Earlier I wrote about the 13,000+ United Airlines workers who will be furloughed today. Meanwhile, over at American Airlines 19,000 will lose their jobs. One flight attendant was captured on video offering a particularly poignant goodbye to passengers during what now appears to be her final flight as working for American Airlines.
Flight Attendant Says Goodbye On American Airlines
Breaunna Ross has had a brief but satisfying career at American Airlines. Sadly, she does not have the seniority to hang on to her position and is one of the thousands who will be furloughed today by AA absent rapid intervention by Congress and the White House.
As she touched down in Dallas – Fort Worth (DFW) from Jacksonville (JAX) on Sunday after what was probably her final flight as an AA flight attendant, she welcomed passengers to Dallas, provided the arrival time, gate, and baggage carousel info. But she did not stop there. She went on to share some personal thoughts. A colleague who sat next to her captured them:
“As all of you know the airline industry has been impacted greatly by this global pandemic. Our routes and flying have been significantly reduced, resulting in our company having an overage in staff. For myself and one other crew member on our flight today, this means we’ll be furloughed Oct. 1 and unfortunately, this was my last working flight before that day comes. I will never forget seeing your faces today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness shown on today’s flight…
“I also want to personally thank each and every one of you for choosing to fly American today. This job was an escape for me after being unhappy with my job after graduating from college. It was a job that awarded me many opportunities. A job that I fell in love with. I have been to places I thought I’d never have the opportunity to go and places I never knew existed. I’ve met people from all walks of life and made friendships that will last the rest of my life…
“With so much happening in the world, you never know how small actions can impact the next person. Please be kind to one another, practice compassion with everyone and live with acceptance of yourself and others.
“Until I see you guys in the friendly skies again, please take care of yourself and your health. I hope all of you have a wonderful night and again, thank you for flying with us.”
The cabin broke into applause. Many personally thanked Ross for her kind words. One person donated to charity on her behalf:
Posted by Breaunna Ross on Sunday, September 27, 2020
Another apparently slipped her some money.
She later told USA Today:
“I realize it may take years to get the airline industry back to what it was. When that glorious day comes, I hope I can still fit my uniform! When the time comes, I will gladly pin my wings on again and come back to work with a very grateful heart.”
CONCLUSION
It’s a sad time in the airline industry and I shared this story to highlight that every worker has a story. Anyone who loves her job as much as Ross will soon find another career to excel at. I’m confident of that. And in the meantime, let’s indeed practice compassion and be kind to one another.
That is the type of person you want to keep in your company. Wishing her the best.
Very true. If I was AA I would certainly go find her when they hire again.
PRAYING FOR YOU!! ON 28 OF THIS MONTH I WILL BE FLYING WITH AAIRLINES.
Friendly skies? Isn’t that a United saying?
Anyway, a very sweet farewell and I wish the best for her.
I am a Flight Attendant as well. How proud she made me when I watched her video, they she flew from us, AA. She was sincere with her words and genuinely loves her job. I have been with American over 33 years and still love flying. It’s a very unique job, with plenty of responsibilities but being kind and thoughtful is at the top of the list. I wish the very best for all 8,100 FA’s who were furloughed, but I’m confident they’ll return Back to flying with us soon. What a special message she gave, it did bring me To tears. Thanks for publicly posting.
Lord touch her and the many that are laid off. I was in tears as listening to her. I’m TeamAA as well and I feel for those who was furloughed. I’m praying they will be back before they know it ❤
Thanks for sharing, Matthew. Class and smarts–American’s loss.
I have been through this as well. Deregulation killed many airlines and with that many employees lost their jobs. My heart goes out to all those affected. You will survive this because you are strong, smart and beautiful!
That’s the heart speaking, what a wonderful way to address your costumers from deep inside .
Unbelievable!
So cool!!!!
Very sad hearing this but I have no compassion for the airlines. They have fleeced the American public with ever increasing fees and decreasing customer service. Initially instituted over 10 years ago as a hedge against fuel cost BUT NEVER REMOVED after fuel prices fell. I am very happy to see these airlines failing and I hope that Congress doesnt bail them out. Perhaps other airlines will enter the market who care about their customers and are not greedy corporate bastards. DONT FLY LET THEM DIE!!!!!
There’s a super special place for heartless ppl like yourself!!! When karma bites you just remember this comment!
I’m sorry you feel that way, but those are people that you are throwing under the bus. I also work for the airlines, and I have been proud to do so for 25 years. In every industry you have bad apples, and from the tone of your letter, you sound like one of the bad apples in yours.
Great piece!! Thanks Matthew, these positive articles are a welcome diversion! Thank you!
If I were the FA, I would have liked a little cash instead of a Make A Wish Foundation donation made in my name.
Unfortunately, the pandemic affected not only this FA but millions of others. Many people are trying to mitigate their economic problems. I hope Breaunna, the FA, survives the pandemic in reasonably good shape.
Oh, Breaunna, the FA, used United’s motto about flying the friendly skies! No, American Airlines’ is “Something Special in the Air” (old), “Our Favorite Destination is Yours”, and “We Fly So You Can Soar”.
@derek-you forgot ‘going for great’ (sarcasm, btw,…)
Yes Derek, you are a total sarcastic, uncaring individual that could take note about what words, hurtful as it may to others is disrespectful. Grow up!!!!!
This girl shall come back on the wings of the wind!!!! The sky is the limit for such a lovely person. God is watching over you my dear❤️
I wrote ” I hope Breaunna, the FA, survives the pandemic in reasonably good shape.”
You want me to write ” I hope Breaunna, the FA, dies in the pandemic or in reasonably bad shape.”? NO!!!!! Wishing Breaunna the best!
Thanks , for being very classy and spreading love not Hate . Even in this personal trying time for you. The World needs more Positive people like you. And life will reward you 100 times over. Peace and blessings Breonna.
I remember a commercial that the jingle was “we’re American Airlines doing what we do best” as for a horrible CEO, bad management from the top down, guaranteed misery to anyone in coach I’d say they are. I hope this woman finds a better job and never returns or even flys American. She deserves better to.
Dear Flying Partner, Breanna…you touched my heart. Thank you! And to your seatmate also for recording this. How beautiful and sincere….and professional. I would have loved to share your j/s! I left AA early only bc I had insurance. And bc I wanted to save another f/a job. You’re young, smart, beautiful, sentient woman. Be positive. It will take some time….but you’ll be back!! And I hope to non rev on your flight! Xoxo kirsten
Thanks Matthew for covering this, unlike other bloggers who tend to only cover credit card sales pitches or Avianca LifeMiles sales pitches at this difficult time.
My thoughts are with those impacted.
Warm story about a grateful person. Thanks for sharing!
I work at the Philadelphia International Airport where my company is contracted by American Airlines as one of their janitorial services, we have all stood quietly and shared in the sadness as American has been forced to make some very hard decisions to layoff and furlough their employees. The local American management here in Philly and CEO Doug Parker has tried so very hard to be retain all their employees; as well as their contracted vendors, I feel no one here has ever been treated like a number, American has shown nothing but compassion and support in all the meetings I’ve attended. I am extremely fortunate to be a part of this Philly team; proudly supported and led by American’s PHL Hub Manager; Mr. James Moses, I am so appreciative that myself and all my employees are still working during these very discouraging times. I hope and pray each night that the world we all knew returns to what it once was, where everyone can flourish and never look back at this Pandemic that has hurt us all. We must all have hope and get through this together, I am saddened for everyone that has lost their jobs that I have come to see and know on a daily basis at PHL; and I say that with all sincerity. All of us believe in a Higher Being of our choice, may they all come together and see us through this …..so we can all rejoice as one and enjoy all that Life has to offer.
The sooner we unite and stand up against the compulsory face masks, the sooner the industry will recover.
Yes, the cure to the pandemic is to go naked. Start putting on clothes and you’ll get sick. Put on a mask and you’re at risk for the ICU or death.
NO! The Japanese have long worn masks during cold and flu season and it works! They use real surgical masks, not this flimsy cloth stuff with gaps around the nose. Surgical masks are no longer in short supply. Wear those!
I don’t know you but your story was very touching and I appreciate all of you there are in the are taking care of us when we are flying I wish you well and I pray that God keeps you spoke to him and be blessed good for your heart
Travel, changes everything.
For the love of God, how do we keep going on while our world keeps falling apart thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, while in China things are back to normal? What China did to thevworld should be considered an act of war. They permited the virus to reach Europe and the Americas by allowing flights to leave from Wuhan, while their own local borders were already closed due to their pandemic. Why nobody is talking about the only country responsible for all the disgrace to our countries economies and the millions of deaths all over?
I have great respect for the flight attendant who spoke for so many Aviaton, Cruise line, transportation and tourism employees whose lives have been so drastically changed. I pray for an industry that I love and people I admire. We are palm trees indeed:)
This message is as good as Jesus’ sermon on the Mount. Deeply touching!! I have no doubt a better opportunity is just on the way for Breaunna. Keep the spirit!!!!
This message really touched me. I worked at Delta Air Lines for 7 years here in The Bahamas but left to start my own business. But there is something about working in the airline industry that we just love. I felt Breaunna’s heart as she spoke; actually it moved me to tears. I pray that God will grant her the desires of her heart and hasten the time that she will once again be in the industry she loves. Godspeed my dear sister.
Beautifully done ✅ Trust that God will keep you and many others covered throughout this dreadful time.
I can assure you, Breaunna Ross will not be without employment for long. I would hope that her thoughts expressed, would be a comfort and encourage to all. Her speech is a reflection of a warm heart, that cares deeply for others.
What a great lady. So much grace. Its refreshing to see true goodness.