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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!

1069 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...

1069 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 :)

1067 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!

1066 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!

1063 Votes

Can black men opt for the job of FLIGHT ATTENDANT? And what are the requirements needed to become one?

Asked by A.V.M about 13 years ago

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!

1060 Votes

How do you decide how much to pack when traveling (as far as clothes, toiletries, etc.)? And what are some necessities? Also, do FA's only take carry-ons or do they check luggage also?

Asked by GGM almost 13 years ago

Let me tell you, I still get it wrong sometimes. Just last month I was with a crew on what was originally a 2-day pairing, but our crew scheduling department was in a bind and needed a crew to operate down to Barbados and spend 2 days there before working the flight home. Well twist my arm, I guess I'll get paid to go suntan on the beach! Anyway, all of us only had one outfit with us (thankfully I had my bikini, never leave home without it!) and by the end of the four days we were all so sick of looking at each other and our recycled outfits that I still haven't taken that dress out of the closet since I got home.

The point is, you never know where you might end up during a last minute schedule change. In the summer it's not too problematic, a pair of flip flops, some shorts and a T and sunglasses will pretty much be appropriate no matter where you end up. In the winter though, you just learn to pack more or suffer the consequences. I bought a pair of ankle boots that can easily transition from city streets to snowy sidewalks, and I have been known to bring a larger suitcase just so I could have my long, down winter coat with me in New Brunswick (and was the envy of all my shivering crewmates in their work coat)!

Thankfully crew are, for the most part, exempt from the liquids and gels ban that so many governments have adopted so we can freely transport our makeup, and lotions and potions (and booze!) wherever we please. We don't have to check our luggage either, although I have seen crews from other airlines with longer pairings check additional suitcases. FAs at my airline typically bring three bags - a lunch kit (like a mini cooler bag), a suitcase, and a "flight bag", which can carry laptops and our manual.

Here are my neccessities:

swimsuit (such a pain to buy if you forget it and then end up spending the night in Cancun unexpectedly!)

pyjamas (I used to sleep in the buff but how am I gonna feel if the hotel fire alarm goes off in the middle of the night? Huddling in the nude with my co-workers and a hundred other strangers? No thanks.)

make-up (I'm not high-maintenance but c'mon)

phone + charger

at least one comfy change of clothes, ie: yoga pants and a long-sleeved T or jeans and a sweater so that at the very least I can join the crew for dinner in the hotel restaurant

flip flops and, in the summer, a sundress

If you forget some of the essentials you can usually ask the front desk for things like a charger or toothpaste. I've even borrowed clothes from another FA who I had met about 2 hours earlier. It's trial and error, but usually I get it right!

1059 Votes

Flight Attendant

Ask me anything!

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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...

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.

Can black men opt for the job of FLIGHT ATTENDANT? And what are the requirements needed to become one?

How do you decide how much to pack when traveling (as far as clothes, toiletries, etc.)? And what are some necessities? Also, do FA's only take carry-ons or do they check luggage also?

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...

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.

Can black men opt for the job of FLIGHT ATTENDANT? And what are the requirements needed to become one?

How do you decide how much to pack when traveling (as far as clothes, toiletries, etc.)? And what are some necessities? Also, do FA's only take carry-ons or do they check luggage also?

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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?"