Questions for Current NW Flight Attendants

[Ava]

Hello...I have some questions for any current NW flight attendants (FA's) out there...


1. What FA base(s) work the AMS and or NRT flights out of PDX, BDL and or IAD since they are not base cities? AND What are the trip pairings like...3-4 day trips?

2. Are the transatlantic flights staffed with language FA's , like the transpacific one's are with the IFSR/interpretors?

3. Which languages are currently used onboard by NW qualified FA's?

4. Are your Intra-Asia and Bombay trips staffed with both U.S. based NW and foreign national FA's? And if so, what's the ratio of U.S vs. foreign national FA's onboard?

Thanks for your help...greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[jalbalpa]

4. Are your Intra-Asia and Bombay trips staffed with both U.S. based NW and foreign national FA's? And if so, what's the ratio of U.S vs. foreign national FA's onboard?

On the intra-asia flights there must be at least the purser and 1 other flight attendant on the AFA seniority list working that flight. Under the NW CBA there is actually a longitude and latitude measure where foreign based flight attendants are allowed to work.

The LOD program at NW is fairly new ans still being worked on, previously there used to be interpreters on the flights.

 

[Ava]

On the intra-asia flights there must be at least the purser and 1 other flight attendant on the AFA seniority list working that flight. Under the NW CBA there is actually a longitude and latitude measure where foreign based flight attendants are allowed to work.

The LOD program at NW is fairly new ans still being worked on, previously there used to be interpreters on the flights.

Thanks jalbalpa...

Do you know if this 1 Purser / 1 AFA FA rule applies to flights to Guam & Saipan, too?

Since they are both U.S. territories, and English is an official language, are they staffed by this mix... (foreign nationals + US based) or are they staffed by U.S. based FA's only?

Greatly appreciated...just trying to understand the system

 

[jalbalpa]

I will make it easy for you...

http://nwaafa.org/contract/index

Tho whole NWA contract is listed there!

 

[Ava]

I will make it easy for you...

http://nwaafa.org/contract/index

Tho whole NWA contract is listed there!

Thanks, your answer to my question #4 is in there, but the rest are not...

 

[justanadd]

Thanks, your answer to my question #4 is in there, but the rest are not...

Trips vary from month to month but the common crew has been DTW. Trips are 6-8 days.

US-Asia-US (excluding Guam & Saipan) are IFSR's plus LOD(s). US-ATL is LOD(s) only.

This is most current I could find
Cantonese
German
French
Hindi
Japanese
Korean
Mandarin
Tagalog

 

[Ava]

Thanks justanadd, that was nice of you!

Now that we are swapping some of our trips with each other's aircrafts & flight crews during the transition period, I'm just trying to understand how these flights might be staffed,
like the NW Tokyo-Guam and Amsterdam-Bombay flights which will be on the 767 instead of the A330.

Are the Guam/Saipan trips from Tokyo currently staffed with all US-Based FA's? all Pacific FA's (foreign nationals?) or are they still staffed with the 2 US-Based + foreign nationals like the rest of the intra-Asia flights?... since no language FA's are needed.
I'm assuming that these flights will be staffed with an entire Delta crew since it's on a 767 and the Pacific division FA's are not qualified on that aircraft yet ???

Currently, we don't have foreign national FA's at Delta, so I'm trying to understand their operation.
You have 2 foreign national FA bases: Pacific division and India division, right?

Is the Bombay flight from Amsterdam staffed like the intra-asia flights, where there are 2 US-Based FA's (Purser + Regular FA) + Indian foreign nationals? Are there LOD's from the U.S. on top of that?

I appreciate your help!

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on behalf of the Delta FA side!

We're quite excited about joining the two FA workforces, since we'll all get an even more increased variety of working trips...we'll get to finally work/see more of the Far East, Canada and the Midwest and you'll get to see more of Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa! So exciting! Looking forward to the change!

 

[Dignity]

Thanks justanadd, that was nice of you!

Now that we are swapping some of our trips with each other's aircrafts & flight crews during the transition period, I'm just trying to understand how these flights might be staffed,
like the NW Tokyo-Guam and Amsterdam-Bombay flights which will be on the 767 instead of the A330.

Are the Guam/Saipan trips from Tokyo currently staffed with all US-Based FA's? all Pacific FA's (foreign nationals?) or are they still staffed with the 2 US-Based + foreign nationals like the rest of the intra-Asia flights?... since no language FA's are needed.
I'm assuming that these flights will be staffed with an entire Delta crew since it's on a 767 and the Pacific division FA's are not qualified on that aircraft yet ???

Currently, we don't have foreign national FA's at Delta, so I'm trying to understand their operation.
You have 2 foreign national FA bases: Pacific division and India division, right?

Is the Bombay flight from Amsterdam staffed like the intra-asia flights, where there are 2 US-Based FA's (Purser + Regular FA) + Indian foreign nationals? Are there LOD's from the U.S. on top of that?

I appreciate your help!

I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have on behalf of the Delta FA side!

We're quite excited about joining the two FA workforces, since we'll all get an even more increased variety of working trips...we'll get to finally work/see more of the Far East, Canada and the Midwest and you'll get to see more of Europe, South America, the Middle East and Africa! So exciting! Looking forward to the change!

Hi Ava(that is a lovely name)

we do not have Indian Nationals or an India Inflight Service division, the flights to Mumbai are staffed with (1) US Purser and US FA crew, to my best knowledge there have not been any LOD positions for India flights(at this time).

since we are flying our pre-merger aircraft, I would assume that would imply DAL FAs would fly their equipment regardless of where it is deployed during the transition.

The Pacfic Inflight Service division is made up of several bases in Asia, actually quite a few(it is not just a base) it is a very well organized and quite substancial operation complimenting US Inflight Service, however all Intra Asia will be assigned a US Purser and at least 1 US FA(sometimes more)

I have not flown Guam in quite a number of years, if I am remembering correctly it was a DC10 and staffed with an entire US FA crew out of NRT, I do not recall any foreign nationals assigned at that time as it has been a while(but there may have been a TYO FA onboard..) because we flew the 747 to NRT layover and then six of us(US FAs) continued on the DC10 to GUM, back to NRT(joined another US FAs crew) and then back to the US on the 747. I believe the HNL base is assigned flights from NRT to GUM at this time..
Flying all the other Intra-Asia there are always Pacific Flight Attendants and they are quite efficient and professional.

 

[Ava]

Aw...Thanks Dignity, now that makes 2 people that find my name lovely...you and my mother, lol

Your input was very helpful, Thank you!

Looking forward to flying with wonderful people like you!

How about to Sydney?...lol! (Pretty cool, huh?)

IMO NW & Delta are a perfect match...a massive complement of trips for FA's to choose from!

I'm sure I'll have more questions...just excited to fly to new places with new faces!

 

[starlight]

Ava, I am a MSP based purser and I have done a lot of "south" flying (this is what we call it- south and west of NRT). The Guam and Saipan turns out of NRT are primarily done with US based crews along with pacific based flight attendants who speak a variety of languages. The GUM and SPN layovers are done with mixed crews- as mentioned 1 US purser, 1 US FA and the rest are pacific based flight attendants. You will love working with asia based flight attendants- they are very professional and take their work very seriously. There is a MCL or main cabin lead who organizes the service in main cabin and helps with any cultural issues. They are wonderful! When we mix crews (US base and pacific base) we bid duty positions in straight date of hire seniority with the exception of the purser.
So you see, this date of hire thing is very common for us!

Now, I have a question for you- why do you call the FA in charge a "flight leader?" I, personally, am hoping that the new Delta will choose to go with the term "purser." Purser is the industry standard for the cabin crew person in charge. Flight Leader WILL NOT be recognized in Asia! :unsure:

There will be many changes ahead, for sure. Good luck to all of us!

 

[Ava]

Ava, I am a MSP based purser and I have done a lot of "south" flying (this is what we call it- south and west of NRT). The Guam and Saipan turns out of NRT are primarily done with US based crews along with pacific based flight attendants who speak a variety of languages. The GUM and SPN layovers are done with mixed crews- as mentioned 1 US purser, 1 US FA and the rest are pacific based flight attendants. You will love working with asia based flight attendants- they are very professional and take their work very seriously. There is a MCL or main cabin lead who organizes the service in main cabin and helps with any cultural issues. They are wonderful! When we mix crews (US base and pacific base) we bid duty positions in straight date of hire seniority with the exception of the purser.
So you see, this date of hire thing is very common for us!

Now, I have a question for you- why do you call the FA in charge a "flight leader?" I, personally, am hoping that the new Delta will choose to go with the term "purser." Purser is the industry standard for the cabin crew person in charge. Flight Leader WILL NOT be recognized in Asia! :unsure:

There will be many changes ahead, for sure. Good luck to all of us!

Hi starlight, Thanks for the explanation! Greatly appreciated!

I'm assuming since one of the GUM trips will be on the Delta 767, that it will only consist of pre-merger Delta FA's, since the NW Pacific FA's aren't qualified on that aircraft. Can't wait to find out which Delta base will be working the trip. Can you tell I'm excited to do the "South & West of NRT trips?" lol!

It's like being a kid in a candy store when it comes to choosing trips as a Delta FA. We've got so many unique, fascinating, and new destinations around the globe! And now with NW, we'll be able to see the Far East in more depth, since we cut back our East Asia flying in the late 90's. I'm sure you'll love all the new destinations, too!

I couldn't agree with you more! In fact, the last I heard, we were going to adapt to the NW "Purser" terminology. It does sound much more universally accepted. For the past many years at Delta, we've changed the title, like 50 times, lol! From what I can recall, the title has varied from: Flight Attendant in Charge, Customer Service Coordinator, Inflight Leader, Onboard Leader, Inflight Coordinator, A position FA, Lead Flight Attendant, Flight Leader, to name a few, so it just depends on the year, lol!

There most definitely will be change, but I do think it will be for the better/best for both groups to become that 1 GREAT AIRLINE! lol

Thanks again!

 

[Dignity]

I couldn't agree with you more! In fact, the last I heard, we were going to adapt to the NW "Purser" terminology. It does sound much more universally accepted. For the past many years at Delta, we've changed the title, like 50 times, lol! From what I can recall, the title has varied from: Flight Attendant in Charge, Customer Service Coordinator, Inflight Leader, Onboard Leader, Inflight Coordinator, A position FA, Lead Flight Attendant, Flight Leader, to name a few, so it just depends on the year

it is probably a good idea to adapt "Purser". as Flight Leader... for example could imply Captain to a Passenger who may be unfamiliar with that term.

for the most part, especially in Asia the "Lead" is always referred to as Purser(as in much of the world).

 

[Ava]

Hi...I've got some questions about bases.

About how many years does it take before one can hold a line AT EACH of the NW FA bases?
(BOS/DTW/HNL/LAX/MEM/MSP/NYC/SEA/SFO)

And

As far as base transfers, which bases are the easiest/hardest to get into these days?
Can you rank them in order from easiest to hardest to get into? (BOS/DTW/HNL/LAX/MEM/MSP/NYC/SEA/SFO)

Thank you.

 

[Rubyslippers]

Ava, I am a MSP based purser and I have done a lot of "south" flying (this is what we call it- south and west of NRT). The Guam and Saipan turns out of NRT are primarily done with US based crews along with pacific based flight attendants who speak a variety of languages. The GUM and SPN layovers are done with mixed crews- as mentioned 1 US purser, 1 US FA and the rest are pacific based flight attendants. You will love working with asia based flight attendants- they are very professional and take their work very seriously. There is a MCL or main cabin lead who organizes the service in main cabin and helps with any cultural issues. They are wonderful! When we mix crews (US base and pacific base) we bid duty positions in straight date of hire seniority with the exception of the purser.
So you see, this date of hire thing is very common for us!

Now, I have a question for you- why do you call the FA in charge a "flight leader?" I, personally, am hoping that the new Delta will choose to go with the term "purser." Purser is the industry standard for the cabin crew person in charge. Flight Leader WILL NOT be recognized in Asia! :unsure:

There will be many changes ahead, for sure. Good luck to all of us!

 

[Rubyslippers]

I wish us all well as you all do. I'm not senior enough to fly any of these trips, but as a reserve I've flown all of them at Northwest over the last 10 years. I also look forward to the changes and the merger as a whole.

My only concern is whether or not we are able to retain a contract. We are all professionals and do deserve an Industry Leading contract. I expect wonderful things to happen for our New Delta as the world's largest and premier airline. We all deserve a seat at the table and a voice in our great future. This economic downturn wont last forever.

Great questions and answers above.