Airlines are now looking for more grateful and loyal cabin crew

The recent situation of mass resignations and AWOLS (absent without leave) among our local airlines have prompted them to make major changes in selecting their new cabin crew. These resignations and AWOLS are brought by a number present cabin crew members, the majority of those who were rehired, who are transferring to a foreign airline. While there is nothing wrong with moving to an international carrier, there is a growing concern over the manner in how the transfer is being executed.

The harsh reality is that the AWOLS have affected the manpower requirements of our local airlines, particularly our low-cost airlines. Many of their cabin crew have been overworked. Some have been flying for 6-straight days. They have to fill the void of those cabin crew who suddenly disappeared into oblivion. In fact, some of these affected cabin crew have already filed for sick leaves due to being overworked as a result of lack of manpower. Home reserves are immediately upgraded.

In recent times, however, airlines were able to solve this problem by hiring more new flight attendants. Some also have rehired those ex cabin crew who they believe will remain loyal to the company. Airline recruiters are now prioritizing the more senior ones instead of focusing on the more juniors.

Airlines have made huge favorable changes too to their working environment. At the same time, they have adjusted their standards in choosing their new cabin crew. They do not just check on your physical side, your impact, and confidence. Our local airlines now put a lot of premium on your character and loyalty.

What brought about these changes to the cabin crew selection process

In November 2021 as travel restrictions eased, a local low-cost airline began increasing capacity. This prompted them to add more cabin crew members. Instead of hiring new flight attendants, the airline recalled their former crew, in other words, those who were retrenched. This particular airline did not accept other applications yet except for those who were retrenched due to the lockdown. Many of these crew members slowly began returning to the airline.

Other airlines followed suit. They began reactivating those who were kept on furlough. Now just for your information, a furloughed crew is like on extended unpaid leave. They still have their jobs and they are still employed, except, they are just on “inactive” status. A retrenched crew is one who was separated from the company due to downsizing reasons.

So going back, these furloughed crews were reactivated back to flying status. Then, later on, another local airline began recalling those who were retrenched.

A few months ago, a foreign airline staged a cabin crew hiring event in the country. Those who attended were cabin crew aspirants (with no experience), ex-cabin crew, and even present cabin crew (including those who were newly hired). As a result, around a thousand or more were hired. They were a mix of all but many were also present cabin crew.

Sadly though for our local airlines, many of those who are moving or have moved to this foreign airline were those who were newly rehired. Less than 6 months in service from the time they were rehired. Some were even regularized faster by their local airline. Making matters worse is the amount of AWOLS that our local airlines are experiencing.

Our local airlines are definitely not happy

According to an officer of one of our local airlines who wished not to be named “sadly, majority of those who are leaving for (foreign airline) are those who we rehired. We even prioritized their re-application so they can begin flying again sooner.”

“We now know better. There is nothing that we (airlines) can’t solve. We recently hired a lot of new flight attendants to replace them”, he said.

AirAsia Philippines Country Head of People and Culture Kirk Alimaza said, “I have accepted it already that our local aviation companies serve as training grounds for those who are interested in applying at full-service airlines in the future. After the bond period, they are bound to explore. I have no issues and am very supportive since they could earn more and it’s for their career growth.”

“What saddens me is how these crew seemingly neglect the company where they started their career and fulfill their dreams- don’t observe the notice period, go on AWOL, and the like,” he continued.

This article talks about why these cabin crew chose to go on AWOL.

Airlines don’t mind you moving airlines, but just do it properly

Local airlines do not stop their cabin crew from moving to international airlines. However, they just want things done properly, especially by following the 1 to 3 months notification period. Cabin crew members are also constantly reminded about these as not following such can cause flight disruptions or undermanned flights.

However, amidst these reminders, some of these cabin crew transferring to the foreign airline still do not follow. “In AirAsia alone, for us to prevent any flight disruptions due to the alarming number of immediate resignations we receive, I sent them an email that I am happy that they are being accepted to the airline of their choice.

“However, there is always a right process. I have reiterated that should they start the process of recruitment to the other airline, they can already file their resignation. If the result is not favorable, they can revoke it anytime. The doors of AirAsia are still open to accept them. But some are still filing such”, said Kirk Alimaza

What changes were made

The majority of our local airlines no longer prioritize the reapplication of their crew who were retrenched. Instead, airlines are now recruiting both former and new cabin crew at the same time. The only difference would be in the training, depending also on how long a rehired cabin crew has not been flying. In most cases, rehired cabin crew go through requalification training. It depends really on how long they have not been flying.

Airlines have also adjusted their standards, giving a strong focus on a person’s character. They are now looking for those who put importance on respect, loyalty, and gratitude, the type who will most likely stay long.

“I guess what we need to put first in mind when hiring for cabin crew is if they know the value of respect. The aviation industry may be big but there might be a point in their lives that they would need the assistance of their former ‘airline’ employer”, said Kirk Alimaza.

Less focus on establishing themselves first

I have been wondering if it’s got something with today’s generation but according to a local airline officer, the majority of their cabin crew who decided to leave their airline for a foreign one were those who were rehired. Minimal of them are senior cabin crew who have been long with the airline.

I remember years ago, having too many companies in the resumes was a total disadvantage. Like 6 months dito, 6 months doon. I remember when I moved to a new company after working for my first for just 6 months, the company I was applying for asked so many questions about why I only stayed 6 months. It was a huge issue for companies back then. I am not aware of it still today, but I guess after this incident, airlines will now look at how long one has stayed with their previous company. Employees with the tendency to jump ship left and right are no longer wanted.

According to Becca Manale, Operations and Marketing Head of Golden Success Flight Attendant School, “today’s generation tend to focus more on their short term plans and less of what’s in for the long run. They put more weight on what will benefit them more.”

Perhaps, this is why many of those present cabin crew who have chosen to transfer to the foreign airline are rehires, and not much of the more senior crew. Some even took a bigger risk of going on AWOL, burning bridges with their previous local airline and perhaps, all airlines based in the Philippines.

Is there still hope that this can change?

To be honest, trying to change the decisions and mindset of these cabin crew involved is useless. Suntok sa buwan. It’s just like wishing you’d be the next jackpot winner of the lotto. They will even argue out their decision and there is nothing we can do about it.

However, I believe that there is hope from our newly hired cabin crew, upcoming and future flight attendants, and our aspirants.

There is nothing wrong with transferring to foreign airlines, but please do it with respect to the policies of your previous airline that first gave you your wings.

Except if you need to move sooner to a foreign airline primarily due to financial needs, I encourage all aspirants to stay long with your first local airlines and establish yourselves first. It may even be of greater advantage than you stay long first with your first airline before thinking of transferring even if the opportunity is already right in front of you. Why?

• You get to build more experience with your local airline which will be an advantage later on if you decide to transfer
• If you have a good record with your first airline, they may even end up endorsing and leaving a good word about you should you decide to later on transfer to the international airline.
• If the new airline sees that you stayed with the previous company for a long period, they will get the impression that you will also be a loyal employee who envisions a long-term career with them. That’s a plus.
• As a cabin crew, there is nothing like aiming to climb up from a junior crew to a senior to a lead crew to a flight purser. Plus points again should you decide to move to an international airline later on.
• It’s good for your personal growth. You will be molded by your airline, you will be trained to be a leader, and you may even go up the corporate ladder like as a crew manager and so on.

Follow your heart with caution and consideration

Decision-making is a 50-50 thing, 50% heart and 50% mind. It is okay to follow your heart but please do it with consideration and respect for others. The opportunity to work for an international airline will always be there. You need not hurry things too much where you end up burning bridges. While an offer or opportunity to work for an international airline may suddenly come even if you were newly hired by your current airline, it’s always best to discern well.

If you are newly hired and the money is not of immediate issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible, I encourage please try to stay longer with your airline first and consider establishing yourself first. Gain experience. Try to become a senior and a leader later on.

Also, consider the fact that your local airline took a risk by hiring you because they believe that you will be a long-term asset to the company. No airline likes those who jump ship easily unless they also see you as short-term use too.

I am not writing this to impose on your future, everything is still up to you. I just hope to enlighten all our newly hired flight attendants, upcoming flight attendants, and aspirants, to follow your heart and think well at the same time when making a decision. Give consideration also to the airline that has first given you your wings and experience. That is indeed something priceless.

Tips and advice for all our aspirants

Now that you know the current situation of what has been happening and the changes made by the airlines, here are some tips and advice also when you apply.

1. Airlines prefer to see that you have stayed with one airline long rather than seeing multiple airlines with only short tenures. So please do not think that working for different airlines in a short period with a tenure of 6 months or shorter is an advantage. It is not. They would rather see that you have stayed long with a certain company.
2. If you say something, make sure you do it. Be transparent. Airlines also check on your integrity. So if you say that you have plans to stay in the company long, then please do.
3. Please make sure that you are cleared from your previous company. Make sure that you have exited well. If the local airline finds out you have a case of AWOL, they will automatically not accept you. So please exit well.
4. Do not hide anything. Declare all your previous jobs on your resume. Our local airlines do background checks. They have a way to find out if there was something you did not declare.

Last but not least, do not forget that day when you fell in line for a long time to be in the airline you now fly for or will be flying for. Do not forget the intense recruitment process. Pinaghirapan ninyo yan, so you might as well grow with them.

Again, I am not writing this to impose on you, but instead to enlighten you with hopes that the situation that our airlines are experiencing does not happen again with regards to those cabin crew going on AWOL and jumping ship.

Be the catalyst of change. All our present cabin crew and airlines are looking forward to you!