Is anyone a flight attendant? Need Advice.

[siouxi31]

Lately I've been struggling with the age old question of what I should be doing with my life. I'm completely unhappy and know that I'm responsible for my own happiness but I just can't seem to find it. Everything that would make me happy is not here. As I was in the library a few weeks ago I walked past the best seller shelf and found "What Should I Do With My Life" by Po Branson. I took me a couple of weeks to begin reading it but now that I have read most of the book I'm so glad that I checked it out!
The book is in the Self-Actualization category and is a series of short interviews with several people who are doing what they want to in life and are happy. The jobs are not neccessarily glorious and I wonder how these people are planning for their future with minimal income but at the rate I'm going I'd die on my day of retirement. Seriously, the stress is so bad that I can feel it running through my muscles.
After reading the book I thought about things that really make me happy. For example, I would love to have time to take care of myself and I like to excersize. I thought of buying some sort of workout franchise like Curves but then I realized that my bigger love is travel. If I bought a store, I'd be tied down to it and then miserable. Then it hit me! I wanted to be a flight attendant ever since I could remember. I love going places no matter where they are. I don't care if I never own a plasma television since my needs are travel oriented only. It always boggled my mind to see that people would rather purchase a 35,000 SUV instead of something less expensive and use the leftover money for a trip.
Well, I'm in hot pursuit of how to become a flight attendant.
My only needs are 1) no relocation, 2) must have benefits (health insurance for me and my family since my husband has none).
Does anyone know how to break into this industry? I'm assuming since I'm in Chicago that I should check into United first. Does anyone have any thoughts about working for United? Drawbacks to being a flight attendant?

 

[PamOKW]

Until we get some first-hand reports here, this might be of help.

Flight Attendant Background

You might also want to look at the site for the Flight Attendants' Union. My guess is that most flight attendants start out on a part-time basis so that they don't have to pay the benefits. United is in bankruptcy so I would suspect they may follow that policy.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

Not me personally, but our friend was. I say was because she quit after a while. She said she was tired of always waking up in another country, not knowing what day/time it was etc. Of course since she had the lowest seniority she got the worst times/travel destinations. But one good thing came out of it. While she had a layover in Ireland, she went into a bar and met her now husband and they have a beautiful little girl, except now when they visit his family, they have to pay for airline tickets. I actually saw a show on tv about what american airlines flight attendants have to do for training. It is really hard. I think they had to train in a pool for water landings. Good luck with your career.

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Well, good for you...I just interviewed with Southwest in late March and I'm 51! I used to be a flight attendant for a smaller regional carrier in Boston in the 70's to early 80's. This time around, I too felt like doing something different in my life, (as my DD is off to college in the fall and my job is the non-advancing type to say the least!). So I applied, was interviewed, but unfortunately I did not get the job, but, I will not give up!

I found this website: ( Flight Attendant Careers ) before my interview and it helped out a lot! I knew just what they wanted to hear at the interview, studied, rehearsed what I was going to say...but the day the interview came and I spoke totally of something different than I had rehearsed....I knew I blew it the moment I started talking!!
That website above is really good and she(Kiki) updates who's hiring and has informational packets (interview overviews) that you can purchase (like I did) with a blow by blow of what actually the interview will entail with each airline!

As far as relocating...most times you will have to, but if you start with airlines that have a large "junior" base in Chicago (like United) you should be okay, but you'll never know till you try! You can commute, it's tough sometimes, but it can be done! And...
It's not as glorious of a job as some make it out to be...but I just loved it and the benefits used to be wonderful!

Don't give up on your dreams! I'm sure you'll get more advice.....there are a lot of FA's onboard the DIS!

 

[newmousecateer]

I don't have any advice really, except that if you want to stay in Chicago why not try Southwest or ATA?

And good luck!!

 

[cynsaun]

Since you are already in Chicago you could try for Southwest. This company has been on the best places to work list for a many years. The company offers benefits, including a 401k program, and the people are fun.

Chicago Midway is one of Southwest's domiciles and one of the more junior based (for pilots at least), and you may be able to hold a line there without having to commute.

I can tell you that Southwest is has been good to us. My husband has been a pilot for over four years there, and we haven't regretted one minute of it! United isn't as friendly, and we have heard many stories from people that have left them to work at SWA!

Whatever you decide, good luck to you!! Feel free to PM me with any questions about SWA!

 

[rbuzzotta]

I was a flight attendant for 10 years. I did enjoy the job and the travel. I was forced transferred out of my base in Boston to NY. Yes, I could have commuted and eventually get back to Boston but at the time, it wasn't right for me and my family. I left and went to nursing school and got my BSN but now I am a stay at home mom..................I love it!!

Training school may take you away from your family for 4-6 weeks depending on which airline you go with. The pay isn't what it used to be but the job is good, especially since you wish to travel.

The travel benefits are wonderful (I retired with flight benefits) but it is difficult at times to pass ride, especially into Orlando.

Any questions, please feel free to PM me..........

 

[Jynohn]

I used to be a flight attendant for ATA and I LOVED it. I had to stop because of an inner ear disorder that made frequent flying next to impossible, but I miss it very much and hope that someday I'll be able to do it again.

Training is very long and difficult however. Our training lasted for 6 weeks, and we had classes all day, 6 days a week. There was a test or practical every day of class, and you needed to pass with at least a 90% or you were asked to leave. In our class of 19, we lost 6 people by the end of the training. You will spend the majority of time in training going over evacuation procedures, first aid, cpr, FAA regulations, etc. Very little time is actually spent on the "service" end of it, which made it very frustrating to be treated like a "flying waitress" on the job. If only all the passengers knew how much we had to go through to get there!

Flight attendant school is often referred to as "Barbie bootcamp" because the instructors will act like drill sergeants going over grooming standards with you. Nails, hair, uniform and makeup is inspected every day and if you don't follow their guidelines, again, you're asked to go home.

Airline interviews are VERY intimidating and you should make sure you're very well prepared. You'll usually be asked to stand in front of a large crowd and introduce yourself and tell them why you want to be a F/A. Whatever you do, DON'T say "because I love people and I love to travel." EVERYONE says that. They're looking to hear that you have great customer service skills, etc.
Also, don't mention that you're anything but thrilled to relocate. Chances are VERY good that you will have to move to another base until you gain seniority, and if you show the slightest hesitation about moving you will not be selected.

Sorry this post is so long, but I hope it's helpful. I've interviewed with Delta, United, American and ATA and was selected by all but United, so I'd be glad to help you out with interview tips, etc.

Feel free to PM anytime!

Jynohn

 

[siouxi31]

I would like to thank everyone for the responses you sent. They have been very helpful in assisting my evaluation of this career and the company that I would like to pursue.

I'm hearing great things from people who work for SouthWest.

Last night I did checked out a book from the library about pursuing a career as a flight attendant. It's in the car right now and I cannot recall the title but it was written by a man who has been a flight attendant since the 70's. It seems VERY helpful with airline company requirements, websites to visit for job postings, what to expect at an interview, how to get noticed, etc.

I'm not looking for an easy job, just a job doing what I love. I'll be thinking about this for awhile before I take the plunge for a couple of reasons. First, because I tend to get very passionate very quickly once I have a "brainstorm" that does not always turn out to be a good idea and Secondly, because my salary as a flight attendant would be about 1/3 to of what it is now.

My husband doesn't know about this yet and he'll probably flip when I tell him about the salary part. But, this is the first time in several years that I feel I have a goal in life other than to be a stay at home mom (which can't be because I support the family with insurance benefits through my job).

We only live one life and though I've tried to talk myself into thinking I was happy, I'm not. The thought of pursuing my love has given me new life.