In honor of my airline, along with others, currently hiring flight attendants, I thought I’d let you all know first-hand the cold hard truths about why you shouldn’t be a flight attendant. This list all comes from personal experiences and things I wish people would’ve told me before becoming a fly girly pop.
You’re Not Kind
The first thing that comes to mind is kindness. If you aren’t a kind person, you should consider an industry that isn’t customer-facing. Flight attendants are often the last point of contact for people going through stressful situations at the airport, so we sometimes encounter the worst versions of people. Sometimes, all someone needs is a few kind words or even a smile. I’ve noticed one too many times, both while traveling leisurely and working, that some flight attendants lack kindness.
Your Expectations Are Too High
This job is purely seniority-based, which means you’ll get the least desirable trips when you start. You won’t be flying the most coveted routes, and you’ll likely miss important events and holidays. I remember not being able to get weekends off until I was two years into the job. I thought I would be flying the most glamorous trips right from the start, but then I ended up on a Boeing 717 aircraft. IYKYK.
You’re Doing It For The Money
I know it’s considered taboo to talk about money, but let’s be honest—no one does this job to become a millionaire. Flight attendants are severely underpaid, especially when they first start. Granted, you do receive a pay raise every year up until around the 12th or 13th year, but it’s still a struggle. I remember struggling during those first few years, trying to pay rent, bills, and still travel with the little money I had left. I didn’t feel financially comfortable until my fifth year. You could definitely work your butt off and work almost every single day to make some decent money, but you might also risk losing your patience and sanity. Which brings me to my next point:
You Enjoy A Normal Sleep Schedule
I don’t think anyone talks about how crucial your circadian rhythm is and how deeply it’s affected by constant travel. Especially when you’re sleeping in different time zones, working red-eye flights, or being woken up at 2 a.m. to report for a trip at 6 a.m. The red-eyes were the hardest for me to get used to. As a junior flight attendant, you’re prone to them, and caffeine will probably become your best friend. Even if you’re flying somewhere fun, like Hawaii, you might end up paying for that fun on the way back with a grueling red-eye flight. I still remember landing from Honolulu at LAX at 6 a.m., driving 1.5 hours home, and having to blast music and AC just to stay awake. It’s especially challenging if you’re not a napper and can’t manage to squeeze in a little shut-eye during your layover. But seriously, what are we, narcoleptic?
Here’s Why You Should Be A Flight Attendant
Let’s end this on a brighter note, shall we? If you’re an open-minded, kind, and genuine person, you should consider becoming a flight attendant. If you enjoy small talk and meeting new people on every trip (because you’ll fly with a new crew member almost every time) and are open to being a friend to someone in need (because jumpseat therapy is real), then this job is for you. If you know there’s more to life than just a 9-to-5 job and want something different for yourself, then this job is also perfect for you. If you enjoy trying new foods and learning about different cultures, this job is definitely for you! If you’re willing to put in the time and sacrifice a few missed events because you know this job gets better with time, then this is for you too! I can happily and proudly say that after 9 years as a flight attendant, I am satisfied with my work/life balance and love showing my family the world. The days may seem long, but they all become a blur when you’re standing in front of the Giza pyramids in Egypt or enjoying fresh pasta from a cheese wheel in Italy.
Bottom line is; do it for the right reasons and you really won’t feel like it’s work.
Stu
Stew Travels 