Leader of the World’s Largest Flight Attendant Union Won’t Fly the 737 MAX … Yet
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
The leader of the world’s largest flight attendant’s union the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Sara Nelson has doubts about flying on the Boeing 737 MAX until it is put through its paces to get back in the air.
“If tomorrow were that first flight I can tell you definitively no,” she said Monday in a podcast with The Points Guy on the Talking Points podcast. “[After] the very deliberative process for certifying that plane, if they take all of those steps, then yes, I’d be willing to get on that flight.”
Other industry leaders, including the CEOs of both American Airlines and United Airlines, have said they will fly on the MAX once it is re-certified by regulators.
The 737 MAX was grounded in March after two fatal crashes that took 346 lives. The Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS, has been cited as a possible factor in both incidents.
Global regulators, including the Federal Aviation Administration, are working on the process the aircraft will have to go through to be re-certified. That process will include a software update to MCAS, and potentially other systems. It is expected to include additional training for pilots.
However, the reputations of both the FAA and Boeing have taken a hit from the MAX grounding, said Nelson.
“We’re finding that out, that Boeing was a very arrogant company that really was allowed to call the shots all the time,” she said. “I’m hearing a real different tone from them now. A much more chastened tone.”
Nelson also addressed efforts to unionize flight attendants at Delta Air Lines.
“There’s a very large percentage of Delta flight attendants who have wanted to gain a union for many, many years,” she said in the podcast. “What we have found through all of those organizing campaigns is that the reason that you think that, it’s a shiny happy place is because the only voice that’s coming out of Delta is management’s voice.”
You can play this episode of Talking Points above, or wherever you get your podcasts. Please make sure to subscribe, rate and review!
Featured image by Natalie Roe / TPGFeatured image by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first three months. Offer ends 7/28/21.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $200 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Limited Time Offer: Plus, get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74%. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.