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.
Bunyan Jr, cute ;)
Well please don't hate the messenger but I have yet to come across any rules or rights that can help you out. With the exception of taxi, take-off and landing, anyone can recline their seatback whenever they feel like it. My advice to you is, recline your own seat for the extra space, and if at all possible, try to reserve a seat in the emergency exit row! There will usually be an extra fee attached to selecting a seat in advance but it'll cost way less than first class and that thirty or so bucks could translate into several extra inches of legroom depending on the aircraft model.
If you really can't spare the money, just be sure to check in online ASAP (usually 24 hours before departure) to see if any seats in the emergency exit or bulkhead rows are still available. I work a lot of flights where those seats are still empty after takeoff. Failing that, charm the pants off the customer service agents who check you in and oversee boarding. They can pull more strings when it comes to seat assignments than flight attendants. Good luck!
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I love to be here, and I love that you love this! Thanks Jobstr Boys!
*group hug*
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Congrats on the offer!
Definitely check out the answer I offered to the previous question:
"I'm pursuing a Flight Attendant career, the only concern I have is, if and when, for any reason, I get relocated, the problem isn't getting relocated, as much as, what do I do, live in motels until I can find a place to live close to the airport?"
So many pilots and FAs commute (ie: fly) to work, it proves that just because a position is based in a certain city, it doesn't necessarily mean you have to live there. Always ask for suggestions from other co-workers and your trainers, but it IS possible to happily commute, despite what naysayers may have you believe.
A lot of FAs will move a couple times before they find something right for them. If you're a homeowner or have kids or a spouse to uproot, of course moving will require a lot of consideration. The best way to make an informed decision about where you want to live, is to work at the airline for a while to get a sense of what works and what doesn't for commuters and locals alike. If it's at all possible, I'd recommend finding a temporary living situation in the new city (a rental, or a friend/co-worker's spare room) until you know more about the work, and what kind of schedule you'll be given, so that you can plan accordingly.
Your new co-workers will be an invaluable resource when trying to decide where to live. Moving can be intimidating, but your fellow crew members will have lots of suggestions (maybe conflicting!) about which neighbourhoods are best to look in, renting vs owning, driving vs transit, etc. When I began training, I requested the emails of the other new hires that would be in my class, so we could swap advice about finding places to stay and car rental. It was informative, helped calm my nerves, and even landed me a roommate.
You've got some tough decisions ahead but you can always change your mind if what you've decided isn't working out. Good luck!
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I wish it did! Unfortunately no, I'm guessing that even rudimentary knowledge would be way beyond the capacity of many flight attendants. Add to that the fact that we will (hopefully!) never put that knowledge into practice and consequently we'll forget it pretty quick. There are so many controls and dials and buttons up in the flight deck that I bet we would do more damage than good if we sat in the Captain's seat. The responsibilities and areas of expertise of the flight crew and flight attendants are very exclusive. Just watch a pilot step into the galley and fumble around looking for the sugar for their coffee and you'll get a sense of how little our knowledge overlaps!
I have worked with a couple pilots that make a habit of showing their crews how to shut off the engines while on the ground, or to turn on the radio while in flight, for example, so there are some pilots out there who agree with you that we should know at least a couple basics.
I've even flown with FAs who have their piloting license which is a great card to pull out of your hat if both pilots conk out. But... if you're flying with me? Sorry I guess we're all doomed!
Happy Flying!
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Subway Store Manager
The 6" sub is too small and the 12" is too big. Why no 9-inch sub?
Flight Attendant
What's the scariest flight you've ever been on?
Hairstylist and Makeup Artist
What's the grossest hair ailment you ever saw?
Hmm that's not suspicious at all... what on earth are you trying to transport? A Commodore 64? A suitcase of Smartphones? Robocop? I'm not sure that there is a limit but you'll have to be a bit more specific. Some electronics are considered dangerous goods and therefore are prohibited on all passenger aircraft.
The value of the electronics is irrelevant unless you are a) concerned about potential damage and want it insured or b) are leaving the country and passing through customs - but neither of those issues are dealt with through the airline.
Weight restrictions for all luggage, whether checked or carry on, will vary from airline to airline, and should be posted on their website.
Sorry I can't help you further but I'd need more details!
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Relocating is a reality in the airline industry, so it's great that you're preparing for it. Ideally you'll have enough notice to arrange a living situation before the moving date but if you don't, you have a couple options.
- commute! I don't live in the city in which my airline is based, so sometimes I have to fly 4 hours to start my shift. It sucks, but a lot of flight crew do the same thing. When you consider that you could realistically only have 4 shifts in a month (each lasting 4-5 days) you'll only be doing that commute 8 times. Depending on how far away you live, that could work out to being fewer hours than a typical drive-in commute for an office worker. Also, the cost of the flights should be pretty low if your airline offers travel benefits, or even covered entirely by the company depending on where you live.
- get a crash pad. Ask around at work - there are probably fellow employees who live close to the airport who have spare rooms that they offer to commuters for a nightly or monthly rate. Or, some commuters chip in and rent an apartment or house together as an alternative to hotels. If you're willing to have a roommate, you can check crew rooms for ads or on the company's internal website to see who else is in the same boat. For my training in another city, another FA and I rented rooms in a Captain's house - who worked so often that I literally saw him once during my entire stay.
- hotels. Not the greatest option considering how quickly it will add up, but if you do find yourself in a position where you have to spend a couple weeks in a hotel, ask around for crew rates. There will probably be a list of hotels that the airline has agreements with posted on the airline's internal website, but cold calling hotels in the area will also yield some deals (I recommend calling the front desk directly, and not the chain-wide 1-800 number). Most hotels will give crew discounts if you show your work ID at check-in, and I've had as low as $60 a night. Still not very sustainable for the long term, but better than full price!
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Hey there! I get asked this question a lot and I can happily say that the airline takes care of that for you! You get your own room for every city you stay in, usually the whole crew will stay at the same hotel, and transportation to and from the airport is also pre-arranged. Most hotels selected by airlines have certain amenities as well, ie: a fitness centre, access to a crew room (a room with a fridge and microwave if they aren't in your room already), a restaurant either on the premises or very close-by, and free wi-fi. And if you're Really lucky and spending a night (or even a week at some airlines!) in a Carribbean locale, you'll end up at an all-inclusive! So. Much. Fun.
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