People who work for airlines have jobs that enable everyone else to travel around with the endless days of ground transportation that it would take to cover the same distances. The ease of travel that fliers experience isn’t indicative of safe working conditions for employees. In fact, airline employees have some very serious risks that they face on a daily basis.
Flight attendants are one of the many jobs in the airline industry. These individuals cater to the comfort and safety of the passengers. Oftentimes, they put their own comfort and safety on the line for the passengers.
One risk that many passengers don’t think about is the risk of the flight attendant getting sick. Travelers sometimes don’t think much about getting on a plane when they have a cold, the flu or some other illness. Since the cabin is so small on planes, flight attendants are exposed to countless germs, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens on every shift. They might become sick, but inoculations might help reduce this likelihood.
Another risk comes from the movement of the plane while it is in the air. Flight attendants can fall or spill hot liquids. This could lead to an injury. Additionally, there is a chance that a passenger or piece of luggage might fall on the flight attendant, which could lead to serious injuries.
Flight attendants also face risks from violent passengers, long hours on their feet and the repetitive motions that come with the job. In all of these cases, incidents and injuries might mean they need medical care and have to miss work. Claims for workers’ compensation might be forthcoming in these cases.
Source: Concentra, “How to Keep Airline Employees Safe in a New Workplace Climate,” Nekea Valentine-Bryant, accessed Jan. 12, 2018