6.30.23 – “What if American Airlines Actually Cared About Me?”

“What if American Airlines Actually Cared About Me?”

Friday, June 30, 2023

Jace was excited to become a Flight Attendant with American Airlines. Less than a year into his new job, however, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. His doctors recommended surgery and chemotherapy to treat his condition.

When Jace shared his diagnosis with his manager, he was told he didn’t qualify for FMLA – though Jace had the hours, the policy stated he had to have been with the company for at least one year. There was no flexibility in this policy, even in the face of an unplanned and devastating personal diagnosis. Jace took a medical leave, as his manager suggested, to have life-saving surgery. He didn’t expect that he would also receive attendance points for taking a medical leave.

While Jace was out for surgery, he felt alone while navigating his diagnosis. No one from management called to check on him while he was out for surgery. No one asked how he was doing or when he thought he could return. No one cared, Jace felt. 

“Am I going to have a job when I come back?” Jace remembered thinking. “Am I going to be in trouble?”

Despite his physician’s instructions to follow surgery with chemotherapy as soon as possible, Jace felt he had to delay treatment until he could qualify for FMLA. He hopes to receive the medical care he needs this summer.

What would it be like to work for a company that cared for its employees? What would it be like to have an attendance flight service manager that fostered relationships with Flight Attendants instead of treating us like just another phone call to return?

The attendance flight service management (AFSM) program at American Airlines makes Flight Attendants feel like nobody cares. Managers see Flight Attendants as nameless with no opportunity to be cared for as individuals.

One manager for thousands of Flight Attendants is not working.

#NoAAccountability
No respect.
No way to work.
American Airlines, do better.

Take ACTION!

Do you feel valued and respected by American Airlines Inflight management? Let us know your thoughts by taking the latest online poll on the APFA website.

Has American Airlines treated you poorly while you were trying to do the right thing? Share your story here.