So this debate has come up in chat a lot lately.... So basically, do you think airline employees should get the benefits they do like flying for free on empty seats that the airline has left over? Moreover, here are the benefits a typical employee gets working for an airline, now:
- Flying Domestically in Coach: Free
- Flying Domestically in First or Business: Small charge, usually just enough to cover food and other minuscule costs around $20 to $30.
- Flying Internationally in Coach: Charges are only the taxes of you leaving the country (Typically $30 - $150)
- Flying Internationally in First or Business: Charges include taxes and minuscule food and leisure costs (Typically $70 to $200).
So now, I agree that Airline Employees should get these benefits because:
- The job security and outlook is always unknown, layoffs can come unexpectedly (ie. TWA F/As laid off 10 of the past 15 years)
- The pay is significantly lower than other jobs that pose the same skills and duties. (ex. Accountants an an airline get paid 35,000 a year, while working at an office typically in a private office, make upwards of $60,000)
- The benefits employees' get are concurrent to what others get in other fields of work.
- The overall costs of an employee flying are a fraction of what a regular passenger will have as you board last, take any leftover seats, take leftover meals, and have no special requests (Vegiterrean, Vegan, Kosher, Hilal).
- The air industry have been offering these benefits since the 1930s.