Is being a Flight Attendant a good career?

Question

I've been looking into becoming a flight attendant. It fits my personality perfectly. But I'm a little worried about the pay. I've read different things about how much it pays. Does anyone know if its a good "permanent" career? Do you get to move up? If anyone knows about the pay, please tell!!!

thank you!

Answer 1

The wife of a friend is a flight attendant and she loves it. It's not ideal when the kids are small but before you have children and after they're older; it's a great career.

As for whether it can be considered a permanent career, the article from first link below mentioned a lady who's been on the job since 1944. She's now 85 and still flying for United Airlines...I guess that's as permanent a job as any!

The second link mentioned the average salary for flight attendants for a regional airline as around $30,000/year. I'm sure it's higher for a national carrier. I also know meals and lodging are paid for by the airlines while you're away from your home base.

The advice of going to the airport and chat with the flight attendants there is a good one but it's reasonable to assume that many will not tell you the downside of the job while they're wearing the uniform of their airline. I'd also advise going to your public library and borrow some books on the occupation to read and find out more on the job and how and where to apply to become a flight attendant.

There's also a website (http://www.fabjob.com/flightattendant.asp) from which you can order an e-book (CD ROM) on the topic ($5 plus $5 S&H = $10 total). I have never ordered one so I wouldn't be able to recommend or not recommend but the description sounds interesting and informative. The free info on the site is good too!

By the way, they mentioned on the webpage that the starting pay for flight attendants can be as much as $ 25 per flight hour. It sounds pretty good except you need to fly 100 hours a month to make $30,000 a year. That'll come out to 25 hours a week or 5 hours of flying a day. I guesss that's a reasonable load.

Yet another link (http://www.flightattendant-jobs.com/) goes to a website that offers similar materials that you can download online for $ 8.99. I can't offer any recommendation or not either since I've never ordered it either. But the description also sounds good and the free info you can read on their website about the job is quite informative too.

Good luck!

Answer 2

The starting pay varies by airline but it is never very good; you're paid more for time spent actually flying and less for on-calls, and a junior flight attendant spends a lot of time on-call and not so much flying. So you shouldn't expect to earn more than $25,000 in your first year--- and that is even a very kind estimate.

You do get to move up but it is a slow process; the senior flight attendants don't leave as often as the juniors would like, and with airlines constantly downsizing and merging, you wind up with new folks coming into your home base team but having seniority over you, because they've been around longer and are only joining your crew because theirs is being dissolved. I have one friend who has been a FA for about 10 years and is still pretty close to the bottom of the pecking order.

I'd also be concerned about long-term career stability. Some airlines are actually removing a few seats from certain planes so they can eliminate a FA slot from the run and still comply with the FAA minimums. Benefits are nonexistant, especially retirement plans; you would have to do some very sharp investing to use your low salary to furnish a retirement.

If you have an alternate source of income--- rich husband/wife, iheritance, etc--- it's a fun job, but otherwise it may not be practical for you.

Answer 3

My partner works for British Airways and that is a pretty decent career. Pay is high than most other airlines, tangible benefits include an unlimited amount of cost only flights, discounted tickets for freinds and families, plenty of corporate benefits (health clubs, admission to events, language tuition etc), discounted hotel rooms, pension and several other bits n pieces.

The hours are long and the basic salary is supplemented by a variety of payments linked to the destination, the time you fly and what meals you are entitled too. Some airlines have a flat hourly rate.

As a previous answer mentioned, moving up through the ranks takes a while - everything is based on your joining date. The date determines your seniority and seniority determines who gets the first choice of fleet, promotion or position on an operating aircraft (hence the most senior tend to work in First Class).

Overall, you do get to see plenty of places, you join an established community and, if you partner is able to deal with the working hours, life is good!

Answer 4

I was told the pay depends on the airline you are working for and that you only get paid while you are in flight, So if you are grounded or the flight is delayed then you do not get paid. I could be wrong and this infor I got years ago.

I think it would be a good premanent career like any other. If you like it you stay for a long time.

It is good cause you get really got medical and/or insurance. You know in case.... of a crash. Dont think about that part.

You can alway go to an airport and talk to a flight atten. I think they would be more the willing to tell you about their job. or you can look up different airlines online and find out.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

If you like it then do it, Nothing is permanent anymore, from what I hear the pay is good, u get to travel see the world, stay in Hotels etc. Its not for everyone. As for moving up, I dont really know, move up to what? you cant become the Captain.lol. You can apply for office work and move up the chain, but then you cant be a flight attendant anymore.Cheers

Answer 6

The worst thing about being a flight attendent is that it is very much a senioriety based job. You start out low on the totem pole. That includes gettigng the worst schedules, and pay for the first few years. It also means, if the airline has to suffer cutbacks, you are the first one to go.

Answer 7

definitely! some airlines pay as much as $4000 a month, not including the benefits, allowances, etc.

Answer 8

Yes, if you like people it is great, chance to travel, benefits for vacationing abroad, decent pay and potential for advancement.