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Post by kajo1982 on Mar 19, 2019 21:23:03 GMT
The idea to move to Texas (Houston area) is on the table for my husband and I. He can transfer with his company but I work for the state and don't have the same option. I'm considering different job options and a change from what I'm currently doing. If you're a flight attendant do you like it? Which airline do you work for? Is it difficult position to get hired for? Is the pay/perks worth it? Any other pros or cons to consider. We have no kids so my schedule is flexible. Thank you for any advice offered.
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Post by Delta Dawn on Mar 19, 2019 22:15:53 GMT
I had a classmate who worked for Air Canada. She did everything she could do to get me to apply. She told me how and where, what to say, I mean everything. There was only a slight wrinkle in her well executed plan-I am 5’ tall and can’t reach the over head compartment lid to close it. She might get a referral bonus if I were successful. She seemed very excited that I apply! I did not apply, though. I am still only 5’ tall.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Mar 19, 2019 22:25:52 GMT
I’ve heard that too, that there are certain physical requirements necessary to do the job and you won’t even be considered if you don’t meet them. I’m not tall enough either which is why it was never something I could consider. But I think it would be a great job for someone who loves to travel and can work flexible hours.
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Post by Merge on Mar 19, 2019 23:03:08 GMT
Houston is a hub for United and Southwest if you want to look at their specific requirements.
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Apr 18, 2024 21:46:13 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 19, 2019 23:37:39 GMT
The training is very very rigorous to become a flight attendant
. DH's sister was a flight attendant until she had her first child a few years ago. It doesn't matter which airline you apply to as the training is standard to them all and set out by the Aviation authority. If you're prepared to spend about 8 weeks in a classroom for up to 9/10 hours a day, be able to learn how to deal with every worse-case scenario that could happen 35,000 feet in the air- including crash simulations in grounded planes that actually shake, be in total darkness and filled with smoke and at the same time lead " the passengers" out as you would be expected to in a real life situation. You're trained in advanced life saving skills both medical and in water. So you need to be an excellent strong swimmer and of a very calm disposition. Learning self defence, and how to take care of violent passengers. You also have to learn the detailed cabin layout of every kind of plane the airline flies.On top of that you have to have excellent customer service skills and pretty good maths to deal with the stock and money. It's certainly a bit more than serving meals, wine and soda which some people think that is all they do.
It isn't as glamorous as it's made out to be. Many flights have a very quick turn around, especially on domestic flights or at least only need the minimum rest period between flights according to the rest rules of the aviation authority. Longer lay overs are usually only on long haul/international flights and then they can be as short as 24 hours depending on the airline's schedule of flights to that destination.
DH's sister used to work for British Airways and would quite often fly international. As they fly daily to New York she could cover the outward journey from London to NY one day and she would quite often crew that same schedule flight that flew out the following day on its return journey back to London. So her time in NY itself was quite limited when she had to fit in her sleep time too.
If you think that it would appeal to you go for it and see how you get on.
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Post by malibou on Mar 20, 2019 0:09:16 GMT
A friend of mine was looking for a change and decided she wanted to be a flight attendant. She got turned down at the big airlines because she is only 5'. However, she did get hired at a small commuter airline that only flies to 5 or 6 places. She starts her training next month and is beyond excited about it.
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Post by frenchie on Mar 20, 2019 0:38:58 GMT
I was a flight attendant with American for 25 years, but had to retire several years ago for health reasons.
I loved it, but I started in 1988 and the world was much different. Training is pretty extensive. I think @dottyscrapper summed it up pretty well. It was 8 weeks in Dallas, although with AA being bought by USAirways, I don't know if that has changed.
The job was great for me as a single person. Once I had kids, it obviously got a little tougher. Work days can be flexible once you've built up seniority, but when you are new, the company owns you.
I started out loving people, but there are days that you wonder why you are doing it-just like any other job. You hear people complain about flight crews, but sometimes it's hard to smile after you've been spit on, hit, yelled at, etc. And I'm not lying. It's public service all the way. I would always just tell myself that the passengers paid a lot of money to be on these flights and in some cases it could be all that they had in order to take a special trip. That got me through the tough days.
If it's something you really want to do, go for it. Just keep in mind that it's not that glamorous once you're doing it! But there are definitely some good times! If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a message.
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Post by frenchie on Mar 20, 2019 0:45:11 GMT
A friend of mine was looking for a change and decided she wanted to be a flight attendant. She got turned down at the big airlines because she is only 5'. However, she did get hired at a small commuter airline that only flies to 5 or 6 places. She starts her training next month and is beyond excited about it. At the time I was hired, you had to be at least 5'2" (to be able to reach the overhead bins, for one reason) and there was a strict weight policy. The FAA also has certain health requirements. Also, another idea- unless you have your heart set on flying commercial, there are small companies that hire flight attendants. My husband is a pilot for a wealthy family in our area. They own several companies. They have some Gulfstream jets and on the larger ones, they take a flight attendant. It's something I never really knew about until my husband took a job with them. It seems like a pretty good gig. Just something to think about. |
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Post by Eddie-n-Harley on Mar 20, 2019 0:49:39 GMT
No personal experience, but I have read in multiple places that you'll spend a lot of time not being paid. Like, you don't get paid until the door to the plane is closed, so all that time the customers spend boarding? You're working for free. I think that's also true once you reach the gate and open the door-- not paid for time while passengers are deplaning. Not sure why that is or why that's okay, but seems like something to consider.
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Post by frenchie on Mar 20, 2019 0:57:32 GMT
No personal experience, but I have read in multiple places that you'll spend a lot of time not being paid. Like, you don't get paid until the door to the plane is closed, so all that time the customers spend boarding? You're working for free. I think that's also true once you reach the gate and open the door-- not paid for time while passengers are deplaning. Not sure why that is or why that's okay, but seems like something to consider. We had to sign in 1 hour before our originating flight. That's when the per diem money would start. I think it was about $3.00/hour. That was from the time we signed in until the end of our trip which could be 1,2, or 3 days. The bigger money starts once the plane pushes back and stops once the airplane blocks in at the destination. So the per diem is basically nothing, but you are getting paid. |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 20, 2019 1:03:51 GMT
No personal experience, but I have read in multiple places that you'll spend a lot of time not being paid. Like, you don't get paid until the door to the plane is closed, so all that time the customers spend boarding? You're working for free. I think that's also true once you reach the gate and open the door-- not paid for time while passengers are deplaning. Not sure why that is or why that's okay, but seems like something to consider. Maybe on some airlines do in the US but that is certainly not the norm over here. BA,as do other airlines, pay you from the time you have to report in for your briefing,which is the start of your shift, well before you go anywhere near a plane, until the time you return to the briefing room and hand in your flight reports and sign out. |
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