Flight attendants save lives. Stop asking them to work for free.

Recent aviation accident Japan once again highlighted the incredible efficiency and teamwork of flight crews in responding to emergencies.

The series of events on Japan Airlines Flight 516 must have been terrifying for the nearly 400 passengers on board. Usual landing Followed With a loud bang, the Airbus A350 collided with another plane on the runway, causing an explosion and fire that ignited the still-speeding aircraft.

At the time of the collision, JAL Flight 516's landing speed may have been reduced to 160 mph, but not significantly. video Footage taken from inside the plane showed the fire growing by the minute and the plane flying at considerable speed in an attempt to stop as quickly as possible.

During all of this, airline training was taking place, with the lead flight attendant communicating with the other nine flight attendants about next steps, and any limited information that may have been provided from the flight deck at the time of the aircraft's departure. I told you. The speed will be slower.

While the plane was still moving, flight attendants were also loudly instructing passengers on the next steps in the evacuation process. Flight crew members are trained to remain calm and give specific evacuation instructions to passengers to avoid panic. Once the aircraft came to a halt and the emergency exits opened, chutes were deployed and a quick process ensued to remove everyone from the burning plane without any passengers on board. Stop To grab their big baggage (a bad trend these days).

In other words, these “emergency evacuation specialists” carry out their duties, I helped everyone get off the plane. within 100 seconds. This is just the latest act of heroism by air crew members and is reminiscent of what happened in 2005. Air France 358 The accident occurred when the driver was unable to stop on a rain-soaked runway. The plane went off the runway, broke into pieces, and a fire quickly broke out. Shortly before the plane exploded, the flight crew helped get his 297 passengers off within two minutes.

gate agent required 40 minutes To board a plane, this amazing flight attendant can get everyone off the plane Less than 100 secondsEven if some exits are blocked and visibility is limited.

When you're traveling and see passengers snapping their fingers and demanding their next drink, it's tempting to pick up your iPad and smack them over the head. These highly trained airline professionals have one job to do when we fly. It's not about bringing drinks; save our tails In case of emergency. I'd like to say the disrespect is limited to the passengers, but airline management is delivering an even bigger slap in the face to these men and women.

Amazingly, many of these flight attendants are unpaid while keeping us safe. They literally work for free To protect us.

most airlines just pay Once the plane door closes, the flight attendants continue until the door opens at the arrival airport. For many flight attendants, the time it takes for passengers to board and disembark is an unpaid period, even if they are at the exit exit during an emergency evacuation.

In 2022, a fire broke out on United Airlines Flight 1658 as it arrived at the gate in Denver, prompting flight attendants to respond. To seek refuge Some of the passengers exited through the rear emergency exit. Although there was no loss of life, many airlines would have had flight attendants trained to protect passengers on duty around the clock.

Some airlines are dealt with This is achieved by offering flight attendants a portion of their hourly wage during the boarding and deplaning process. Partially provided? Isn't it just as important to keep us safe when the door is closed as it is when it's open? This pathetic attempt by airline management to deal with this situation has gone far enough. has not achieved any results.

The final insult to this story is Average joining salary For flight attendants, it's $30,000 to $40,000. Some American Airlines flight attendants are paid very little. get a qualification For food stamps in Massachusetts.

How can we allow this injustice to continue when the entire government is focused on holding airlines accountable? These men and women are on a mission to save lives, and yet… many of them They will work 30 to 40 hours a month for free while stationed at a safety post in flight.

Since the collapse of Continental 3407 In Buffalo in February 2009, the industry great progress While we have worked to improve aviation safety, pilot pay, crew rest time, and crew training, flight attendants have been ignored in the process. It's time to recognize the important work of essential airline employees and stop asking them to work for free.

Jay Ratliff spent more than 20 years in management at Northwest/Republic Airlines, including as aviation general manager. He is an aviation analyst for his iHeart.