Considering a Flight Attendant career... tell me all about it!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

Yes, I know the pay sucks. I'm in my mid 30s, I hate my current job and it would be a nice career change that complements my personality. I am applying for a language qualifed F/A position with Delta (I'm a native Italian speaker, so that is not an issue).

Anyone been or is a F/A? Anyone with Delta?

Talk me into/out of this... the interview is this Friday.

[ThomCat]

1. You would be a glorified waitress in a bad restaurant

with poor service and a needy, captive audience.

If not for the travel benefits I can't imagine why anyone would want that job.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. But my purpose is the safety of the passengers!

:sarcasm:

yes, I know, but the travel perks, especially to Italian destinations, and the ability to see my extended family are a tremendous draw.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Here's a suggestion

You may want to check out being flight crew in the Navy or Air Force. Both services fly C-9 or similar aircraft. Good Luck in your search

[InternalDialogue]

4. I think the job would rely entirely on your approach to it.

Is it going to be a job-job, or is it going to be a life experience and an experiment?

Option one (job-job) would probably suck.

Option two might be fun and rewarding.

A friend of mine who is a flight attendant wrote a book that glorifies the experiences that come from option two.

http://www.marycarwile.com/

[Haole Girl]

5. Hey

Sent you a PM.

[fudge stripe cookays]

6. I would say that you're entering an industry...

that's WAY too iffy right now.

Remember all those flight attendants that got thrown out of work after 911, when airlines were cutting right and left just to save their skins? They're fully trained in that career, and many of them are probably still not working in it.

If not a dying industry, it is hemmorhaging BADLY right now. Probably not the best career choice in these very uncertain times. I don't see it improving much...even if American finally made a profit. That stability is precarious at best.

[seaglass]

7. Good luck to you! I had 2 friends who worked for Delta but it

was many years ago, I know they liked the company but that's about all I know and I'm sure the company has changed a lot since then anyways.

I had a 20 year career in the travel business on the agency side. In the beginning the pay sucked but the benefits were wonderful in the end the pay was great but the benefits sucked (on the agency side the travel is not as good as it once was).

I personally wouldn't have wanted to be a flight attendant because I didn't like the flying part so much. Hopefully you like to fly?

I think it sounds like a great adventure and you should go for it.

[mcscajun]

8. As you are a native Italian speaker, why not Alitalia?

http://corporate.alitalia.com/en/careers/index.htm

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

10. Alitalia

only hires from within Italy and it has very strong height/weight ratios. I'm a bit on the chunky side and I would never meet those guideilnes.

[southernleftylady]

9. I'm a flight attendant...

and i LOVE my job :) its a life style though.. its hard for people around you to get used to it but I LOVE MY JOB..
sure it has its bad points... but what job doesn't?
i get "me" time
my hubby has to do things most hubby's don't so he appreciates me much more.. and my kids are always excited to see me
:)
i have major wander lust so i have always had the need to GET OUT.. and this gives me an excuse...
plus I'm home ALOT esp. during the week... so i get to do things with my boys...
and during layovers i do alot of crafts for their birthdays and school parties all the stay at home moms always wonder how i find the time :)
AND and its a big AND.. i never see my boss :) .. only when I'm in trouble lol and how often is that???
and i don't take this job with me when i go home.. once i step off the plane I'm DONE :)

i love my job..
but i don't know if i would go for it right now... ive been laid off once before... its not a good time to join up imo... but hey what do i know I'm just a flight attendant ;)

[trof]

11. 30+ years with TWA.

Southernleftylady's post is good, but I suspect she is fairly senior.
The time off can be good, once you been there long enough.

It's a very demanding job.
You will meet more assholes than you ever knew existed.
If you have a VERY thick skin, and an unflagging sense of humor, this may work for you.
If you plan to fly international, see how long it might be before you're senior enough to hold those trips.
EVERYTHING is according to seniority.
Pay, days off, where you get to go.
EVERYTHING.

The U.S. airline industry is STILL in deep doo doo.
Delta is currently in Ch. 11 bankruptcy.
They have filed a reorganization plan, so they may be coming out sometime this year.

I was an airline pilot for a long time.
I'm so glad I'm retired now.
Feel free to pm if you like.
Good luck.