American Cracking Down On Flight Attendant Appearance

American Airlines will be cracking down on violations to the company’s flight attendant appearance standards. This could have some interesting implications.

American’s warning to flight attendants

As reported by View from the Wing, an American Airlines flight service manager has sent a message to flight attendants this week, warning of a new goal of 100% uniform compliance. Here’s the memo:

As we all know, uniform noncompliance is sometimes an element that goes unnoticed and isn’t addressed, effective immediately, American Airlines has a goal of achieving an environment of 100% uniform compliance through 2023.

To help you proudly represent the professional and consistent public image along with American Airlines brand, you will be seeing FSM’s walking through the terminals, positioned at KCM, or visiting Gateside aircraft to promote uniform awareness and standards.

If you happen to be observed non complained in uniform, we will approach you with follow up to include the reason for concern and a non-complaint uniform report will be sent to your FSM for follow up. For more information about American Airlines flight attendant image. Please consult the uniform and image standards located in comply 365, under my publication, collections, go to the document library under uniform, uniform stanards, and image. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

First of all, wow… the grammar and basic errors here are beyond embarrassing. How can any flight service manager expect to be taken seriously when this is how they communicate?

American will be cracking down on employee appearance in terminals

My take on American enforcing appearance standards

Appearance standards tend to be a pretty consistent issue at US airlines, with many employees not wearing uniforms the way they’re supposed to. Among the “big three” US airlines, I anecdotally find the most issues on this front at American, followed by United, followed by Delta.

If you’re going to have rules, I can appreciate that it makes sense to enforce them, because otherwise what’s the point?

At the same time, I can’t help but think that this might just be counterproductive:

• Keep in mind that American management and the flight attendant union are already undergoing contentious contract negotiations at the moment, and flight attendants are accusing management of dragging its feet
• It’s not going to be good for morale if flight attendants feel like they’re being watched at every turn, and are being written up
• This seems like a silly thing to focus on — why not instead prioritize enforcing service standards rather than appearance standards, because in my opinion that has a much bigger impact on the passenger experience?

I don’t see this initiative going over well

Bottom line

An American Airlines flight service manager sent out a memo to flight attendants, warning that 100% uniform compliance is expected in 2023. Managers will be stationing themselves at security checkpoints and in terminals, and will be writing up those not following the rules.

I can’t imagine that this will go over so well, especially given the current contract negotiations going on. To me, this seems like a strange thing to focus on, as morale at the company is already low.

What do you make of American’s appearance standards memo?