Being a
flight attendant can be glamorous, but not when you open the paycheck.

That’s why American Airlines is issuing a ‘poverty verification letter’ to some new hires who work in large cities with high costs of living.

Some flight attendants make only $27,000 a year before taxes. Despite helping passengers find their seats and greeting them when they enter, they are only considered on the clock once the cabin doors are shut.

It is printed on official American Airlines stationary and is used to help flight attendants in high-profile cities such as New York and Miami. The letter reads, “The projected annual salary is $27,315 per year before incentives and taxes…Any courtesy you can provide would be appreciated.”

Many flight attendants
utilize ‘crash pads’ with multiple roommates to keep rent cost down, and also
are able to qualify for food stamps. The Association of Professional Flight
Attendants (APFA) is even urging American Airlines to provide free meals to
flight attendants in domestic cities.

The carrier already provides free meals on
international and long-haul flights.

American Airlines flight attendants have also not received a pay raise in almost five years. They have repeatedly voted in favor of going on strike, but federal rules currently prohibit them from doing so.

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