Hotel Etiquette

When on a layover, it is expected that we are all on our best behavior for we represent Spirit Airlines and Spirit Airlines AFA-CWA.

Hotel Etiquette Reminders!

When on a layover, it is expected that we are all on our best behavior for we represent Spirit Airlines and AFA-CWA. Unprofessional behavior jeopardizes the contracts with the layover hotels.

The majority of the flight attendants are courteous and professional but there are a few that may be ruining our reputation due to their actions. If you witness unprofessional behavior being exhibited by one of your fellow crew members, please intervene and inform your local Hotel and EAP/Professional Standards representative(s).

Below are some guidelines to follow when on a layover that is all based on issues that have been reported by the hotels to Spirit management and your AFA Hotel Committee.

When You Arrive For Your Layover:

DO NOT CALL FOR THE HOTEL SHUTTLE WHILE YOU ARE ON THE AIRCRAFT!

  1. When you arrive at the gate, wait until your required duties are completed and you are inside the airport before requesting transportation. You never know how long you’ll have to wait for strollers or wheelchairs and the shuttles cannot wait an extended amount of time at the airport. 

  2. Calling the hotel does not fall under any one Flight Attendants’ (or pilot’s) responsibility.  Discuss amongst the crew who will call the hotel to avoid multiple calls for the same flight.   

  3. Be courteous and respectful to the hotel employees when making the call and identify yourself as a Spirit flight attendant.

    • Quick Tip: Using your name and inbound flight number is also helpful.

  4. Be respectful to the drivers and at all times when on the van, especially when other hotel guests are onboard.

  5. It is customary to tip van drivers $1 per piece of rolling luggage. 

  6. If transportation does not arrive within 45 minutes after block in, call crew scheduling and inform them that you will be exercising CBA Section 4.B.2. Submit your receipt for reimbursement when you return to base.

    • Reference: FARF 18-068 Expense Reports.

When Checking In at the Hotel:

  1. Be professional and respectful to the employees and other hotel guests.

  2. Do not “mob the desk.”  Take turns signing in.

  3. Do not cut in front of hotel guests.

  4. Sign your own name for your room and take your own key.  Ensure your room number matches the room number assigned to you on the sign-in sheet. Do not allow one crew member to sign in for the entire crew and distribute keys.

  5. Do not call out room numbers.

  6. If your name is not on the crew sign-in sheet, contact the crew scheduling hotel desk IMMEDIATELY.  Never cross off another crew member's name on the sign-in sheet and take their room unless you are instructed to do so by the crew scheduling hotel desk. 

    • Quick Tip: Crew Scheduling’s hotel desk has 2 hours from that phone call to book a room.  If it takes longer than 2 hours, submit a ticket here.

When You Are In Your Room at the Hotel:

  1. Do not cause any damage to your room. However, if an accident does occur, report it to the front desk before you depart.

  2. Do not cause any noise disturbances in your room. This includes but is not limited to playing music with portable speakers, watching TV at an unreasonable volume, and allowing your door to slam close (We don’t like it when housekeeping does it.)

  3. Do not smoke/vape in your room.

  4. Pets are not allowed at any of our layover hotels.

  5. Do not steal items from the room (this includes pillows, alarm clocks, glasses, towels, coffee makers, etc.)

  6. If you have a problem with your room, CALMLY report the issue to the front desk. If the hotel cannot rectify the issue to your satisfaction, you may always request another room. If no other rooms are available; report your issue to crew scheduling’s hotel desk. Please maintain a professional and discreet demeanor during this process.

When You Dine at the Hotel:

  1. Do not overindulge with alcohol. Please be a professional representative of Spirit Airlines and Spirit Airlines AFA-CWA at all times.

  2. Treat the hotel restaurant staff with dignity and respect. You want respect from our passengers, the same goes to the hotel staff.

  3. Take your Spirit Airlines employee I.D. with you and be prepared to produce it for the staff if you are entitled to a discount.

  4. If there is a buffet service, please understand that the buffet is for dine-in only. It is not acceptable to steal items for consumption outside of the restaurant. This is theft.

  5. It is customary to tip 15%-20% of the pre-discounted portion of your bill.

When Enjoying the Facilities at the Hotel:

  1. Clean up after yourself. This includes wiping down the machines you used in the gym or cleaning up your area after spending the afternoon at the pool.

  2. Do not remove items from your room for use outside of the hotel. This includes towels or bedding. If you need towels for the pool/beach, please request them from the front desk.

  3. Dress appropriately. Nudity in any form is prohibited in all of our hotel’s pool areas.

  4. Observe the pool/whirlpool closing times.

  5. Do not visit unscrupulous websites when using the hotel’s business center or download illegal or copyright-infringing material on the hotel’s Wi-Fi.

  6. If the hotel provides a “crew room” with complimentary items, please use it responsibly. Take only what you intend to consume on the layover. Crew room provisions are typically not meant to replace meals. Also, crew room items should never be used to stock your lunchbox or cupboards at home.

When Having Guests Join You on Your Layover:

  1. Be aware that your guests may not be allowed on contracted transportation to/from the hotel.

  2. Understand that your room was booked with single occupancy in mind, and it may not always be possible to get a hotel room with multiple beds.

  3. Your guests may not be entitled to the same discounts or amenities provided to you as a crewmember (i.e. free breakfast, restaurant discounts, crew room access, etc.).

    • DO NOT push your hotel staff to extend the same discounts allowed for you to your guests as well.

When Checking Out of Your Hotel Room:

  1. Return your key to the front desk and let them know the room number you are checking out of.

  2. If you are departing prior to any onsite restaurant/breakfast area being open for business, and you would like breakfast items provided to you, you must request your contractual grab and go items from the front desk.  Many hotels keep these items hidden from other (non-crew) guests and they must be requested.  However, if the hotel does not provide you with your grab-and-go items or there is no crew room stocked with breakfast items, and there is no onsite restaurant open; please file a ticket on the AFA support center.  

    • NOTE: The typical resolution for no grab-and-go items is 0:30 pay, however, please be prepared to provide as much evidence as possible, i.e. photos, names of hotel employees, etc.

  3. Pay any incidental charges you incurred at the hotel (movies, room service, phone calls, etc.), this does include upgraded WiFi options. When these charges are billed to Spirit, you may face disciplinary action.

After You Depart the Hotel:

If you experienced any problems with your stay (either contractual or non-contractual) report them via the CrewConnex App, reports go to the following, all with just one report:

  • The Company

  • TA Connections (formerly Hotel Connections)

  • The AFA Hotel Committee

  • ALPA (pilots union)

  • The hotel

  • Download the CrewConneX application from the apple store or the google play store.

    1. Log in using your employee number and password.

    2. Create your initial username and password using the following criteria.

      • IATA Code: NKS+Employee ID (EX: ID 123456)

      • Username: NKS123456 (do not include leading zeros)

      • Initial Password: Welcome_NK

  • Once signed in with the initial username and password, enter an email address. Using your Spirit Airlines employee email is recommended.

  • Create a new password.

  • Click “Begin Registration.”

  • Once you receive the Welcome email, log in again using your username and new password.

Thank YOU From Your Hotel Committee!

Your Spirit Airlines AFA-CWA Committee does its absolute best to provide the best hotels the company will allow for all of our layover cities. However, this process is slowed down dramatically when we must work to find new hotels because of losing current hotel contracts; due to some flight attendants’ conduct while on layovers. Please follow the guidelines above and have a safe, restful, and fun time between duty periods. But please remember that you are ALWAYS representing your company and your union whether or not you are in or out of uniform. Don’t forget to SPEAK UP. If you say nothing, you are allowing the problem to continue and perpetuate. If you see inappropriate behavior taking place by a fellow crew member; take action! Don’t let a minuscule percentage of our coworkers ruin things for the rest of us.

- Your MEC Hotel Leadership