10.30.23 – Don’t Write it Up – Talk it Out!

Utilizing Professional Standards

Monday, October 30, 2023

As part of APFA’s Employee Assistance Program, we have trained Professional Standards volunteers available to you in every base. After listening to your concerns, APFA EAP representatives will follow up on the situation and pursue the appropriate action necessary.

Professional Standards is a component of APFA EAP designed to assist Flight Attendants in any area that affects professional conduct, and confidentiality is the cornerstone of the program. Your trained committee representatives will not report back to you with any fellow employee or any recommendations made during follow-up conversations.

When you seek management intervention regarding a Flight Attendant, Pilot, or another airline employee, the consequences might be severe. Everyone must harness the responsibility for creating a cooperative, rewarding, and pleasant work environment. If conflict occurs, take the initiative to try and deal with it, if possible.

But how is this done?

• Try to discuss the specific behavior or area of contention and find an acceptable solution. In any situation, you should approach the party and speak about the issue in a non-threatening manner, out of the view of any customer.
• There will be times when it is better to wait until you are off the airplane when both parties have had time to think more clearly about the matter. When approaching anyone, keep both your attitude and body language professional.
• If your discussion does not seem to be productive, please call your APFA EAP Professional Standards representative to discuss the matter. If you have an issue with a Pilot, please do not go to the Chief Pilot- they are a member of management.
• If Professional Standards is handling your issue, please do not bring the issue to management. Let our professional standards representatives work to resolve the problem.

APFA EAP is a voluntary and confidential service that relies on peer professionals who volunteer their time. Let us help “work it out” and avoid “writing up” flying partners. Both parties, when turned into management, have the potential for an investigation and disciplinary action.

Let us keep each other safe. We all are part of both the APFA and AA family. To have a confidential conversation, call 1-833-214-2002 to be connected to a trained APFA EAP volunteer in your base.

In Solidarity,

Marcus Recarte
APFA EAP Specialist 

Deborah McCormick
FADAP Coordinator

[email protected]