Jordan
Toronto, ON
Female, 28
Space Waitress, Trolley Dolly, Stewardess...everyone has their own term for us. We are the baby-sitters, life-savers, servers, cleaners and all-around problem solvers for any and every in-flight issue. Sometimes we get a bad rep for being apathetic and miserable despite having what looks like a glamorous job, so here's a peek into the gritty details beneath the shiny surface to explain why the job - though incredible in lots of ways - is more than just snappy uniforms and matching luggage.
Try www.crewgear.com or www.ebags.com. At work we use Travelpro and Samsonite, but there are so many other brands out there to choose from!
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Phew! Thank you for not publicly denouncing me :) I've been flying a fraction of that amount of time so it's encouraging to know I'm not totally off base with my answers! Try following the Contact link at the bottom of the page to send the Jobster admin your contact info and they can forward it to me. I'd appreciate getting a second opinion on things from time to time!
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Jumping Jehosephat, you've already graduated at 15?? Well, if you're sure you're not destined to become a medical prodigy or some kind of physics genius then yeah, why not become a flight attendant?
The schedule is the trickiest and best thing about the job. It can be nerve-wracking, like on Reserve which is essentially a drawn out period of perpetual suspense not knowing if or when you'll get called to work a flight, and the schedule can also be frustrating - oh it's the long weekend and you want to party? Too bad, you're working 5 flights between Toronto and New York instead.
But it can also be Tony the Tiger Grrrreat! For example, I have a whole week off just because. And that comes in handy since I have really cheap flight benefits that give me no excuse but to take a trip as often as I can afford it. Or I can stay local and catch up with friends and family, and go to the mall on a Wednesday morning when there are no line-ups for the change room!
I suppose I do live out of a suitcase, but it's not as bad as you think. The worst part of that sentiment to me is the idea of constantly packing and unpacking. But if you buy two of each toiletry you need, and pick an outfit you like but won't miss too much when you're at home, you just keep it in the suitcase and it takes all the thought out of it. Don't worry, you get enough days off to spend at home to make up for life on the road. :)
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Well I don't know anyone personally who has worked at Emirates, but I can share with you the tidbits I've picked up about them here and there since working in the industry. Obviously they have an impressive product - that's maybe what attracted you to them in the first place - they are among the top luxury airlines out there today, offering crazy amenities like onboard showers and probably 20 course meals! But what does that mean for the flight attendants?
Emirates openly recruits from other countries and, like many companies operating out of Dubai, lures employees over with the promise of lots of tax savings to pad your bank account. That said, I'm not sure how competitive their actual wages are, but you can be sure you'll enjoy the tax breaks of living overseas. I think they have a fairly high turnover rate, simply because living in Dubai isn't for everyone. Even people I know who have enjoyed working in Dubai didn't stay past two years. Depending on where you're from, it can be a big culture shock, and you'll be required to live in shared accommodations arranged by the airline, with fellow flight attendants - which could be fantastic, especially for young workers like yourself, or it could be a challenge.
Finally, what I've heard about the work is that it's extremely demanding because their high quality of service requires a high tolerance for their rules. The uniform standards are quite strict (down to the shade of lipstick), and the customer is always, always right, so you might have to bite your tongue a bit.
Now that all sounds like I'm not a fan, but believe me, they are world-renowned for a reason and they must be doing something right! I think 21 is the perfect time to give it a shot and go for an adventure! You'll be working and living alongside like-minded people and you'll be paid to see parts of the world so many people never get a chance to visit. I just had a co-worker leave our airline for a similar situation in Abu Dhabi and she's always posting lust-worthy photos of white sand beaches and fancy hotels and expensive clubs so I take from that that she's having a blast.
If nothing else, try it for a year or two... and let me know how it goes!
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Hey, sorry for the late response! I did some digging on this and I think it comes down to the fine line of dreadlocks vs braids. According to the dresscode at my workplace, dreadlocks are 100% not allowed, however I've worked with guys before who have had long hair in thin, tidy braids who just pulled it back for service. If you haven't already had your interview I would suggest pulling the dreadlocks away from your face with a simple elastic that matches your hair colour, to show that they can be professional and presentable. Perhaps AA isn't as strict - there is definitely a spectrum out there - so I would keep the dreads until you're told otherwise. I hope it's ok!
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If you are the type of person that enjoys routine and structure, becoming a flight attendant will be extremely challenging. There are no guarantees when it comes to an FA's schedule, and while it affords a lot of flexibility, it can also drive people crazy. You will get more time off than at an office job, but you will work some weekends and holidays. There is a lot of unpredictability - you may be scheduled a 24 hour layover in NYC and buy tickets to a show, only to have bad weather cancel your flight and leave you stranded in Toronto. It's beneficial to have a laid-back attitude towards your schedule, and to realize that sometimes it will work with you, and other times against you.
Flying a lot has also made me really identify with the phrase, "there's no place like home!" Being on the road can get tiresome, and when I do finish work and get back to my apartment, I'm usually physically and emotionally pooped (being around people all day can really suck the energy out of me!) Not every FA feels that way of course, but I have noticed an increase in my desire to just stay in on my night's off. Boring I know. I do aim to go on a little trip each month though, even just to visit familiy and friends, so that I take advantage of the flight benefits that had me interested in the job in the first place. Getting on a plane on my day off can be the last thing in the world I feel like doing, but it's always worth it!
I feel really lucky to have the job that I do, I have so much more free time as a result, and I have no problem working an early morning one day and an evening flight the next. A LOT of FAs have other jobs on the side, or go to school, or volunteer. Many raise kids, care for their parents, and have pets. Becoming a flight attendant doesn't mean you can't make outside commitments, you just have to be flexible and embrace the irregularity of the work schedule!
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Of course! I've worked with plenty. The requirements vary a little bit from airline to airline but the basics are the same:
a high school education or equivalent
a valid passport
the ability to work and live in the country in which you're applying
a criminal background check of the previous 5 years for airport security clearance
a height or "reach" requirement
some customer service experience
This web page http://www.flightattendantcareer.com/faq.htm goes into a lot more detail, specifically about applying for jobs in the US, but you can also find out the requirements by checking out the Careers page on any airline's website. Just remember that you don't need a special course from a school or anything to become a flight attendant, the airline will give you all the training you need once you get hired. Happy hunting!
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