ExpressJet Flight Attendant Unpaid Wage Lawsuit Investigation
Last Updated on April 13, 2020
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
Case Update
- April 13, 2020 – Investigation Closed
- Thank you to everyone who helped contribute to this investigation. At this point, attorneys working with ClassAction.org no longer need to hear from ExpressJet flight attendants. For an open list of investigations, please visit this page. The information below exists for reference only.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Current and former ExpressJet flight attendants.
- What's Going On?
- Attorneys are investigating whether ExpressJet is breaking federal and state labor laws by only paying its flight attendants for block time – the time that passes between the closing and opening of the main cabin door.
- How Can a Class Action Lawsuit Help?
- If a lawsuit is filed and is successful, current and former employees may be able to collect money for their unpaid wages.
- Can I Get Fired?
- It's illegal for your employer to retaliate against you for exercising your legal rights.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org want to speak with current and former ExpressJet flight attendants.
They're investigating whether the airline is breaking federal and state laws by only paying its flight attendants for “block time” – the time that passes between the closing and opening of the main cabin door. Because flight attendants perform additional duties outside of block time – and all hours worked must be paid – it's possible that they may be legally entitled to more money than they’re actually receiving.
Block Time Pay: What's the Problem?
ExpressJet is allegedly only paying its flight attendants for time spent working between the closing and opening of the main cabin door. Attorneys are investigating whether this practice violates the law, as the flight attendants perform a number of additional duties, some of which are mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration, outside of this time.
These duties include:
Conducting pre-flight safety checks
Participating in briefings with other crew members before the flight takes off
Greeting passengers and helping them board the airplane
Conducting pre-taxi announcements and flight introductions
Verifying passengers’ seatbelts are buckled and that infants are seated on the right side of the aircraft
Making passenger weight and balance adjustments
Making sure the number of passengers on board matches the passenger manifest
Ensuring that the plane has been refueled
Verifying that overhead compartments are secure
Cleaning the aircraft and folding blankets
It's possible that these flight attendants should be paid for their entire “duty day” – from the time they’re required to report to the airport to the time they’re released from their last flight of the day. By only paying flight attendants for block time, these workers may be losing out on several hours of pay every week – and this time adds up.
Can I Get Fired for Helping with This Investigation?
Federal law strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who choose to exercise their legal rights. This means it’s illegal for your employer to fire you, assign you undesirable shifts, or otherwise retaliate against you.
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