Which would you chose? Being a language teacher or a flight attendant?

Question

I am a language teacher, I'm thinking of becoming a flight attendant just to spice up my life. Knowing the fact that I'd be paid the same and I think being a flight attendant is a hard job I'm in two minds about it. What would you do if you were in my shoes?

Answer 1

In your shoes......I would continue being a language teacher! You worked hard to be where you are at I bet. And I'm sure the job is very rewarding. Do you work with kids? If you want to spice up your life then take a vacation and travel or pick up a new hobby or sport. Good luck!

Answer 2

I was going to be a language teacher. I wanted to do it abroad, mainly looking at Asia. I volunteered at Newcomer High School in San Francisco to see if it was what I wanted to do and it really was. I did the Flight Attendant interview just to practice doing interviews and it ended up being my career for 13 years.

I absolutely loved it, travelled to almost 60 countries. There were tough times, including bankruptsy and I went through a buyout. During that time, I seriously thought once again, of becoming a language teacher. I did end up "weathering the storm" (I'll spare you the story) but the idea of teaching was still something I gravitated towards.

I like working with the public and I hate 9-5 so being a F/A fit the bill. Teaching is good because it also isn't 9-5 and I think the contact with the students would have been more meaningful than the contact I had with the passengers but it was fun to meet so many interesting people, some even famous.

What marks these two professions is the team aspect. Do you like working alongside others or do you prefer the independance of having your own class, your own lessons, etc.? Think back and remember if you played team sports or other group activities. Did you enjoy that? Or is working alongside others actually something you miss?

My advice is apply, do the interview and see first hand what's going on. You may not even get your foot in the door so that decision will be made for you. Techers are well-viewed by the airlines so I feel you do have a good chance.

If you do succeed, they will be upfront about what is involved. They told us we could leave training at any time. We only had to say, it's not for me and they'd give us a ticket home, no discussion. They prefer it if you're honest and are happy to let someone else give it a shot. They have enough applicants!

Since you're a language teacher, I'm assuming you speak at least one foreign language and that will be a big plus when you apply. Pick a large, international carrier where you'll have more chances to use your skills. Tell them that at the interview. I did exactly the same and it worked for both airlines. I'm glad I didn't spend a lot of time doing domestic as that wouldn't have been as satisfying a career.

I think, in that case, I would have gone back to Plan A.

For the record, I'm no longer flying and have not given up the idea of teaching English as a foreign language. I just want my kids to get a little bigger first (just got the little one out of diapers finally!)

Good luck and give it a go!

Answer 3

Well, I am an international flight attendant and I can say that pretty much everything that's been said here is true. It can indeed be a thankless job and also a very demanding one.

People often just see the "glamorous" side of the job (free travel, etc) but consider this also.... everything in the airlines is done by seniority and as a new-hire yours will be zero. When you first start working for an airline your life is not your own, you totally belong to them. Not only will you be flying the least desirable trips, but you'll also be flying weekends and holidays. Are you prepared to be away from family/friends the next few Christmases and birthdays?

I say these things not to discourage you but only to give you the reality of the job. If you can get past all that and you genuinely enjoy working with people you'll find it is a wonderful career. If you have the opportunity you should try it, at least for a few years. You can always go back to teaching later.

Answer 4

Language Teacher.
I think being a flight attendant is a hard and risky job. I don't think I can stand on my two feet for a long time, serving people with a smile no matter how much of a jerk they are, and plus with all the heightened tension of air travel these days, I'd stay away from air flights. Pro: travel all over, but hey if you save enough from teaching language, you can travel too and be served instead of having to serve =)

If you want change, then go to another coutnry and teach the language there.

Answer 5

Hello!

Well, of course it's hard to say what to do exactly since we all come from different backgrounds and worlds, but I personally would choose a flight attendant.

The experiences you get from such a career would be great! I love to travel and that's one career where you can definitely "get around". Seeing new places, new faces and even getting the opportunity to see the world from above is fascinating to me.

As you said, becoming a flight attendant is a super tough job. Many people don't realize this so it's good that you already know there are some difficult aspects to it.

I'm sure you've asked yourself many things about this but just in case, here are some questions I would ask myself before committing:

Do I like to travel?

Do I like the idea of being away from home, family and friends for long periods of time?

Do I feel like hauling my belongings all over with me in 2 or 3 bags everywhere?

Do I feel like dealing with people from all walks of life?
There's certainly people of all attitudes who fly and you surely will deal with some of the best and very very worst.

Do I feel this would support me financially sufficiently?

Is this something I've always wanted to do?

If you answer yes to those and are aware of the risks involved, as well......I say Heck yeah! Go for it! :)

It will take you a long time to train for it. I have some friends who are flight attendants and the pros are, they do get to travel and meet sooo many people all over the world. The cons are, people can be really downright mean and inconsiderate and you have to be able to be firm yet professional with them and at times patience can really wear thin. Another con is being away from friends and family and at times it seems constant.

Good luck to you! I hope that, if you do end up choosing this as a new career, it's the best thing you've ever done! :)

Answer 6

years ago I was interested in becoming a flight attendant. I had a friend who was trained as a flight attendant in France and got caught up in a krishna cult while she was there cause she ran out of money, and it took a few years for her parents to get her out, they had to kidnap her from the krishna group. Anyway, I don't know that flight attendants are all that well paid, and they have layoffs.

I would suggest you get yourself more education and in a specialized field.that requires a degree or masters.

Answer 7

Stay a Language Teacher , Flight Attendants have hard, unpredictable and thankless jobs.

Answer 8

language teacher sounds so dull (no offense) while flight attendant sounds so cool. being able to socialize with lots of (perhaps) sexy stewardess and all. think about it. i must admit being male and flight attendant sound bad too (pilot is the rockstar of the sky).... like male nurse to a doctor. so i guess i'll be language teacher

Answer 9

i would stay as a language teacher,,,

flight attendants are often being mistreated by the male passengers...

being a flight attendant is good though, coz u can travel...

but sparing what you learn is much better right???

Answer 10

Not sure, cause you need lots of patience for both jobs and Lord knows I don't have much of that. People are difficult and annoying, so if you can tolerate that....you can be a flight attendant. But do you like to fly and can you tolerate constant turbulance? NOT ME!!!