Ask a Flight Attendant anything

161 Questions

Last Answer on August 26, 2013

Are there any major international US airlines that hire foreign crew? If so, can they work if they have crew visas, providing they catch another flight out of the US and return to your home country and possible commute? Also do international charters

Asked by Donny about 13 years ago

Yes! To work for an American airline or charter, you will need a valid passport from whatever country you hail from, and you will have to apply for a work permit or visa. You can get lots of information about obtaining a visa at the US government website:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

Under some visas, you are permitted to live in the US for as long as you work for the company who has applied on your behalf. Otherwise, you can commute from an outside country. I recently worked with a woman who commuted to work in Canada from Indonesia. Definitely not a commute I would want to do but where there's a will there's a way!

1089 Votes

Can a boy with a mole (naevi) on his face apply for flight steward, though the mole is very small.

Asked by Ovais Shah almost 13 years ago

Of course! Hey, if God put it there, who is an employer to complain? Now if you had a bunch of facial tattoos, that would be another story...

1089 Votes

Hi;
My question today is " What happens when you don't pass your IOD exam after graduating? Do you get another opportunity to make up for it or is that it you get the boot?"

Asked by Yuli about 13 years ago

Well I hate to say this but... I have no idea what an IOD exam is! I asked some co-workers and they were as perplexed as I am. Give me a hint and I'll see if I can dig up any answers for you :)

1083 Votes

I have a telephone interview pretty soon with an American airline. What types of questions should I be expected to answer?

Asked by Crossingfinger almost 13 years ago

Well I was a little late in getting back to you so it could be that you've already had the interview (sorry!) but if not, I can pass along what I was asked during my interview. Apart from the general job-interview questions (Why do you want to work here? What would make you an asset to the company? What are your strengths, and areas that need improvement?), the focus was primarily on my customer service skills. I remember being asked to describe a situation where a customer was unhappy and how I redeemed their experience, and what I like about being in customer service.

My interview stages were a bit different from yours, since I had a group interview with about 30 other hopefuls, and then a one-on-one interview. The only phone interview I had was a language test (which I bombed). During the group interview they observed how we interacted with one another while working together on a simple assignment, (tip: always follow the rules they give you even if they seem pointless!) and then took turns speaking in front of each other (I had 60 seconds to talk about my favourite food. Piece of cake. Or should I say, piece of chocolate! mmm), to see how comfortable we were being in the spotlight.

I think as long as you have some good customer service stories in your back pocket, and showcase how welcoming and confident you are (good attributes for an FA!) you'll knock their socks off. Good luck!

1080 Votes

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Do you recommend working as a flight attendant temporarily? Say, a year or less, while trying to find another job?

Asked by nate almost 13 years ago

Well, the airlines won't thank me for saying so, but sure! It's a great experience to try and say that you've done it. But don't blame me if you say you'll stay for a year and end up staying ten. I see it All the time. It's just an addictive lifestyle!

Just be prepared that it can be quite a drawn out ordeal to get hired (sometimes 3 interviews and, in my case, a 7 month wait until a training slot became available) and the training is no joke. It's about a month long with a huge amount of information being thrown at you, and roughly 1/3 of that month will start with a pop quiz first thing in the morning. It might be hard to be motivated to get through training if you only plan to stay for a year and you're not that passionate about it. But like I said, you may end up liking it more than you expected, in which case it's a great investment of your time!

1078 Votes

I am a US based flight attendant with a major airline. I have been flying for over 19 years. I have found your websit very interesting and accurate. I am willing to help with any territory that you are unfamiliar with.

Asked by Robin about 13 years ago

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!

1078 Votes

Would most flight attenants welcome an invite to dinner and a chance to see the city they are staying in get away from the hotel and the crew for a bit? Or is that to risky?

Asked by Ray almost 13 years ago

Well, getting away from the hotel and crew is one thing, but accepting an invite to dinner is something else entirely. It's not uncommon for crews to split up, particularly in places where there's lots to do so it's easy to make plans in advance (for example, Las Vegas - some FAs go for the shopping, others for the gambling, some for buffets and some for clubs. Getting the whole crew to agree on a game plan is nearly impossible there). So yes, definitely flight attendants welcome the chance to get out of the hotel, get some fresh air (after all, they've been on a metal tube all day!) and grab a bite to eat.

I think it's really nice of you to want to take someone out and show them the city, especially since having a local as your guide is the best way to explore a new place. I think whether or not they accept will depend on

a) your approach - if you're open to hanging out with the crew as a group that'll be 'safer', also don't pry into which hotel they're staying at. Let the FA divulge that information if and when they want to.

b) the personality of the FA - if they're single and ready to mingle they're more likely to say, "sure, why not?", and

c) the location. Some destinations airlines fly to are at a higher risk for crime so crews tend to stick together and not leave the hotel as often in those places.

If you want to go for it I give you my blessing! I myself have never (intentionally) met up with a passenger after a flight but I know others who have. I hope it works out for you!

1077 Votes

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Flight Attendant

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Are there any major international US airlines that hire foreign crew? If so, can they work if they have crew visas, providing they catch another flight out of the US and return to your home country and possible commute? Also do international charters

Can a boy with a mole (naevi) on his face apply for flight steward, though the mole is very small.

Hi;
My question today is " What happens when you don't pass your IOD exam after graduating? Do you get another opportunity to make up for it or is that it you get the boot?"

I have a telephone interview pretty soon with an American airline. What types of questions should I be expected to answer?

Also on Jobstr...

Do you recommend working as a flight attendant temporarily? Say, a year or less, while trying to find another job?

I am a US based flight attendant with a major airline. I have been flying for over 19 years. I have found your websit very interesting and accurate. I am willing to help with any territory that you are unfamiliar with.

Would most flight attenants welcome an invite to dinner and a chance to see the city they are staying in get away from the hotel and the crew for a bit? Or is that to risky?

Flight Attendant

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

Are there any major international US airlines that hire foreign crew? If so, can they work if they have crew visas, providing they catch another flight out of the US and return to your home country and possible commute? Also do international charters

Can a boy with a mole (naevi) on his face apply for flight steward, though the mole is very small.

Hi;My question today is " What happens when you don't pass your IOD exam after graduating? Do you get another opportunity to make up for it or is that it you get the boot?"

I have a telephone interview pretty soon with an American airline. What types of questions should I be expected to answer?

Also on Jobstr...

Do you recommend working as a flight attendant temporarily? Say, a year or less, while trying to find another job?

I am a US based flight attendant with a major airline. I have been flying for over 19 years. I have found your websit very interesting and accurate. I am willing to help with any territory that you are unfamiliar with.

Would most flight attenants welcome an invite to dinner and a chance to see the city they are staying in get away from the hotel and the crew for a bit? Or is that to risky?

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Hi;
My question today is " What happens when you don't pass your IOD exam after graduating? Do you get another opportunity to make up for it or is that it you get the boot?"