Is being a flight attendant a rewarding career?

Question

I was thinking about becoming a flight attendant. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience about this type of career? Is it as great as it sounds or is that smoke in mirrors?

Answer 1

Just a glorified waitress. But you do get to fly to a city and back everyday - maybe several times

Answer 2

If you like service work, yes. A good, professional flight attendant can make a flight so enjoyable compared to the monotonous, time=pushed attendants we sometimes encounter. The times are the same, some are more suited than others, and it shows.
If you are thinking about this, and are interested, pursue it.
There is a great well=paying career if you want to combine two careers, with flight attendant to begin. Take an EMT course, and be a flight medic (you don't have to be a nurse, and the pay is incredible, over a hundred thousand a year, if you are willing to FLY) Many aren't, and if you choose flight first, and get bored or slotted, or aren't properly compensated, try this. I seldom recommend this, as it is personally something I was considering before an accident. It was a dream I always did have. There aren't many risks, the inconveniences are the same as a flight attendant, with the added service of helping someone's life, and you are paid so well. Forget smoke in the mirrors, no one will give you anything but respect, and you will realize many dreams.

If you choose to remain a flight attendant, and have a gift for it, you could work for a private corporation, or work international flights with layovers. They choose the better, dedicated flight attendants, and then you could work first=class.

Answer 3

I have degrees in International relations and Political Science and speak French. If it were really a "waitress in the sky", I wouldn't have stuck with it for 13 years!

The people who hate it probably would do better with a more stable, 9-5 job. I hated working 9-5. I tried it. I wanted to escape it. I didn't want to see the same faces at work every day either. I craved variety. Not everyone does. It's not a sin to love 9-5 and seeing the same people all the time. That just wasn't me!

A woman once was very demeaning. She said "No one could pay me enough to do your job..." I laughed! "Sit in an office the same hours, the same days of the week and see the same people...sorry, I'll stick with this!"

I actually loved all the dramatic stories and interesting flights. I had babies being adopted from Asia and some famous people (Kylie is really nice!). I really learned some interesting aspects of human nature. One girl was crying, clutching a photo. I brought her some kleenex and told her "You'll see him again sooner than you think!" Once a lady freaked out because of a Sikh priest, whom she mistook for an Arab terrorist. Give me a break. She didn't even get the religion right! I always had a tale to tell at the pub that evening!

Sometimes it could be messy or crazy but anything dealing with the public will be. It's all part of the adventure and the squeemish need not apply.

I was lucky with my career in that I hardly did reserve (thanks to a bunch of people hired right after I was). I also took care with my bases, placing myself where international flying was possible at my seniority. I was flexible when I was single.

I used to put my trips together and then go traveling. As I wasn't paid much, I used to hang out in hostels and other budget accomadation. I wanted to see as much as possible and really take advantage. Often, I was asked "But I thought the company paid for your accomodation?" Too funny! The truth is that the "real" travel is on the off-hours.

I did get some exotic layovers. I went to Caracas, Helsinki, Rome, Hamburg, London, Paris, Karachi, Guatemala City, Hong Kong, Delhi, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Shanghai, Rio, Beijing, Seoul, Osaka, Honolulu and I scampered around the airport in Riyadh for a few hours... The travel I did my own is too long to list. I've been to almost 60 countries and all 7 continents. Antarctica was great and the cruise gave me an airline discount.

On a boat in Karachi, while fishing with some coworkers, I remember one guy anouncing "Okay folks, who wants to go back to 9-5??"

So people who have no idea what the job is really like can say what they want. I know the truth!

Answer 4

Don't listen to all the negativity here - it's a kickass jobs but like anything else sometimes stuff sucks.

The best parts of my job have been overnighting in Sydney, Australia because the plane broke with everything paid for by the company - room service, calls, internet and of course the room.

The worst parts have been bumpy or delayed flights with angry passengers onboard - but that's the job you agree to do - the flight attendants are supposed to turn the passengers around as much as they can and perform 'service recovey' (making people happy).

The job is rewarding - from babysitting cute litle kids to reassuring a scared passenger. No day is ever the same. I like not working normal 9-5 hours, but if your not keen on working 24/7 then it's probably not the job for you.
Whatever you choose, good luck =)

Answer 5

Like all the aspects of flying, it is not like it used to be.
I think it is personal. I would say some people like, some don't. One problem is that airlines tend to go bankrupt, go out of business and have ups and downs. So as a long term career, I do not see it being that good. I also would say the income potential is limited.
You would have to compare it to your other options.
Try to find a career aptiude book and take some tests, see what might be a good fit.
Also you could be a flight attendant for a few years, that could be good experience and you get to travel.

Answer 6

I don't mean to be rude to say this : a waitress in the sky

anyway, just follow what you're looking for in this job. Travelling? Meeting people? Tempting $$$? Obviously you'll be staying on call and most your personal time gone, either to be with your family or friends even lovers.

I have a friend who is now struggeling from the job. Yes she earned the $$ she wants, she went to most of the cities in the world she dreamed of, bought LV, Gucci & other branded stuffs. But at the end, she is lonely and wanted to quit (too bad is boned by 5 yrs contract and now it's only 2.5 yrs). " You see the nice thing outside, but it's a sad case inside that no one else will understand " ---this is what she comments about

I have thought of being a flight attendent before. But after a while I have changed my mind. I rather to be served by the flight attendent :P

So it's solely depends on what you're looking for.

Answer 7

LOL!
My sister in law is a trolley dolly!
Dishing out food and drinks to grumpy or indifferent people, mopping up sick and worse, spend your night in a poky room, to tired to see the sights, ready for the early morning flight back.
Glitz and glamour, forget it, more like work work work!
Yeah, a real good career move!
not!

Answer 8

Yes, until the plane crashes, which doesn't happen often, oops! We had several crashes last year!