Can you imagine Glen Tilton, United’s former CEO who repeatedly sparred with front-line employees during his tenure at UA, being featured in every onboard safety video? Never. To many, it would be like rubbing salt in a wound.
But Jeff Smisek has now taken over the helms. As he has done for years in Continental safety videos, he now begins each UA safety video:
Take a look:
This is a good sign. The many UA employees I have discussed the merger with are cautiously optimistic that with Smisek’s leadership, harmony between labor and management can once again be achieved. Importantly, expectations are not set unrealistically: FAs, for example, know that they are not going to suddenly receive a huge (or even moderate) increase in salary. Rather, they just want to be treated with respect–something that Glen Tilton, whether deliberate or not, was not able to accomplish in the eyes of the workers.
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On another matter, Cebu Pacific must have been paying attention to Air New Zealand’s successful new safety video because their safety demonstrations now feature dancing to the music of Kate Perry and Lady Gaga. Take a look:
It helps to have attractive young FAs…
Many have criticized this new safety method as lacking professionalism, but I agree with Ben: more people are going to pay attention to this one then a standard, boring safety video. Isn’t that what ultimately matters? I congratulate Cebu Pacific for their innovation, though by no means am I advocating a similar style of safety demonstrations in the United States (for reasons I don’t need to go into).
Re Cebu Pacific:
What safety video?
Young flight attendants = no unions
@Michael: Elaborate–I don’t understand!
I did say “safety demonstration” rather than “safety video” when referring to Cebu.
A joke. When I watch the video I am just watching the young lady and I don’t pay attention to what is being said.