A major flight attendants' union has issued a stern warning to its members about using their free or reduced-fare travel benefits while on sick leave or other protected absences. The Association of Flight Attendants (AFA) chapter for Endeavor Air, a regional carrier operating Delta Connection flights, sent an email alerting cabin crew to a recent increase in disciplinary investigations.
"We have seen a significant increase in investigatory meetings related to pass travel violations in recent weeks," the union stated in the communication, seen by Business Insider. It specifically highlighted "multiple cases where Flight Attendants have utilized pass travel after calling out sick or while on [family and medical leave] or other approved leave."
Strict Policy on Travel Benefits
Pass travel, a common industry perk, allows airline employees and their registered family members to fly for free or at a heavily discounted rate on a standby basis. However, the Endeavor Air flight attendant manual explicitly prohibits using this benefit when an employee is sick or on protected leave, including the days immediately surrounding the absence.
The union's email pointed crew members to this policy, noting that violations "have resulted in a written warning and the suspension of pass travel privileges." Delta Air Lines, Endeavor's parent company, declined to comment when contacted by Business Insider.
Limited Exceptions and Broader Industry Scrutiny
The collective bargaining agreement does allow for one key exception: flight attendants may use their travel benefits to return home after calling in sick while away from their base. The union emphasised that members must wait for written managerial approval before doing so.
This warning coincides with heightened scrutiny of sick leave across the airline industry. The AFA chapter at United Airlines separately informed its members that "perceived sick leave abuse is now the most frequent reason for termination cases across the system."
United is reportedly using technology to monitor patterns, such as sick leave taken adjacent to paid time off, which it views as potential abuse. The union advised members to retain all documentation, like doctor's notes, to defend against such allegations, citing scenarios where legitimate illness could be misinterpreted, such as falling sick while on vacation.
Ongoing Monitoring and Future Implications
The situation underscores a tightening of policies around employee benefits as airlines seek to manage operational reliability and costs. The Endeavor AFA chapter and the national AFA did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. The outcome of the ongoing investigations at Endeavor Air will likely set a precedent for how strictly these travel benefit policies are enforced across the regional and major airline networks in the future.