Delta hoping New Years Day isnt a repeat of Christmas Day staff shortage

<p>Officials at Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines are trying to avoid a repeat on New Years Day of the staff shortage it had on Christmas.</p><p>The nations third-largest airline says it has created a volunteer list of reserve flight attendants to make sure it has enough crew members available for the holiday on Thursday. Delta also is lifting the monthly cap on flight attendants work hours and allowing them to take a relative along during their holiday shifts.</p><p>Dozens of Delta flight attendants called in sick on Christmas Day, grounding some of the airlines flights.</p><p>A Delta spokesman said last week that 33 flights were canceled or delayed systemwide out of more than 6,000 the airline operated on Christmas. Delta now says 37 flights were canceled or delayed.</p>