FA's - Give me the real story.

I want to know your experience with the airline you work for. I am very interested in becoming a flight attendant. Do you have families? How hard is it to be away? Do you live in the city where you're based? If not, how does that work? How long are you actually gone at a time? How much did your salary actually start as?

Thanks in advance.

Each airline may provide a slightly different experience. I suggest you peruse the 100 forums that are already up.

Gatorgirl13--InFlight in Richmond Hill gave a great suggestion. Things do differ in the airline business. I have 12 yrs experience as a Flight Attendant..5 yrs in commercial ie: United, American and 7 yrs in Corporate Aviation (Private Jets). The latter is alot more difficult to get into, but the pay is far greater! Most months I made from 4,500 to 9,000, and most of my travel was around the world, with long layovers (many times 2 to 3 weeks away) I almost felt guilty at times laying by the pool in Bali, Indonesia or Singapore. But the crew was required to stay with that aircraft. The work is more personalized in Corporate. I did all of the Catering/ Meal planning and many times shopping for specialized items (flowers, special food requests, breads from bakeries, etc.) I got married in 2009 and the Flight Attendant lifestyle was no longer a desire to be fulfilled! I will be starting a new job "on the ground" in a few weeks. About living in the city where you're based: I knew many F/A's who successfully commuted to their domicile. It can work if you arrange a crash-pad (an apartment where several crew members pitch-in on rent)in your base city. I personally think this gets difficult if you have small children, but others may prove me wrong. I have serveral friends in Commercial and the starting rate for some airlines is 16.00 to 19.00 per hour--not including per-diem. Usually you are guaranteed 75 to 80 hrs per month which doesn't add up to much..but the flight benefits for you and your family are an added bonus. There's nothing like being a Flight Attendant, world's best job--even if it's just for a short season of your life! If you love working with the public and traveling..go for it! If not...save yourself alot of headaches--LOL!! All the best to you.

Upward - Thank you for taking the time to respond. I have been staring at this website for hours looking for a lot of these answers, as PP has suggested and found nothing that was of any use. I realize each airline is different, but I figured most people wouldn't mind discussing their personal experience. I mean, who doesn't like talking about themselves? ;) I don't mind commuting, I am just not sure how it works being away from your domicile. Can one catch a flight back home on their off days? How difficult is it to find/set up a crash pad in your domicile city? I enjoy working with the public. I've done it my whole life and am very comfortable with it.

Laura in Palm Harbor, Florida said: Upward - Thank you for taking the time to respond. I have been staring at this website for hours looking for a lot of these answers, as PP has suggested and found nothing that was of any use. I realize each airline is different, but I figured most people wouldn't mind discussing their personal experience. I mean, who doesn't like talking about themselves? ;) I don't mind commuting, I am just not sure how it works being away from your domicile. Can one catch a flight back home on their off days? How difficult is it to find/set up a crash pad in your domicile city? I enjoy working with the public. I've done it my whole life and am very comfortable with it.

Hi Laura,
Yes, you can catch a flight back home on your day off. One airline I worked for only required a 2 hr response time for duty--meaning if you are on reserve, which you probably will be when you first start, you have to be close enough to the airport when they call you to fill in for sick calls, no shows, etc. Most airlines also have trip trading available..trade trips with your co-workers to make it easier for commuting. It's not hard at all to find crash pads! There are postings in crew check-in areas, but word-of-mouth is the best way to find one. Just ask a flight attendant..they will know, or know someone that does. You can also try doing a search for crew crash pads.
Have a great day.

Okay, so im completely new at this im having a hard time understanding. Can someone help? Im about 3 months away in alomst being enrolled with International Air and Hospitality Academy. Its located in Vancouver, Washington. Ever heard of it? I dont know if this is even the right place to get that kind of information. I live in a small town and noone has seemed to even know what im talking about.

Jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: Okay, so im completely new at this im having a hard time understanding. Can someone help? Im about 3 months away in alomst being enrolled with International Air and Hospitality Academy. Its located in Vancouver, Washington. Ever heard of it? I dont know if this is even the right place to get that kind of information. I live in a small town and noone has seemed to even know what im talking about.

It depends. I did one of those schools in Daytona. But you really don't need it..try to apply for colgan or mesa. Get your experience and then you can apply for better airlines.

Well this school ive been looking into gives a big variety of different jobs in the Airline Industry not just flight attandant. Is this similar to what you did in Daytona?

yes i was going to go to that school but i ended up not going. Sure you go with them you have chances of employment but i think you can avoid spending that money and still become a flight attendant. No one is born with qualifications there is always a start. Do you have any college experience?

No when i graduated High School I went to Cosmetology school and almost quit for flight attandant but chose to finish what I started and here i am almost 3 years later back to where i started.

jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: No when i graduated High School I went to Cosmetology school and almost quit for flight attandant but chose to finish what I started and here i am almost 3 years later back to where i started.

Jess,

If you want to be a flight attendant try applying to Mesa, Colgan or Pinnacle until you get your experience. Then once you are in the industry you will be able to climb to a better company. Try...and then if they don't accept you then do the training those schools cost money wouldn't it be better to spend it on a degree? Do you want the website for who's hiring I can send it to you.

Please, If its not too much trouble. This is a tremendous decision for me to make. I just want to get all the information i can to help me make the right decision.

jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: Please, If its not too much trouble. This is a tremendous decision for me to make. I just want to get all the information i can to help me make the right decision.

Here you go...www.flightattendantcareer.com/hiring_info.htm try to apply ..hope things go well :D

Thank you SO.... much for the help! Wish you the best as well! : )

Jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: Okay, so im completely new at this im having a hard time understanding. Can someone help? Im about 3 months away in alomst being enrolled with International Air and Hospitality Academy. Its located in Vancouver, Washington. Ever heard of it? I dont know if this is even the right place to get that kind of information. I live in a small town and noone has seemed to even know what im talking about.

Jess,
DO NOT GO TO THAT SCHOOL!!!! I just graduated from that school in September and it is a scam and a waste of time. First off all of the school work is 15 years old stuff you will never ever use and thats coming from the teachers. You barely even cover any flight attendant work. The only flight attendant stuff you learn is the safety equipment which is all outta date. The airlines dont want to hire anyone that has gone to this school which I know because of personal experience and from other students. They dont care about you at all it's just about money to them. Yes there is airlines that do come there and it was just Mesa and Atlantic Southeast and they just let some students apply. They do not help you get a job. Oh by the way you live in the ghetto where all the drug sellers and hookers are not joking and the apartments are all in very bad shape. Please save your 10 grand and just get a great resume done and focus on customer service. I wish I never went there.

WOW!! Thanks, Ive been so worried!! Your saying its not worth my time? Im from SOUTH MISSISSIPI i dont wanna travel that far for some ghetto parks. Ive talked to an administrator like 5 times and i quote her... they train for the all over airport program?? But are you telling me they wont help me get a job down toward the south? I talked with a girl form California and she was 3 weeks into the program and she said she's learned alot???

Jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: WOW!! Thanks, Ive been so worried!! Your saying its not worth my time? Im from SOUTH MISSISSIPI i dont wanna travel that far for some ghetto parks. Ive talked to an administrator like 5 times and i quote her... they train for the all over airport program?? But are you telling me they wont help me get a job down toward the south? I talked with a girl form California and she was 3 weeks into the program and she said she's learned alot???

It is not worth your time. The recuriters are paid to say that. My classmate confronted hers and my recurter and I quote "Were only here for the money". They will not help you get a job. You dont get trained for jobs all over the airport. Heres what you learn
3 weeks spent on Fare Construction which is done from a book that the teachers had said you wont ever use this.
2 weeks on Ticketing once again from a book never use
Maybe a week on Flight Attendant stuff that is outta date
then the 20 weeks of Apollo system that only United uses
The person that does the resumes has no idea about resumes my class of 16 complained non stop about it.
1/2 of using the sticks to marshal cars around the parking lot.
1 week of opps which was coping from one page to another.
Then there was the 3 weeks of hotel,cruise and tours which was a waste of time. Oh better not for get all the tv and movies that you watch. Go to pissedoffconsumer.com for more reviews on the school. Everything on there is so true. Even the classrooms has leaky roof and holes in the ceiling. My classroom smelt so bad that I got sick form it and we had to leave. Please do research on it before you go. No one in my class got a job

I will definitely do research on this school!! Do you have any other suggestions on any training or what i should do?

Jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: I will definitely do research on this school!! Do you have any other suggestions on any training or what i should do?

Jess, everything I have read on the subject says that Airlines want to train you themselves... each airline has it's own curriculum that is particular to them. Apply for the airlines you are interested in and when you are hired, they will send you to training... and several airlines actually 'pay you' while you are in training. Do not waste your money or time on an outside school. Best of luck to you!

Thanks!! Thank you all again for your time and information you were all much help to me and to my pocket!!! : )

Jess in Lucedale, Mississippi said: Okay, so im completely new at this im having a hard time understanding. Can someone help? Im about 3 months away in alomst being enrolled with International Air and Hospitality Academy. Its located in Vancouver, Washington. Ever heard of it? I dont know if this is even the right place to get that kind of information. I live in a small town and noone has seemed to even know what im talking about.

The school was ok. But Housing is AWFULL!!!!! There is absolutely no control at this apartment complex. Non Stop!! partying and drinking and drugs. My roomates we always DRUNK!. There were guys staying all night (in a all female apt). The apartments are very run down. Curfews!!! What a joke!! Don't waste your money on their housing! It's Scary there. Ya..they have a security guard, but you never see him and when you do, he doesn't do anything. There was a Drive By SHOOTING!!!! while I was there. I liked the school. I just wish the housing would have been better! DON'T do their housing!!!

IVJ in Vancouver, Washington said: The school was ok. But Housing is AWFULL!!!!! There is absolutely no control at this apartment complex. Non Stop!! partying and drinking and drugs. My roomates we always DRUNK!. There were guys staying all night (in a all female apt). The apartments are very run down. Curfews!!! What a joke!! Don't waste your money on their housing! It's Scary there. Ya..they have a security guard, but you never see him and when you do, he doesn't do anything. There was a Drive By SHOOTING!!!! while I was there. I liked the school. I just wish the housing would have been better! DON'T do their housing!!!

when did you graduate from this school? did you get a job? ill be going to the school next month, now reading these comments im afraid to go. is the program worth it if my financial aide covers it? is the housing really that bad do you have any pictures you could send me.

I graduated in Nov. 2011. I did get a job. I am a FA with Express Jet. I liked the school. It gave me the tools that I needed to interview with the airlines, cruise lines, travel company's etc. It's the housing that was awful. It's the immaturity of the people staying there. All they want to do is party. None stop drinking and smoking. The cleanliest of the apt. wasn't too bad. They are outdated. Unfortunately I don't have any pictures. If I had it to do over again I would find someplace else to live.

I was accepted and will be starting in September. Is the classroom work really out to date? How much did you learn? I want to be a flight attendant so badly but if all I have to do is just apply for the job then I would much rather do that then live in the Ghetto! Please help!! Tell me everything you know!

omg reading all these comments is making me re-think about applying here and going here for 20 wks. hahaha. cuz i was actually thinking about going to this school its 12 hrs north from where i live. i already applied for financial aid just need to enroll but now im scared. i do wanna be certified though, it would probably help you get a job as a flight attendant WAY faster/easier.

Chengy, it won't.

I'll give you a tip that our COO once said. (He made it a point to be at every newhire interview).

He knew "Within 30 seconds of you walking into the door to the open house if he was going to hire you our not." (qouote)

Here is the thing about airlines. (or any customer service related job). **ANYBODY** can be taught rules and regulations. What people can NOT be taught is personality and empathy. How you walk into the room, how you engage people when you talk. Do you run to the back of the room and sit and not talk to anyone, how do you look when the recruiters are talking.. If you can project that you are a genuinely nice person who is sincere about providing the best possible customer service than you have an upper hand in moving forward in the selection process.

These flight attendant school are an absolute JOKE. borderline scams. Everything to do with aviation, company policy, FAA/DOT regulations, security training, 1st aid training, evacuations/emergency training, how to serve a flippin drink.. all of that is trained by each individual airline, with the most current relevant information. These classes will not help you one bit, and they will NOT help you in landing a job, and in worst case scenarios.. it could hinder your ability to be hired because you then have to unlearn all the incorrect things you've been taught.

chengy0387 in Santa Rosa, California said: omg reading all these comments is making me re-think about applying here and going here for 20 wks. hahaha. cuz i was actually thinking about going to this school its 12 hrs north from where i live. i already applied for financial aid just need to enroll but now im scared. i do wanna be certified though, it would probably help you get a job as a flight attendant WAY faster/easier.

Hey my name is alijah email me at alijahhinson@yahoo.com I go to the school now I'm laying in my bed in housing with my roommate it's a great school don't let the reviews scare u because I almost let it scare me but I came and I couldn't b more happy.... Yes the younger immature students do party on Fridays and Saturday's but u would c that in any school or college u go to I'm on my 10th week here and have learned so much send me a email so we can talk more please don't b discouraged this school is great

clippedwings in Saint Charles, Missouri said: Chengy, it won't.

I'll give you a tip that our COO once said. (He made it a point to be at every newhire interview).

He knew "Within 30 seconds of you walking into the door to the open house if he was going to hire you our not." (qouote)

Here is the thing about airlines. (or any customer service related job). **ANYBODY** can be taught rules and regulations. What people can NOT be taught is personality and empathy. How you walk into the room, how you engage people when you talk. Do you run to the back of the room and sit and not talk to anyone, how do you look when the recruiters are talking.. If you can project that you are a genuinely nice person who is sincere about providing the best possible customer service than you have an upper hand in moving forward in the selection process.

These flight attendant school are an absolute JOKE. borderline scams. Everything to do with aviation, company policy, FAA/DOT regulations, security training, 1st aid training, evacuations/emergency training, how to serve a flippin drink.. all of that is trained by each individual airline, with the most current relevant information. These classes will not help you one bit, and they will NOT help you in landing a job, and in worst case scenarios.. it could hinder your ability to be hired because you then have to unlearn all the incorrect things you've been taught.

Are you kidding me???? We have recruiters in and out day by day it's says on job requirements that it likes training schools so where do u get ur knowledge from.???? The school just placed 14 students how do u explain that.? Everything I have learned will help me in the long run... Stop trying to ruin these young girls experience just because u think u no something... Because u no nothing

clippedwings in Saint Charles, Missouri said: Chengy, it won't.

I'll give you a tip that our COO once said. (He made it a point to be at every newhire interview).

He knew "Within 30 seconds of you walking into the door to the open house if he was going to hire you our not." (qouote)

Here is the thing about airlines. (or any customer service related job). **ANYBODY** can be taught rules and regulations. What people can NOT be taught is personality and empathy. How you walk into the room, how you engage people when you talk. Do you run to the back of the room and sit and not talk to anyone, how do you look when the recruiters are talking.. If you can project that you are a genuinely nice person who is sincere about providing the best possible customer service than you have an upper hand in moving forward in the selection process.

These flight attendant school are an absolute JOKE. borderline scams. Everything to do with aviation, company policy, FAA/DOT regulations, security training, 1st aid training, evacuations/emergency training, how to serve a flippin drink.. all of that is trained by each individual airline, with the most current relevant information. These classes will not help you one bit, and they will NOT help you in landing a job, and in worst case scenarios.. it could hinder your ability to be hired because you then have to unlearn all the incorrect things you've been taught.

Are you kidding me???? We have recruiters in and out day by day it's says on job requirements that it likes training schools so where do u get ur knowledge from.???? The school just placed 14 students how do u explain that.? Everything I have learned will help me in the long run... Stop trying to ruin these young girls experience just because u think u no something... Because u no nothing

MCD in Laporte, Minnesota said: I was accepted and will be starting in September. Is the classroom work really out to date? How much did you learn? I want to be a flight attendant so badly but if all I have to do is just apply for the job then I would much rather do that then live in the Ghetto! Please help!! Tell me everything you know!

Email me alijahhinson@yahoo.com I'm currently a student don't b discouraged I can't believe what these people are telling u.... Yes it might not b for everyone but if u think it's for u and it's ur passion then it is.... The housing area is not in the ghetto if u think this is ghetto then u must have live in Beverly hills all your life.... Just email me I'll Skype u and call u I'll show u everything all these people r doing is talking I'll show u

I've been in and around the industry for over 10 years.

However, lets look at some facts here.

2009/2010 Retention, Placement, Median Loan Debt and Tuition Airline/Travel Specialist
5 month program
completion rate is about 80%
percentage of graduates employed in field. 57%
tuition seven thousand dollars? (seriously?) $7k
$75 application fee and median loan amount is $2k

I'd be curious to know what airlines were showing up to recruit?
$18/flight hour regionals probably? (ie.. revolving door airlines)

My point is, unless you have $ to throw around. (and frankly what people do with their own money is their own business), paying $7k to learn the ins-and-outs of flight attendant training for something (almost) every airline pays you to learn in 4-7 weeks (depending on the airline) is an incredibly bad deal. My first year at a regional airline. including non-tax perdiem $11k
my 2nd year.. $14k and ya know what. they paid me during training.

So again, if you are taking on debt to go to these schools, you are setting yourself up to be in a REALLY tight situation when it comes time to pay up. (im curious what the interest rate is on their financing as well)

My goal is not to "ruin" anything for people wanting to be in this industry. (btw.. there are more than just "girls" who fly for a living. However I will point out a bad deal when i see one. You're already a student Happy, well i honestly hope you luck out and land a job at one of the better airlines out there, you've already invested $. However just remember, there are a LOT of very.. very bad airlines out there with bad pay and even worse work rules. Unfortunately those bad ones tend to be the ones constantly hiring people who have rose colored glasses on who's "dream" is to become a flight attendant.

Well.! In this school u learn more then just how to b a flight attendant u can do almost any job in the travel industry.... 7,000 dollar debt is nothing that a car payment u could pay that off in no time working at McDonald's and no matter what school u go to ur going to have to pay this world isn't free or cheap it cost money to make money sometimes and the benefits are what really matter... My point is don't tell someone not to go just because u think they shouldn't or because u wouldnt let them live life say Wat u have to but let them no that airlines do like it....

Well.! In this school u learn more then just how to b a flight attendant u can do almost any job in the travel industry.... 7,000 dollar debt is nothing that a car payment u could pay that off in no time working at McDonald's and no matter what school u go to ur going to have to pay this world isn't free or cheap it cost money to make money sometimes and the benefits are what really matter... My point is don't tell someone not to go just because u think they shouldn't or because u wouldnt let them live life say Wat u have to but let them no that airlines do like it....

Well.! In this school u learn more then just how to b a flight attendant u can do almost any job in the travel industry.... 7,000 dollar debt is nothing that a car payment u could pay that off in no time working at McDonald's and no matter what school u go to ur going to have to pay this world isn't free or cheap it cost money to make money sometimes and the benefits are what really matter... My point is don't tell someone not to go just because u think they shouldn't or because u wouldnt let them live life say Wat u have to but let them no that airlines do like it....