Flight crews “part of the labor puzzle”

Diane Clarkson | July 28, 2008, 02:56 PM

After a couple of weeks away traveling for both holidays and work, I’m now back in San Francisco. Thankfully.

To a large extent, I have now surrendered to the chaos of air travel. My flights were all delayed, the longest by over four hours. One delay was caused by a labor contract requiring the pilots who’d arrived an hour late the night before now leave an hour later the next morning. My annoyed air travel reflex wondered why I received the delay alert shortly before scheduled departure when I was already at the airport instead of the night before. I suppressed that thought. And I noticed that other passengers helped me several times as in-flight crew watched me struggle with bags, stroller and a one year old. I must confess to casting an irritated glance at the flight attendant who told me she wasn’t allowed to store my son’s bottle in the fridge and gave me a bucket of ice.

Joe Sharkey has written a good article in the NY Times about passenger hostility and its impact on flight crews. The pilot interviewed describes the flight crew as part of the "labor puzzle".

Mr Sharkey's article follows the Miami-New York flight cancelation a couple of weeks ago after the crew arrived 75 minutes late and passengers booed (or were unruly, depending on the source).

After we have run the gauntlet to get to the gate, most air travelers are nerves are frayed. Passenger frustration will not be abating any time soon. This could be a good opportunity for airlines to turn the negative around, by offering welcome smiles and a bit of extra assistance.

This was a missed opportunity when I flew across the country with a bucket of ice balanced between my feet. Maybe next time. Deep sigh.