Airline employee position

[120304]

Hello everyone,

I am considering a customer service position with a major U.S. airline and am wondering if anyone is familiar with the perks of the job. I understand that there is unlimited standby travel for me, spouse and children. Not sure that this is great, as standby doesn't sound appealing, especially with young children, but I figure I could always check the capacity of the flights to figure out the likelihood of getting on. Does anyone know what type of other discounts are offered for hotels, cruises etc.? Also, any direct or indirect knowledge of working for an airline? Pros, cons?

Also, the job would require me to go out of town to train for 16 days and be away from my family (DH plus 3 and 6 year old) - this is really what I am on the fence about - have never been away for that length of time (two days max) and I am not thrilled about that aspect. Any thoughts?

Thank you!

 

[stsomewhere]

My Mother in law works for MAJOR AIRLINE. She never flies standby because most flights are over sold. Most airlines have cut back their flights. My husband use to work for the same airline about 15 yrs ago. We use to fly standby all the time. Times have changed.
Standbys were based on seniority. So, new hires never got a chance. My mother in law has worked there for 17 yrs. She has the lowest seniority in her department.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My BIL works for a Major airline, they fly standby all of the time. They do usually travel the first flight of the day--but they usually have great success. They even flew standby to my brother's house for Christmas. However--due to snow and ice issues, he had to leave a day early (or he wouldn't have made it to work on Monday) and she had to leave a day late b/c all the flights canceled from the weekend resulted in flights the day she was to leave getting filled up.

He is able to find out how full flights are and with rare exception, they usually get to where they need to go and that is with connections.

When they must absolutely have to without a shadow of a doubt be at a specific destination at a specific timeframe, they will buy a ticket--such as for their wedding in Hawaii. They bought outbound from LA to HNL. They flew standby to LA...but then caught that flight. I want to say they flew standby on the way back, but I Can't remember as that was 2004.

I have no idea how their standby works. The only thing I do know--a paying passenger trumps. So when flights are cancelled, that throws a monkey in the wrench for them. But it tends to be an infrequent occurrence.

They have traveled with their 4 year old. Sometimes, dad will fly separate if needed. But they have been able to fly with the 3 of them. They did their september vacation--flying first to me in DC (IAD), then Charleston, then Jacksonville, then home all in the same week. The whole week was standby and they were able to see most of my sister's family. Her brother and her dad were the other two cities.

He does watch the seat availability though--and traveling the FIRST flight of the day is their MO.

Maybe it depends on the airline.

ETA: He does get discounts for hotel. He has gotten a deal at Disney and a hotel at Hawaii. For Hawaii at least--it wasn't the nicest hotel.

 

[Goingon40]

Here are just a few things to think of - I might be a bit off on some of my information, and if so, hope I am corrected.
1) Is the 16 days away for training 100% paid> I know that food/lodging/transportation to training base is paid, however, is classroom training paid? I know with many airlines it was not time paid.
2) Travel perks - yes on the airline you work for as well as others and for you and your family. However, we know how full airlines are today - and most employees that I know that work for an airline to play it safe go ahead and pay for a ticket to insure a seat. It is standby and a very low priority.
3) Since most all if not all positions are seniority based with an airline - the hire date being your determing factor in so many aspects within the organization - it will be a very slow climb up the ladder unless trying to get into management.
4) I would think work hours would be all over the place. Not the same 9-5 M-F workday. Babysitters? Arranging daycare on short notice?
5) Pay - one of the lower paid industries unless you have time/seniority or management.
6) The ups and downs of the industry - hire, layoffs, call-back, layoffs, a constant cycle. A very volatile industry nowadays.
7) Benefits? Again, not the best in the workplace. They will give you an allowance for clothing, after that, you are on your on.
8) I assume you do enjoy working with people and the customer service area of work, dealing with individual problems and blaming you for all their travel snafus that are not your fault at all. You just happen to work for that airline and are the face or voice that individual gets to vent to.
9) Is this a job that you want to do just to fill time or is it very important to your family income and quality of life?

Really do not know your situation, but just some ideas to think about. Good luck and wish you the best in your decision.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I was a flight attendant for nearly three years.

While WE can be treated terribly, CSAgents are treated like doormats. You NEED to expect it, and NEED to not take it personally. Be prepared to be called every name in the book, screamed at daily, endure high stress, crazy hours, and just know that EVERYTHING is your fault.

I took, oh, maybe four or five vacations in my three year career, all I paid for (the flights) and all were on a cheaper airline. Standby SUCKS. Good luck getting your whole family on an airplane the same DAY, let alone the same flight!

WE got our airline discount at the hotel our airline used for crews... So it was usually $40 a night, if they had rooms. I've use the discount WDW offers, stayed at AKL in the summer for $135 a night.

Car rentals give a discount, too.

With ALL of that said, I loved my job, and I would be a CSA tomorrow!

 

[nala87]

My mom has worked for a major airline for about 30 years with most of those years being in customer service. She goes on about 15 trips, many just for the day, per year. She rarely does not get on a flight and almost never gets stuck. She also travels at off times (Europe and Asia in the winter) and would pull me out of school for random days around holidays to travel. She loves the travel part of her job, but hates her job. Since 9/11 she has been at risk of loosing her job. Her last job was out-sourced and she may be sent back to customer service after the airline makes major cuts. For new employees travel is very hard and pay is not worth the hassle in many cases, in customer service because when you are new you get last bid for days off and may have to work nights and weekends. Many airlines now have screens at the airport where you can see stand-by names, where they rank, and how many seats are left on the plane. Very often my mom gets some of the last seats and she is usually at the top of the stand-by list.
When we went to Disney this past October we got the last two seats on the 6am flight and the rest of the day was over-sold. Honestly if you are using the job as a way to travel and not as a way to put food on the table or for a career you may want to talk to people who work for your prospective company. Also if you need the job for money always remember lay-offs are a serious possibility. My mom wouldn't trade the chance to travel for anything, but she also hates her job due to all the stress of lay-offs. Good luck with your decision.

 

[gm]

don't forget you also get low rates at disney resorts and other hotels too. I had a friend who worked an airline and she received 50% off at disney resort.

 

[nala87]

don't forget you also get low rates at disney resorts and other hotels too. I had a friend who worked an airline and she received 50% off at disney resort.

Yes, but usually at only one resort at a time and many times that resort is under construction. This past October we got Pop for $70 per night for a preferred room while the resort was being upgraded. Three years ago we got carribean beach for about $100 while the main pool was closed. So while the rates are awesome, you can't choose your resort.

 

[LaurenLC]

My dad was a pilot for a major airline for 30+ years. We flew stand-by ALL the time EVERYWHERE and only got bumped once! I *think* that your seniority makes a big difference, as does your specific position.

 

[clh2]

My coworkers 2 sons were recently laid off from an airlines. I know they weren't in customer service...but I do not know what they did.

They will remember their stories of flying standby the rest of their lives. Especially when they went from Milwaukee to Philly...JUST FOR CHEESESTEAKS. It was supposed to be a day trip - again - they were basically going out for lunch. It ended up being a 4-day excursion, due to bad weather, and they got from Philly to Atlanta, then opted to go to Florida (to see one of their girlfriends at college, since they were close) and finally back to Milwaukee.

They did other travelling too - but nothing as hilarious as the cheesesteak trip!

To the OP - being gone that long sucks - however, in the whole scheme of things, if this is the right job for you, 16 days will really be just a little "blip" in your life.

 

[nala87]

Also you are not guaranteed seats together when flying standby.
People will switch their seats or the flight attendants will try and work
out the seating for you, but often at 6 and 7 I was on my own with my parents elsewhere on the plane.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Yes, but usually at only one resort at a time and many times that resort is under construction. This past October we got Pop for $70 per night for a preferred room while the resort was being upgraded. Three years ago we got carribean beach for about $100 while the main pool was closed. So while the rates are awesome, you can't choose your resort.

Wow that has changed! So you can't pick your resort? When DH worked for an airline, I would call pick my resort and dates and get a quote. We stayed conceirge at almost every resort on property because the rates were so good.

My dad was a pilot for a major airline for 30+ years. We flew stand-by ALL the time EVERYWHERE and only got bumped once! I *think* that your seniority makes a big difference, as does your specific position.

Well there are alot less flights then there used to be. Senority counts, position does not .

DH now works corporate so no more airline discounts for us, but our friend has worked for Delta in Atlanta for over 20 years. He drives home because he is sick of getting bumped all the time.

 

[120304]

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. The airline I'm considering is JB which does not overbook its flights - so hopefully a little easier to determine likelihood of getting standby seats. Also, their standby system is not based on seniority - it goes by whomever is 1st to check in for standby- gets first dibs on any available seats.
Still haven't made a decision. My main problem is that I don't know what hours I will be working - it can be anytime at all - part time position - five 5 hour shifts a week. I'm taking a chance that I'll be offered nights as that is the only availability that I have - I currently have another part time job in which I make great money - this would strictly be for a little (and it is little!) extra cash and the free flying benefits.
The training is paid with a daily food allowance also.

Decisions, decisions...
Thanks again! You've all given me a lot to think about. Any other advice, gladly welcomed and appreciated.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Yes, but usually at only one resort at a time and many times that resort is under construction. This past October we got Pop for $70 per night for a preferred room while the resort was being upgraded. Three years ago we got carribean beach for about $100 while the main pool was closed. So while the rates are awesome, you can't choose your resort.

Totally not true. You need to find another interline agency. We've stayed at Pop and AKL (preferred room) and just canceled a trip where we were going to stay at Wilderness Lodge b/c my daughters chorus is going in the spring for a school trip. Rates definitely vary from resort to resort, but we've always chosen where we wanted to stay and never had any construction or amenities being out.

 

[PlaneJoy1]

Thank you all for your thoughts and advice. The airline I'm considering is JB which does not overbook its flights - so hopefully a little easier to determine likelihood of getting standby seats. Also, their standby system is not based on seniority - it goes by whomever is 1st to check in for standby- gets first dibs on any available seats.
Still haven't made a decision. My main problem is that I don't know what hours I will be working - it can be anytime at all - part time position - five 5 hour shifts a week. I'm taking a chance that I'll be offered nights as that is the only availability that I have - I currently have another part time job in which I make great money - this would strictly be for a little (and it is little!) extra cash and the free flying benefits.
The training is paid with a daily food allowance also.

Decisions, decisions...
Thanks again! You've all given me a lot to think about. Any other advice, gladly welcomed and appreciated.

Keep in mind that you'll most likely always work Thanksgiving, Christmas and just about every other major holiday. The airline industry has its perks, not as many as it used to, but we've gotten some major deals on things for last minute type travel (60 days or less to arrival).

JetBlue I've heard is a good employer to work for, but I have no personal experience with them. The training being only 16 days is probably one of the shortest I've seen. Many major airlines have 5+ weeks of training and only 1 visit home during that time.

Good luck on whatever you decide!