Flight Attendant’s Medical Emergency Story Highlights Unpaid Labor Concerns in Airline Industry
A harrowing medical emergency aboard a Sun Country Airlines flight on December 29th has brought renewed attention to the often-uncompensated labor expected of flight attendants. The incident, detailed in a post on Threads by a flight attendant identified as rpalm08Rachel Palm, underscores the critical role cabin crew play in passenger safety – and the financial realities of their profession.
Palm, who was serving as the lead flight attendant, reported that the flight was fully booked and preparing for departure from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) when a passenger became unresponsive, believed to be experiencing cardiac arrest. “The boarding door had just closed, and the flight bridge was being retracted, when it was identified that a female passenger was unresponsive,” Palm stated.
The crew swiftly responded, assisted by two onboard nurses. They immediately began providing aid, cutting open the passenger’s shirt to prepare an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and administer oxygen. Paramedics eventually arrived and transported the woman from the aircraft on a stretcher after she regained responsiveness.
While the successful response was a testament to the crew’s training and quick thinking, Palm faced a subsequent challenge with airline scheduling. After becoming covered in vomit during the emergency, she was informed she would be replaced on the flight and initially told her time would be considered a “sick call,” meaning she would not be paid for the scheduled hours. “After emailing my manager and director of inflight, I got pay protected for the hours I was supposed to fly!!! Very thankful for that,” Palm later shared, “however.. this post is still meant to highlight the fact that most flight crew don’t get paid for boarding (or weather delays, mechanical issues, etc.).”
The situation highlights a common practice within the airline industry: flight attendants and pilots are typically only compensated for “block time” – the period when the aircraft doors are closed and the plane is in motion. This means the significant time spent arriving at the airport, preparing the cabin, and boarding passengers is often unpaid.
This compensation model translates to a low hourly rate for many flight attendants. According to industry standards, airlines often provide a “guaranteed minimum pay” equivalent to one hour of flight time for every two hours on duty. This means a flight attendant working a 12-hour shift, but only flying for six hours, would only be paid for six hours of work.
Many crew members are advocating for a change to this system, arguing that it fails to recognize the full scope of their responsibilities. Airlines, however, maintain that current pay structures are established through collective bargaining agreements with unions. A recent lawsuit filed by an American Airlines flight attendant in Philadelphia echoes these concerns, alleging improper pay practices.
Sun Country Airlines, an American Ultra-Low-Cost Carrier based in Minneapolis, operates a fleet of 66 Boeing 737 aircraft, including 44 Boeing 737-800s configured for 186 economy class passengers (with some VIP configurations) and two Boeing 737-900ERs seating 189 passengers. The airline also operates 20 Boeing 737-300BCF aircraft for Amazon Air cargo services. From its hub at MSP, Sun Country serves 91 destinations, including 18 year-round and 72 seasonal routes, with a new nonstop service to Tulsa launching on May 21st.
The incident on the Sun Country flight serves as a stark reminder of the dedication and skill of flight attendants, and the need for a broader conversation about fair compensation for their vital work.
