Cashless cabins in Domestic!

[jimntx]

I'm am aware of all that. As I have said more than once, I commute on WN frequently. I wasn't talking about the mechanics of the changeover. I was talking about how our management keeps saying that we need to prepare for a difficult transition from cash to credit card.

The only reason it will be difficult for us is because the customers are not going to hear anything from anyone at AA except the f/as about the no cash policy. WN advertised the fact that they were going cashless on a certain date in addition to having the f/as make that announcement for about a month in advance. AA sees no reason to spend money advertising our changeover because it is only going to cause hard feelings against the f/as when we have to tell the customer he can not pay with cash. Therefore, it is not an issue for management.

 

[jimntx]

Here's what I'm talking about on the PR issue of going cashless. We've all run across at least one passenger who holds up a bill and points to the legal tender statement on it, and then states that we can not refuse to accept it for payment. Yes, we can. I found this very issue addressed on the US Treasury website.

(The company should provide each f/a a plastic embossed copy of the following. As I said, copied straight from the Treasury website. The bolding is mine.)

"Question: I thought that United States currency was legal tender for all debts. Some businesses or governmental agencies say that they will only accept checks, money orders or credit cards as payment, and others will only accept currency notes in denominations of $20 or smaller. Isn't this illegal?

Answer: The pertinent portion of law that applies to your question is the Coinage Act of 1965, specifically Section 31 U.S.C. 5103, entitled "Legal tender," which states: "United States coins and currency (including Federal reserve notes and circulating notes of Federal reserve banks and national banks) are legal tender for all debts, public charges, taxes, and dues."

This statute means that all United States money as identified above are a valid and legal offer of payment for debts when tendered to a creditor. There is, however, no Federal statute mandating that a private business, a person or an organization must accept currency or coins as for payment for goods and/or services. Private businesses are free to develop their own policies on whether or not to accept cash unless there is a State law which says otherwise. For example, a bus line may prohibit payment of fares in pennies or dollar bills. In addition, movie theaters, convenience stores and gas stations may refuse to accept large denomination currency (usually notes above $20) as a matter of policy."

 

[upsilon]

The only reason it will be difficult for us is because the customers are not going to hear anything from anyone at AA except the f/as about the no cash policy. WN advertised the fact that they were going cashless on a certain date in addition to having the f/as make that announcement for about a month in advance. AA sees no reason to spend money advertising our changeover because it is only going to cause hard feelings against the f/as when we have to tell the customer he can not pay with cash. Therefore, it is not an issue for management.

Jim, AA included a notice in the AAirMail email to each AAdvantage member and a link to the full information on the AA website.

 

[jimntx]

Oh wow! And what percentage of our passengers are AAdvantage members or use our website? I would guess less than 40% of the coach passengers.

 

[kirkpatrick]

Did I not say that in my original response to you? Or, are you becoming like others on here...rather than actually reading my post, you prefer to spend that time composing a rebuttal to what you have decided you think I said.

Guilty as charged, Jim. I was in a hurry to make the hotel van this morning and apparently glossed over your post too fast.

You may give me ten lashes with a wet headset if it will make you feel better.

MK

 

[FA Mikey]

The vast majority of people who have purchased a ticket on AA also have access to a credit or debit card. I would say its far more likely a person would be with out cash VS without a card of some sort.

 

[s80dude]

I have a relation that works for them so I just passing along what I heard. Don't know if the terminations stuck or not, just know what I was told.

I agree. Not only do I commute on WN often and talk with the crew, I know several WN f/as here in Dallas. Not one word has any of them said that would suggest that anything remotely like that has happened.

In the first place, they've only been cashless for a few months. Considering how strong and effective the f/as' union is, I would highly doubt that the company could gather sufficient evidence by now to make a termination stick. And, there is no way a termination could have worked its way through the appeal and arbitration process already.

No f/a at any airline (with the possible exception of DAL since they are non-union) is going to be fired over a single incident of pocketing sales money. All they have to say is "I had planned to put the sale on my credit card as a favor to the passenger, and I got busy. I forgot I had the money in my pocket." No arbitrator would let the termination stand because there would be only "he said-she said" evidence. And, considering the high esteem in which WN f/as are held by their company, I don't believe the company would proceed if that is what the f/a said to them.

 

[FA Mikey]

Could also be like a friend of mine from AA, who choose to resign VS termination. Not everyone fights it.

 

[upsilon]

Oh wow! And what percentage of our passengers are AAdvantage members or use our website? I would guess less than 40% of the coach passengers.

What type of advertising did WN do to acquaint their pax with the instant changeover? From your past experience with a company marketing a basic consumer product, what media would you suggest to reach the other ±60% of the coach pax not AA frequent flyers [sic] or website users? I think they would be very difficult to reach.

It seems to me that FAannouncementss, email and the website are about all that can be done withinjustifiablee budget constraints. In any case there will be those who are unaware and surprised. As you yourself anticipate there will also be those who are aware, but who still take it out on the FA.

 

[s80dude]

Could also be like a friend of mine from AA, who choose to resign VS termination. Not everyone fights it.

Got a little more info.... Flight attendants were telling passengers OSRs were inop so they could only take cash. It is the airline's policy that drinks are comped if the OSRs are not working. Non-revs reported it to the airline, and ghost rides were performed.

Folks got canned, but don't know if TWU got the jobs back or is in the process of appealing said terminations.