Advantages/Disadvantages
What benefits or perks provided by your airline do you value most?
I would have to say I value the flight benefits the most. I wouldn’t have chosen this job without them. They’ve allowed me to travel to places I otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford. My family and I are on a plane almost every month!
What is the one benefit currently not offered that you would like to see implemented in the future?
Can you believe, none? I could give you plenty of things I’d love to have for nothing, but realistically we have a lot of benefits, i.e., health, flying, pension, 401k, disability etc..
What is the biggest downfall of being a flight attendant at your airline?
Our choices are limited on where to live unless we commute to work because my airline only has three hubs.
Requirements
What qualities help make a good flight attendant?
In my opinion people who are independent, curious about people and places, great at diffusing tense situations and have confidence make the best flight attendants.
What is the biggest challenge an individual must overcome to become a successful flight attendant?
Probably getting used to how much time you spend on your own. It can be a lonely job.
Why do you feel most airlines prefer candidates to have a degree when applying for a position as a flight attendant?
I think the airlines prefer candidates to have a college degree because the job requires a lot of skills. They also like people with a lot of customer service experience and people who are parents. If you have raised children well, you’ve got a great skill set that will help in your career as a flight attendant.
Role/Day-to-Day
What kind of work schedule does being a flight attendant entail? (ex. work week, vacations, etc.)
This is a hard question to answer because everything depends on seniority and individual preference. Most flight attendants start out on reserve. This means you only have about ten days off a month and you are at the mercy of scheduling the days you are “on.” Reserve can last a month or years. We have ten year flight attendants on reserve in my base.
Once you are a line holder (off reserve) you start to have more flexibility. The more senior, the better trips you hold. Some flight attendants choose to work a lot of hours and some drop down and hardly fly at all. My last trip was on September 28th and I don’t fly again until October 22nd. There are many many options, we can trade amongst each other, or an open pool of trips. We can personal drop without pay, or pick up trips. It’s almost like we’re independent contractors. Flexibility is a big draw for this career.
How is most of your time spent on a typical business day?
Again, no day is typical, but we check in an hour before a flight. Once on the airplane we check our emergency equipment and have a crew briefing with the Captain. Boarding commences, and then the actual flight. Once we reach our destination we either get ready for the next flight or layover where we are. Trips generally run anywhere from one to four days with one to six legs per day.
Describe the reporting relationships in place at your airline (ex. Who supervises who? Who do you supervise? Etc.)
At my airline, and I believe most we have flight attendants who are supervisors. Supervisors tend to things such as sick calls, complaints, and overall support for the flight attendants. There is a lead flight attendant on our trips, but they are in charge of the flight…not really the other flight attendants.
What kind of career advancement opportunities does being a flight attendant provide?
There is some room for advancement, like the supervisor position. (It is management) But, you’ll find at my airline this is usually a very junior position because you lose all your flexibility. It becomes a “real” job.
What is the most difficult part of your job as a flight attendant?
The most difficult aspect for me is keeping your ego in check, what I mean is, not taking people personally. Being able to deal with mad, frustrated, and stressed people and not take it on, but instead be able to diffuse the situation.
What is the most rewarding part of your job as a flight attendant?
The most rewarding for me is being able to create a positive air travel experience for people. I think flying is amazing and that people have lost site of that because of all the stress we have to deal with while traveling.
What do you feel, if any, is the biggest myth involving the role of a flight attendant?
That flight attendants are all surly and hate people. Most flight attendants chose this career because they really like people.
Policies
What is your airlines policy regarding uniforms. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate the current policy, and list changes that you feel should be made to make the program more efficient and effective for the employees AND the airline.
I’d say 9 out of 10. We have a uniform that has a few different options. I like wearing a uniform, an update is over due for my airline and would be nice. I don’t feel any changes are needed, we have a point system for purchasing pieces (we get points every year) I have more pieces than I know what to do with.
What are some important rules, do and do-nots, etc. of being a flight attendant?
Do be on time..the door shuts without you!
Do check your ego at the door…passengers will vent on you and it’s not personal.
Do travel light, you figure this out pretty fast.
Do take good care of yourself…lots of germs on the plane!
Don’t make unnecessary trouble for yourself. It’s an easy job if you remember on the “bad” flights that once the plane lands you’re done with the problem.
Don’t fall asleep on the jumpseat!
Past, Present, Future
How have recent events changed the role of a flight attendant? (ex. 9/11, Steven Slater, etc.)
Many things have changed since 9/11. There have been a lot of descriptions added onto the flight attendant position. We now carry hand cuffs on board as well as many other security enhancements that I am not free to discuss. Getting through security is more of a pain for all. Not much has changed since Steven Slater, that I can see anyway.
What major changes are currently happening now in the industry?
Mergers and fees. Both seem to have benefited the bottom line of most airlines.
What major changes do you see happening in the future of the industry?
I see growth, there was an article out recently that quoted Boeing saying that the airlines will hire over a million people over the next 20 years.
Any additional comments about recruiting flight attendants?
Yes, airlines look for people who are polished, confident, independent and flexible. These are probably the most important qualities. The newer low cost, hipper airlines may be looking for something a little different than the legacy carriers, but I think all airlines look for those four things.
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Great post! Lots of good information. Gave me more insight into your job.
Now take those travel perks and come visit me. 😉
Hi My name is Donella Debesa I was a flight attendant for almost a year in an airline from Iceland and the Dominican republic in 2001. Now I live in Miami Florida and I'd Love to work again in a USA based airline. Where do i start to look for a job?
That was very interesting Sarah, Thanks! Sometimes I think if I was younger and looking for a career I'd apply for a flight attendant job.
Hope all is well in your world. jj
Hi Sara, I really enjoyed your post. We get asked a lot of these questions by people who are interested in becoming flight attendants (We have a flight attendant training school in Johannesburg).
Nice job Sara, I know these students mus thave been grateful for the time and thought you put into your response. Keep up the great work!
Great read- I should send friends to this post when they have questions.
Boredflightattendant.com
As the season for colds and viruses advances, I wondered if you could write a post on how you handle avoiding catching all the colds and viruses on the plane. It seems that every time I fly I notice that a large number of people cough, snuffle, and generally look ill on airplanes.
It's really helpful to read what life is like for other FA's as I'm starting training tomorrow!
http://airfairy.wordpress.com/
great post
Hi, my student needs to interview a flight att. for a research project. The deadline is Jan the 25, 2011. We can e-mail the Qs if someone is willing to answer them. We would greatly appreciate it!
Excellent answers…..smiles.
Excellent answers…..smiles.
Love this Q & A! Going out for a flight attendant job soon and this really helped me 🙂