JetBlue Airways offers a $1,000 attendance bonus for flight attendants who won’t call out through early January. This is the latest effort by an airline to prevent staffing shortages during holidays.
JetBlue’s flight attendants can get the incentive by having perfect attendance from November 22 to January 5. Plus, they need to work at least 100 credit hours. In addition to this, crew members get confirmed seats on planes to reach their flights. But for those who will call out sick, they will need to show a doctor’s note for their absences.
Head of customer care and programs, Ed Baklor, wrote in a note: “After a long period away from family and friends, our Customers have been telling us they’re ready to travel and they are counting on us to deliver, Crewmembers and leadership alike”. He added that “To prepare for the holiday hustle while also recognizing our commitment and support to protecting the operation through the holidays, we’re launching a one-time holiday rewards program to thank Crewmembers who fly their trips and do not call out”.
Attendance Bonus to Avoid Staffing Shortages
Airlines are preparing for the surge of travelers this year as many canceled their in-person celebrations last year.
The Transportation Security Administration estimates around 20 million passengers traveling for Thanksgiving 2021. But with what we’ve seen in the past months, staffing shortage is an issue among airlines. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, airlines have 34,000 fewer workers now. Airlines have no wiggle room making it tricky for their entire operations.
Spirit, Southwest, and American Airlines experienced major cancelations in recent months. With tight schedules, bad weather could complicate their staffing.
Incentives Cost Less
JetBlue isn’t the only airline offering workers incentives to go to work during the holidays. Southwest offered flight attendants 120,000 Rapid Rewards points if they meet the required attendance during holidays. That’s equivalent to $1,400 in attendance bonuses.
American Airlines, on the other hand, announced that flight attendants can get at least 150% pay when they work on peak holiday trips. Plus, they can even get triple pay if they meet American Airlines’ attendance requirement.
American Airlines also announced that they are offering $1,000 bonuses for other staff at its regional airline subsidiaries.
However, despite the attendance bonuses and other incentives, the pilots union rejected American’s offer. Instead, they want permanent improvement on how the airline sets its schedule.
