United Airlines to cut 1,550 flight attendant jobs: report

[UpInArms]

Source: CBS Marketwatch

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- United Airlines, operated by parent company UAL Corp. (UAL:), said it will trim 1,550 flight attendant jobs in response to reduced capacity, according to Crain's Chicago Business Web site Wednesday. The airline will begin offering voluntary furloughs of six to 21 months in late October and did not announce layoffs, Crain's said.

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/united-airlines-cut-1550-flight/story.aspx?guid=%7B7AAD8912%2D12D9%2D4177%2D8641%2D3FE2FDB48732%7D&dist=TQP_Mod_mktwN

[Parche]

1. And In Other News Dick Cheney Still Keeps His Energy Policy Secret

Thanks Cheney!!!

:grr: :grr: :hi:

[LiberalFighter]

2. When will it happen? Just before the GOP convention? Does UA operate in Minneapolis?

[Lydia Leftcoast]

8. It has limited service to the Twin Cities

It has non-stops only to Chicago-O'Hare or Denver.

Most non-stops out of MSP are on Northwest.

[LiberalFighter]

11. You had to spoil my hopes!! Didn't you?

[Bluenorthwest]

3. I just had United Flights across the country

I had the most surly service I'd ever had on any airline. Both ways. Returning from NY, my seatback was broken, and would not lock into the upright position that is supposed to be a safety must in take off and landing. I asked the 'flight attendant' if it was safe, as airlines have told me it is not since I was old enough to sit in my own seat, and the man said 'let's hope so'. Safety is supposed to be their job number one, and the factor that seperates them from waitstaff. No concern, just a really nasty attitude. In fact, no attendant spoke to me at all until my connecting flight, at the end when one woke me up to tell me to lock my seat upright for my own safety.

I know how to put on a seatbelt, we bring our own food, they can not be troubled with even giving a straight answer to a safety question...what is it they do that we can not do without again? I think they are a redundant job, like elevator operators, that are no longer needed in this modern world. And I'd be sad for them if they were not the nastiest batch of people I've dealt with in years.

[skepticscott]

10. They certainly don't need

to have them wheeling out the drink cart to serve everyone a half a can of soda on a hour long flight. I'd rather they just stayed in their seats and let me sleep instead of banging me with the cart every time they go by.

[excess_3]

4. there are lots of jobs for FAs

the airline industry
is way over capacity
and burns fuel like
you wouldn't believe

[Juan_de_la_Dem]

5. This will happen with more airlines with the loss of Comp Services

1-2 attendants(depending on plane size) can easily manage most flights now that they do not have comp. in flight services. I fly alot, I'm not buying drinks from them and most others don't either from what I have seen.

[merwin]

6. At what point does it go from "trimming" to "slashing".

Seems like laying off 1,500 employees is a bit more than a trim.

[Bette Noir]

7. Of course they're cutting flight attendant jobs.

It's not like they need anyone to serve meals, or drinks, or pass out pillows.

The amazing part is that the airlines don't understand why people like me avoid flying. Why would I want to fly, when the whole process is unpleasant?

[lib2DaBone]

13. Agree.. Flying is very unpleasant these days...

By the time you make it past the TSA Goon Squad you are already frazzeled. Then, you are hearded into a hot plane where the Air Conditioning doesn't work. Then.. you are lucky if you can fight for a place to put your overhead bag. You are crammed into a seat with a broken seatback. Finally, you pull up to the gate and everyone stands up all smelly in the aisle and waits 15 minutes for them to open the door. What a bunch of morons. Whoo boy... I wish we had better train systems in this country. I would much rather take the train.

[brooklynite]

9. With all the service cutbacks, they probably don't need as many...

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

12. unfortunately they are going to cut some excellent people

These lay-offs are going to see virtually all the international FA's based in Singapore and Bangkok fired - these crews are excellent easily recognized because they aren't assholes.

[Bluebear]

14. They're also non-union and paid pennies on the dollar. happy?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

15. so union membership gives you the right to treat fellow humans like garbage?

who knew?