With the holiday crush already building at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, a line of PSA Airlines flight attendants and supporters peeled off from the crowd on Thursday and planted themselves outside Terminal E. For about an hour, they marched with signs declaring “Saving Lives. Can’t Afford Rent” and chanted for a new contract, turning the usual rolling‑bag soundtrack into something a lot louder.
The Dallas action was part of a coordinated, nationwide round of demonstrations scheduled for Dec. 18 to pressure PSA and its parent, American, for better economics, according to AFA‑CWA. Several members of the Association of Professional Flight Attendants joined in as well, and union leaders on site outlined a wish list that includes double‑digit raises, boarding pay, retroactive pay and scheduling fixes, Dallas Express reported. Local spokesperson Travis Smith told the outlet that American management ultimately calls the shots on pay at its regional carriers and that members are pushing for a living‑wage contract after nearly three years in amendable status.
What They’re Demanding
Union negotiators say the pay gap between regional and mainline is not just a rounding error. Newer PSA flight attendants often start around $24,000 a year, and union leaders estimate overall pay runs about 40 to 45 percent below American’s mainline rates, according to WBTV. Organizers argue that adding boarding pay and meaningful raises would help keep people from walking away from the job and ease the financial strain on crew members responsible for passenger safety. They also note that the dispute fits into a broader industry fight over regional pay and boarding pay.
Company Context
PSA is a wholly owned subsidiary that flies regional jets for American under the American Eagle brand. The carrier says it operates more than 600 daily flights to nearly 100 destinations and employs close to 4,800 team members, according to PSA Airlines. Union leaders point to American’s reported financial results when they argue that higher regional pay is within reach: the airline logged record third‑quarter revenue of $13.7 billion and has told investors it expects full‑year free cash flow to top $1 billion, according to American Airlines.
Where This Could Matter For Dallas Travelers
None of this is happening in a quiet travel week. AAA projects a record year‑end holiday stretch, with a bit more than 8 million domestic air travelers expected, according to AAA. That kind of volume makes even brief airport dust‑ups more visible. In this case, protesters kept the picket at DFW to about an hour, and there were no immediate reports of flight cancellations tied to the demonstration, Dallas Express noted. Union officials say the pressure will stay on until a deal they consider a living‑wage agreement is reached…