Wow, I was excited to find out my blog was mentioned in a post from the website blogher. Check it out at http://www.blogher.com/fly-me-freedom-or-sexism-flight-attendant-jobs. Here is an excerpt from that post:

Blogs by flight attendants, like The Flying Pinto and Another Flight Attendant Writing About Flying (and Other Stuff), capture the occupational hazards and rewards of working in the airline industry. It’s a hard job, and like many jobs that predominately are performed by women, the wages are low. Today’s working conditions are more stressful than ever. Still, whether a woman is American or Egyptian or Brazilian, working a flight crew may provide opportunities to see the world that few other people have, and that chance is something to be prized.

Although it is true that our working conditions are more stressful than ever, to me there are still more perks. I’ll try to explain the lifestyle…it’s hard to do because it is so different for every Flight Attendant. Which to me is the beauty of my job. Although, I’m speaking for my airline, the work rules and schedules, at least for the US based carriers are pretty similar.

HOURS: We can work as much or as little as we want. I actually don’t have to fly. However, I do have to bid a schedule every month and it is then my responsibility to get rid of the trips I don’t want to fly. The more senior you are the easier this is, because we have our workaholics who like to fly more than a full schedule, so they will pick up “advertised” pairings from Flight Attendants who want to fly less. Our schedules are extremely flexible, which to me is one of the biggest perks.

PAY: The wages actually aren’t as low as people think. We have Flight Attendants who make six figures…ok, so they are the ones who are gone and work all the time…but where do you make six figures and not work alot? Well, I guess if you’re a pilot but really there aren’t many careers like that. For me, it is a great part time (now while Lucy is young) sometimes full time job. I contribute to my families income, provide flight benefits, and get a hotel room all to myself once in a while. I work with other FA’s who see the glass half empty and will say to divide our hourly wage by the actual hours away from home and see how “little” we actually make.(Our hourly rate is flight time only) Not me, I plan a nice trip for myself to Seattle, for example, and stay in a nice hotel in town and enjoy a walk around Pikes Market and bring home my huge $10 bouquet of flowers and fresh Salmon for dinner.

FLIGHT BENEFITS: Ok, it is more difficult to get on an airplane as a non-rev (employee) these days but we do manage to get on because we are flexible. I am not the type who wants to go to Europe in the summer or Mardi Gras or Disney during a school vacation. I prefer to go “off Season.” I’ve been to Paris in January…yes, it was cold but I didn’t wait in one line at any museums. My mom came on a trip with me to Rome for Christmas one year, we saw and listened to the Pope on Christmas Day. I’ve actually chosen my destinations according to which flights had first class seats available. I have afforded so much in my life not only because of my Flight Benefits, but also my flexible schedule. Even if I had a lucrative career chances are I’d be working all the time…when would I travel? Now my daughter will enjoy those benefits too.

And of course like everything else you must pay your dues. My first three years of flying were spent on reserve.I’m actually on my way to Flight Attendant training in the pic posted above….notice all the unmatched luggage! Reserve means you are on call 24 hours a day with only 10 days off per month. I had as little as two hours to get to the airport and I could be leaving for one day or as many as four days. Reserve can last a short few months or it could be as long as ten years, which it is now in my base. Luckily, I’m in my 16th year and have paid my dues! And it wasn’t all bad, I was young and single and I had a lot of great times. I was always excited for my next adventure when scheduling called…as long as it wasn’t before 8am! Ok, noon who am I kidding!

I guess what I’d like to say is it’s a great career choice for many, definitely not for all. It is hard work at times, flying alone takes a lot of energy. But,if you like freedom it is a great choice. It’s not just for the young either. It is an excellent choice for retirees. We have quite a few people who start flying once their kids are grown or they retire from something else……did I mention the flight benefits? Your families fly for free too…my Mom actually wears a t-shirt that says, “MARRY ME FLY FREE.”