American Airlines Flight Attendant Risks Dismissal For Mocking Own Airline

As with so many mature industries in the U.S., it hasn't been easy being an airline employee in recent years. Industry consolidation, layoffs, the rising cost of air travel, and service cutbacks have hampered profits and taken a toll on employee morale.

The latest of those is American Airlines, whose parent, AMR Corp., filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November, leaving many of its workers to wonder what the future holds for them and their livelihoods. American said earlier this month that it wants to lay off another 500 flight attendants this spring in addition to the 13,000 job cuts it already has planned.