Many Flight Attendants Losing Jobs

By CRAIG GUSTAFSON Associated Press Writer

September 24, 2001, 3:44 AM EDT

MINNEAPOLIS -- The financial crunch that has beset the airline industry since the Sept. 11 hijackings has hit individual carriers, customers and businesses alike.

But those on the front lines -- flight attendants -- may be the most affected, said Danny Campbell, president of Teamsters Local 2000, which represents Northwest Airline's attendants.

U.S. airlines have announced about 100,000 layoffs as business fell off sharply after the terrorist attacks. Delta is the only major airline that has not announced layoffs, but it has warned cuts are looming.

Nearly 25 percent of the 11,350 flight attendant jobs at Northwest will be eliminated, although many are expected to take voluntary leaves. In comparison, the number of pilots will drop by 15 percent, mechanics by about 10 percent and ground workers by about 19 percent.

Campbell said the job losses could be disastrous for flight attendants, especially young, new hires, who tend to uproot themselves and move to a major hub city.

A typical starting attendant, whose pay is around $20,000 a year, often shares an apartment with several colleagues. Sometimes, as many as a dozen live in one place to save costs, Campbell said.

"It's a frightening time for people especially if they're just starting their career," said Paul Konrardy, 38, a Northwest flight attendant for 15 years. "What if in a year's time the industry doesn't recover? Every flight attendant in the country has that question."

For some Northwest attendants, the voluntary leaves are a relief. Cyndi Schulte, an 18-year veteran, applied for the leave.

"I feel I shouldn't be out here right now," Schulte, 43, said last week. "I look at my passengers differently. I need to take some time to regroup."

Others have decided that they must forge ahead.

After the attacks, Northwest flight attendant Peter Fiske, 37, said he also contemplated taking a break.

"But then I thought to myself, if I don't go back right away, I'm not sure I could ever go back," Fiske said. "Everybody is terrified, waiting for the other shoe to drop. They are scared. They are afraid. The trick is to look like you're not."

Before the attacks, the union and the airline had agreed on a voluntary leave of absence program to aid Northwest in its cost-cutting measures. The program allows a one- or five-month leave with medical and life insurance but no pay.

As of Friday, more than 2,300 flight attendants were in the program or had applied for a leave. Union officials say that means less than 500 flight attendants would need to be laid off involuntary.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2001