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.
Hotel reservations for crew are under the airline's name, and organized by flight number. Once we check in, we can leave our name at the front desk, just in case someone needs to get a hold of us. Because there is no exchange of payment between the crew member and the hotel, you can't go charging things like extravagant meals and Dom Perignon to your room. Too bad!
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Congratulations on finishing your course!
The airline industry can be highly competitive and hard to crack, so if you're determined to become a flight attendant just keep applying to any airline you can. If you are willing to relocate, it will give you far more opportunities. Don't let being a foreigner stop you from applying - as long as you have a valid passport and no criminal record you are off to a good start! Once you have secured a job you can begin the process of getting a work visa. Some countries may be stricter than others, but I have co-workers who don't have Canadian passports and they still got hired! Visit the websites of any airline that interests you and check out their careers page, or check out http://www.flightattendantcareer.com for worldwide selection.
In the meantime, keep your ears open for job opportunities at the nearest airport. Becoming a customer service agent for an airline will give you an inside scoop about which airlines are hiring for the inflight department, and you'll get some experience in the industry to add to your resume.
I hope you find something!
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Ok, you're forcing me to admit that I bend the rules once in a while. I really have no problem with people taking photos or videos during take-off and landing because it's the most exciting part of the entire flight. Technically though, anything that can connect to the internet should be turned off completely for that portion of the flight (since there have been incidents of electronics interfering with aircraft systems), and most people nowadays use smartphones to take photos, and even cameras have wi-fi suddenly, so it's not really allowed. Please don't tell on me.
I have a far lower tolerance for people who happen to film or take a photo of me! Not that I'm anything special, but I have clever co-workers who make jokes on the PA during the safety demonstration (which I'll be acting out) and on occasion they get filmed and then posted on YouTube. *shudder* Fortunately I haven't gained online notoriety as "that embarrassed blonde flight attendant" yet, but I have seen a video on YouTube starring two of my friends doing the safety demo. Fortunately they both love it!
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The flight attendant schedule works out to be about half the month off. In Canada it's a requirement to be scheduled at least 13 days off a month, but usually I'll get a few more than that. So really, we're home more often than not, and we get more days off than the average 9 to 5-er, but we may end up working all weekends one month which makes it feel like we don't see friends as often. Most FAs I work with who are parents agree that they spend more time with their kids now than they did at their previous job, whether it was an office job or other shift work. You just have to be prepared to have your days off in chunks, so you may not see your spouse or kids for a week, but then you could have 9 days off in a row! It's unpredictable, but I still prefer it to the alternative!
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Hospice Nurse
Do most patients in hospice know they are going to die soon?
Air Traffic Controller
Have you ever ordered a pilot to abort mid-takeoff?
Sommelier
What's your favorite bottle of wine for under $20?
It is SO easy to get dehydrated on a plane, so I totally get it! I have no problem filling water bottles for guests provided we have enough water on board to complete service. What you can also do is bring an empty bottle through security and fill it up at a water fountain in the airport, or buy one in an airport store right before you board. We even sell bottles of water on the plane for people who know they'll want more than just one glass, but whatever you choose please don't feel bad for asking for water! If you ask politely for an extra glass, or to have your bottle filled, I can't see why the crew would say no.
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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!
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Well, if there was a rule that we all had to have a perfect track record before applying there would certainly be a shortage of flight attendants out there! You will need to submit to a medical before you can proceed to training, at which time you may need to disclose any medication you're taking. As long as you are diligent in taking that medication at the right times and in the right amounts, I don't see why that would prevent you from getting a job as a flight attendant, provided you have the skills they're looking for, like an empathetic demeanour, a flexible outlook, and a good work ethic to name a few.
I work with a number of people who have had to get help for various emotional or mental illnesses, so it's not unheard of. In fact, sometimes companies can be surprisingly accommodating and offer avenues for assistance, whether it means putting employees on modified duties until they feel recovered enough to return to their original work, providing insurance to cover prescriptions, or offering confidential counselling.
I can't give you any guarantees, but if you don't give it a shot you'll never know, right? There are claustrophobic FAs, bi-polar FAs, and those of us (like me) that are petrified of heights, but we find a way to work despite those things. So if it's something you really want to try you just have to go for it!
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