Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways’ flight attendants are threatening to cut back drink service, and even stop smiling, if the company doesn’t agree to a 5% pay raise.
Hmm, no liquor and surly service. In America, I think we call that “flying any US-based air carrier on a typical day” (other than Virgin America, who’s too new to be jaded).
The airline industry in America seems to pride itself on lousy customer service and a bad attitude, with high (remarkably similar across multiple airlines) prices to boot. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they gave out awards for employee who is the biggest jerk to customers each month. Thanks to help from Congress, the US industry remains noncompetitive and flat out nasty.
While service is famously high on many Asian airlines, treating customers like dirt in the US is just another day.
The Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants Union will soon announce when the action approved in the vote will be carried out, General Secretary Tsang Kwok-fung said.
“We may not provide alcoholic drinks to our passengers, or we may not even provide meals to passengers,” in which case the union would advise travelers to bring their own food and drinks, said Tsang.
Limited service could also include withholding smiles and greetings from passengers.
“We cannot smile because of the situation, because of how the company treats us,” Tsang said.
In all fairness, this is a union dispute. But still. This does sound like a good day on a US-based airline.
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