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Flight Attendant terminated after admitting she qualified for food stamps
We're beginning to sympathize with the JetBlue flight attendant who made the dramatic exit via emergency slide after hearing this latest news from the flight deck. A legal battle is pending after a Compass Airlines flight attendant admitted publicly that she qualified for food stamps. Kristen Arianejad was terminated on August 25 after being featured in a local television program and admitting she was approved for food stamps to supplement her wages.
Arianejad is being represented by the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA).
"Poverty is not a crime and it is despicable that Compass Airlines would fire an employee for speaking the truth," said Patricia Friend, AFA-CWA International President. "Unfortunately, there are flight attendants across the country who have to rely on federal and state assistance to make ends meet.
Instead of paying hardworking flight attendants a living wage, airline management would rather shame them and make them fear for their jobs. We call on Compass to immediately reinstate Kirsten Arianejad."
Compass flight attendants have a starting salary of between $13,842 ($1,153.50/month) and $15,453 ($1,287.75/month). Individuals living in Arizona, Arianejad's state of residence, can have a maximum income of $1,671 to qualify for food stamps.
Compass Airlines is headquartered in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and often conducts regional flights on behalf of Delta.
Image courtesy of AVStop.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ANdrew Sep 6th 2010 1:26PM
WOw that is PR nightmare!
jessica r Sep 7th 2010 7:21PM
i think this appalling that she could get fired for being a whistle blower .to be payed so little is sad. if i were delta and i found out about this i would hire her to work for them . i would also consider buying this airline and give everyone delta's base pay.
Debbie Jefcoate Sep 8th 2010 9:01AM
Shocking!!! Shameful, and should be illegal. Tell all your friends don't fly Compass and email Compass to let them know!!!
Kathie Sep 8th 2010 10:38PM
I find it shocking that the general public isn't aware that flight attendants and pilots for the "regional airlines" (ie. Skywest as United Express, American Eagle, etc.) don't earn a decent living. Skywest pays their PILOTS $14,000 their first year...flight attendants earn less. After the crash of Colgan Air there was some publicity about how the co-pilot was tired because she had to work two jobs (the accident was found to be pilot error) but the publicity died down. Pilots, too, earn very little until they have been working several years and build some seniority. It's sad.
Cindy Sep 25th 2010 5:48PM
call 1-800-221-1212 (U.S.) and tell the airline, they SUCK!
kathy Sep 29th 2010 9:17PM
She did not work for Delta, she worked for Compass Airlines. Delta does not set their pay Compass does. She also did not say whether she is employed full or part time. I think it's great that she is taking legal action against Compass. Don't blame Delta, she chose to work there. If she was working for a major carrier she would be making more. I hope she gets her job back.
pauline Sep 30th 2010 7:52AM
I think it is terrible that this woman got fired because she had to get food stamps to feed herself and her child (children). The airline should be sued and to give this woman back her job. But if I were her I would try and get on with another airline where she can make more money. Shame on the airlines for firing her. It just show's that they do not care about their employees.