Narrative:

I have been a flight attendant for 3 years. [My] company has created a culture; specifically among flight attendants; that fatigue calls are not allowed. We only know this is an option due to word of mouth; and after a fatigue call the company holds a meeting among supervisors to determine if you were truly fatigued or if the fatigue is placed on your record as a 'trip failure' or 'occurrence' -- which you are punished and/or fired over. We have such a staffing shortage currently with flight attendants that those of us who have spent years on reserve are working 6 day trips at least twice a month with usually 2 days off between to recover (possibly 3 at most). Fatigue report: 12/xx (third consecutive day flying) - I woke up early [and] hungry as there was no food available in the hotel/area; and no transportation available. After arriving at the airport; it was discovered they did not have the correct anti-ice fluid for snowy conditions. After a 2 hour delay the snow tapered 'enough' to de-ice the wings and tail with the type a fluid (not the fuselage). The block time back was +3 hours. My second flight took off and then had mechanical issues in flight and had to air return. We swapped aircraft and continued; dutying out at 2:11 a.m. After getting a taxi and arriving at the hotel; I got in bed at 3:15 a.m. I slept almost 5 1/2 hours (airport van at 9:50 a.m.). (8 hours reduced rest) [on the next day]; fourth consecutive day flying; I woke up tired from such little rest and had an almost 2 hour maintenance delay. I worked a turn and was then assigned another turn that put my duty day at 11:53. We boarded and taxied out to the runway; but had to gate return with yet another maintenance issue. The mechanic was not able to quickly diagnose the issue so we deplaned. With the new departure estimate; my duty exceeded 13 hours and I called in fatigued. I got to the hotel at 3 a.m.; was back at the airport at 10 a.m.; flew 4 flights; and just couldn't make it 2 more legs that would get me back around midnight. My body was physically shaking and weak and I felt like I was on the verge of vomiting. Even though my company feels like I should have 'sucked it up and continued;' I knew there was no way I could have prepared for any type of emergency; let alone even serve the almost 100 passengers on those 2 flights. I went home and slept until 9 a.m. The following day when I was called back in to work another 12 hour duty day; followed by yet another day of flying (day 6).

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Regional air carrier Flight Attendant reported fatigue is a pervasive issue at his airline; which actively discourages calling in fatigued.

Narrative: I have been a Flight Attendant for 3 years. [My] company has created a culture; specifically among flight attendants; that fatigue calls are not allowed. We only know this is an option due to word of mouth; and after a fatigue call the company holds a meeting among supervisors to determine if you were truly fatigued or if the fatigue is placed on your record as a 'trip failure' or 'occurrence' -- which you are punished and/or fired over. We have such a staffing shortage currently with flight attendants that those of us who have spent years on reserve are working 6 day trips at least twice a month with usually 2 days off between to recover (possibly 3 at most). Fatigue report: 12/XX (third consecutive day flying) - I woke up early [and] hungry as there was no food available in the hotel/area; and no transportation available. After arriving at the airport; it was discovered they did not have the correct anti-ice fluid for snowy conditions. After a 2 hour delay the snow tapered 'enough' to de-ice the wings and tail with the type A fluid (not the fuselage). The block time back was +3 hours. My second flight took off and then had mechanical issues in flight and had to air return. We swapped aircraft and continued; dutying out at 2:11 a.m. After getting a taxi and arriving at the hotel; I got in bed at 3:15 a.m. I slept almost 5 1/2 hours (airport van at 9:50 a.m.). (8 hours reduced rest) [On the next day]; fourth consecutive day flying; I woke up tired from such little rest and had an almost 2 hour Maintenance delay. I worked a turn and was then assigned another turn that put my duty day at 11:53. We boarded and taxied out to the runway; but had to gate return with yet another maintenance issue. The Mechanic was not able to quickly diagnose the issue so we deplaned. With the new departure estimate; my duty exceeded 13 hours and I called in fatigued. I got to the hotel at 3 a.m.; was back at the airport at 10 a.m.; flew 4 flights; and just couldn't make it 2 more legs that would get me back around midnight. My body was physically shaking and weak and I felt like I was on the verge of vomiting. Even though my company feels like I should have 'sucked it up and continued;' I knew there was no way I could have prepared for any type of emergency; let alone even serve the almost 100 passengers on those 2 flights. I went home and slept until 9 a.m. the following day when I was called back in to work another 12 hour duty day; followed by yet another day of flying (day 6).

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of July 2013 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.