This comment is especially rude. I think of some of the very special senior F/As who represent the epitome of what our group strived for in a different era before we hired off the streets en masse and lowered our standards and profession.
I find your comment rude and ignorant. As much as the senior flight attendants are writing/posting about discrimination against ageism. US Crew you are doing the same thing to our young flight attendants with juvenile ageism. As much as I agree with you on other US Airways flight attendant issues. I must say that I disagree with you on this one.
If you happen to be a new hire or a flight attendant with 45 years seniority and can not perform a safety related duty then it is time to leave the flight attendant position/career. I personally have seen employees on both sides America West/US Airways that perform excellent within the duties and responsibilities of the in-flight position. I have also witnessed some flight attendants who struggle with closing some aircraft doors and other related duties.
I think all of us in the in-flight position would agree that if any one of us becomes unable to perform a “SAFETY RELATED DUTY†then it is our own personal obligation to step down from the in-flight position. As a flight attendant I treasure the knowledge and experience that our senior flight attendants hold. I also get exited to see our new flight attendants on the aircraft. Some of our junior flight attendants are full of excitement and curiosity in the simple task that I find mundane. The junior flight attendants always keep me stimulated and remind me of my first pair of wings, the first overnight, and “my memorable airline storyâ€.
I think that having senior flight attendants along with our new hires reminds me and others of the joy and excitement that our profession holds. Our senior flight attendants are some of the greatest storytellers I know of. Our junior flight attendants bring me back to a time of my first pair of wings.
I do not believe that our new hires are un-qualified, or that we have lowered US Airways in flight standards. Some of our new hires have advanced degrees in different fields. I think it is the tools that our in-flight trainers/and recruiters are given. One also might add that 16.00 an hour is not very lucrative when United and other “majors†are hiring with a better benefit package.
Personally, I feel it does not matter if you are old/young as long as you love the in-flight profession. However, if you are unable to perform the duties and responsibilities then its time to find something better suited for yourself. There are many positions within the company that are well suited for ex- flight attendants. I do not think that being old is a problem. The problem is if a human body can carry out the duties and responsibilities that traveling, pushing and pulling bags/aircraft doors, and daily jet lag takes on a soul.