Good for her! A surprise speech is the only way her point will be heard without being squashed by the corporate controlled media. Had she stood up at a flight attendant rally, the news wouldn't have even reported it. Her issues with management are valid. The flight attendants, as all American's Workers, have sacrificed so much for the Company( keeping it out of bankruptcy) and only the executives, who gave up practically nothing( I wont waste space here on the details) are getting the million dollar bonuses. Maintenance on the airplanes is minimal. Only what is absolutely required by LAW to keep the plane flying.
Ask anyone who has been on an American Plane what condition the cabin is in. This has been going on for 4 years. Executive compensation is insane. They pay the CEO $10million and the airline has the worst statistics.
it's a great job, the worse you do, the better you get paid.
Beth is right, management doesn't care about the customers, or their employees, just about their own paychecks.
Lisa Apr 6th 2008 11:57AM
As a 22 year flight attendant for American Airlines I am appalled that AA management would take a second round of million dollar bonuses when all of the employees have sacrificed so much. Mr. Arpey, what happened to the Turnaround Plan??? What happened to working together??? The company threw all of us some crumbs a few months ago when they awarded us all a one time bonus of $800.00. I'd like my 80,000plus that i have given up in the past five years. Restore our contracts!!!!
Michelle Apr 10th 2008 4:59PM
Chuck, you are sooo correct!
After 15 years, I left a (Government) job I loved because I was told to come in late, leave early, and basically screw 700 families that were counting on me on a daily basis. As a salary employee, it would not cost them a cent more for me to do my job correctly.
The question is: Why would the Fed. Govt. want me to do less than was required?
Slackers are promoted. Mediocrity appears to be what our society strives for today.
I believe we should all strive for excellence.
Katherine Apr 30th 2008 11:43AM
I am sorry, but whatever happened to etiquette in this world? However frustrated and upset by her company this flight attendant is, an award ceremony is not the place to voice your opinion. If you do not want to accept the award, decline to attend. The example that is being set for our younger generation is that we may say and do as we feel whenever and wherever we are so moved. Perhaps that is OK with some, but it is viewed as an assault on civility and common decency by most.
billy Apr 10th 2008 3:20PM
it seems to me that you have not been screwed by your company, i work for delta and have friends who work for all the majors, sadly it is the only way to get our voices heard.
mickyd Apr 5th 2008 6:50PM
I was at the awards ceremony. What you didn't hear her talk about was the fact that she was harrassed by AA for walking off an airplane that had a crack in the fuselage. AA apparantly didn't find that important enough to take it out of service. She has been harrassed since the incident and has not flown. Every flight attendant there knew why we had received this invitation. None of us were thanked for the job we did until after the incident in February. It was "damage control". You may not think it was the right place, but any place is the right place if an airline is dispatching unsafe aircraft. You should thank Ms. Rolow for having the balls to speak up.
Chuck Apr 6th 2008 12:39PM
To Katherine:
It's Called FREEDOM, something this country used to be proud of, but has been erased by greedy corporations and a very twisted Fascist President.
Freedom of speech, freedom to congregate, freedom to do as you please as long as it is LAWful. If you only spoke at the "Etiquette appropriate" time, women would still not have the right to vote, Blacks would still be slaves, and many other inequalities would still exist. You go right ahead and speak only when your given permission to, hope to be hearing from you soon!
De Sanchez Apr 6th 2008 3:36PM
I have a very special person that is in the airline indsutry, and he tries to do the best job that he has been trained to do, but managment would rather have him fired, then focus in on the excellent customer service that he provides for his airline. All the other agents need to learn from this person, for he knows what is expected of him, and he goes up and beyond the service that is expected of him.
Denise Apr 11th 2008 6:34PM
This is the only way to be heard. We the employees are the small people. Honestly and sadly we have certain guidelines to meet in order to just keep our jobs and customer service isn't at the top of the list I can tell you that. In today's ecomomic status the public and the passengers should understand this at least try. It isn't us who make the rules....we are the mere pawns who desperately need that paycheck to feed our children. Do you think we like being on a timer everytime a passenger calls rushing in fear of losing our job for not keeping our "stats" within required time? I believe most of us joined the airline to help people at least that was what I wanted to do. That has been changed....we have been changed. Most passengers I speak with are rude and mean. We get it from both ends. The upper management does not care about us as long as we continue to make the money. The customers don't care about the position we are put in all they are concerned with is that WE cancelled they're flight. Something will eventually give.....I am sure by the time this happens I will be long gone. But again horray for her!!!!
onnie Apr 10th 2008 12:32PM
great job!!!! its about time someone stood up and told the truth about how airlines treat their employees. aa is not the only ones who treat the employees so bad. people who don't work for the airlines can't imagine all the work laws that are violated everyday. you just can't quit. you have a family to support and you can't loose the job anymore than anyone else can. the media has their part in this. they always have horrible things to say about the employees. this causes us even more trouble with the public. the government won't even let us strike. what use is a union when you can't strike and demand better working conditions?
Verdonna Proud Apr 11th 2008 9:27PM
I applaud you for standing up for your beliefs. Greed is our problem in AMERICA. Where did pride go?
Annette Apr 17th 2008 2:17PM
Hey everybody in LA, I believe what Alicia Lutz Rolow could use is your support right now, she is fighting for all of your rights as a human being as well as an AA employee, to be able to get restitution for your professions. She has put 32 years of retirement at risk because she feels that it is crucial to your safety as well as the passengers. She also feels that the Corporate Management is keeping her at a distance from her co-workers in order to continue to proceed with their unacceptable behavior. Don't let them intimidate you with (FEAR) acronyms False Evidence Appearing Real...Annette ex-USAIR employee (I should know)
Grant.Martin Apr 17th 2008 2:18PM
If any of you guys know Alicia, you can get her in touch with me and I'd be happy to post her comments.
Annette Apr 17th 2008 2:42PM
Dear Grant, Martin
I know Alicia Lutz Rolow, If you would like to contact her. I may be reached at 949 458-2515. Thanks Annette
Mr X Jun 20th 2008 3:25PM
GO HER!!! It is about time someone said something. I am a flight attendant for Republic Airlines(US Airways Express) so I know all about the abuse that you get from upper mgmt that is highly overpaid while we are asked to take unpaid leaves of abscence.