Flight attendants don't earn their hourly pay until aircraft doors close. Here's why

American Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA), picket outside Ronald Reagan National Airport last August in Arlington, Va. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

If air travel feels unusually taxing to you these days, you have company.

Flight attendants are exasperated with fuller flights and leaner staffing. They say managing passengers' safety and onboard experience is more stressful than ever. Now, flight attendants hope airlines will step up with a major change to how they're paid.