Tsaord From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (3 years 5 months 17 hours ago) and read 1343 times:
I'm just curious about certain aspects of being a F/A. After becoming a F/A was adjusting to the job a hard one for you? All the time changes and being away from home and such? Also with the salary of the job did you find it a nice living? If their was one thing you could change about your job what would it be and why?
EWRCabincrew From Canada, joined May 2006, 5347 posts, RR: 59 Reply 1, posted (3 years 5 months 17 hours ago) and read 1325 times:
Quoting Tsaord (Thread starter): I'm just curious about certain aspects of being a F/A. After becoming a F/A was adjusting to the job a hard one for you? All the time changes and being away from home and such? Also with the salary of the job did you find it a nice living? If their was one thing you could change about your job what would it be and why?
It took me three months to get used to the "up-down" nature of the job. The six flights in one day between BOS and EWR are tiring. Flying international is a bigger adjustment.
The time changes (EWR-DEL is 9.5 hours change, EWR-NRT is 13 hours change), the long trips (CO has 3, 4, 5 and 6 day trips internationally - we had 10, 11 and as a reserve I had a 15 day trip) can wear you down. With the long trip let's just hope your crew gets along.
In the first two years (1987-1988) of being a FA, I made below the poverty level for a single man living in New Jersey. You can bet your ass I was down at economic security getting my food stamps in uniform. Proud to be a flight attendant, just as proud to get what was due to me in the form of food stamps. I lived with three others in a one-room efficientcy, others lived in "crash-pads" (these are hotel rooms that are charged monthly, usually by a hotel were many FAs/pilots "live" during their on-call status. There were as many as 25 people in a crash pad). Think crash pad: think dorm.
Some people live in the city of their base, others commute. When you commute you may have to stay in hotels before or after the start of your trip to position yourself in time. Your expense.
The salary I make now, I am very comfortable. You get paid on longevity here and with regards to your contract.
There is nothing I would change about my job. I love it. Tremendously. It's why I have been here since 1987.
The people you fly with are no longer co-workers, they are your friends and family. People I cannot wait to see. You may not see them for days, weeks or even months at a time, but when you do, you start right where you left off.
I hope this answers any questions you have. If you have more, give a shout.
AA B777-200 From Netherlands, joined Mar 2001, 444 posts, RR: 7 Reply 2, posted (3 years 5 months 16 hours ago) and read 1298 times:
It's all about discipline, listening to your body's needs and taking care of yourself. Even en-route... it's not all-party-time, because you know what your company (and your passengers and colleagues) expect once onboard.
You get more time off (which you need!), but you know that every now and then you'll miss a birthday, spend Christmas in Nigeria or have your New Year's countdown in some plane in a remote place.
As long as you're able to enoy it and have balance, then it's GREAT!
EWRCabincrew From Canada, joined May 2006, 5347 posts, RR: 59 Reply 4, posted (3 years 5 months 15 hours ago) and read 1232 times:
Quoting HnlBoi (Reply 3): CO has 10-11 day trips Internationally? Wow what is a 10-11 day trip like? Exapmle routes you may have flown etc, how much hours layover in a city?
Had.
We had trips like HNL-LAX (overnight), LAX-EWR (overnight), EWR-ORY (1 or 2 day overnight), ORY-EWR (overnight), EWR-LAX (overnight) and LAX-HNL (overnight).
Also HNL-SYD (overnight), SYD-AKL-PPT (2-3 day overnight), PPT-AKL-SYD (1 or 2 day overnight) and SYD-HNL.
Those were the days. In the winter months we have some 5-7 day trips to Europe, depending on the destination. Great if you like the long trips.
EWRCabincrew From Canada, joined May 2006, 5347 posts, RR: 59 Reply 6, posted (3 years 5 months 15 hours ago) and read 1209 times:
Quoting HnlBoi (Reply 5): Do you still fly for CO? What is your favorite route? and what number day trips do you enjoy working.
Still do and my favorite route is TLV, DEL a close second. Love the flights (ask anyone I fly with), the layover and the food. I prefer three day trips. I like to be home with my husband as much as I can.
Long layovers are good if he can come with me. Hotel is paid for and we just need to pay for incidentals.
Elcableguy77 From United States, joined Feb 2005, 489 posts, RR: 7 Reply 7, posted (3 years 5 months 14 hours ago) and read 1164 times:
This thread definitely has my attention, as I'm sure I'll be experiencing some of this once I start flying with ZW in the near future.
I'd be curious to see if any F/As from regionals chime in with how the adjustment was for them.
ZW F/A | "Wisconsin 72A, contact departure, see ya."
ANNOYEDFA From United States, joined Dec 2004, 451 posts, RR: 1 Reply 8, posted (3 years 5 months 13 hours ago) and read 1118 times:
I have to say that my first few months of flying were horrible. Reserve wasen't fun. I knew nothing other then what I was taught in training so the adjustment period was quite difficult. I love flying dearly but have very little tolerance for rude and ignorant people and it very much show's. I love having older, fun, and real genuine people. I still love going above and beyond for them.
I will never forget I had a older disabled passenger who by the end of the flight was like a friend to me. We got to IAH a little late and the agent's were taking their time getting down to assist her and she had a connection with a terminal change. Once she heard she might miss her flight she started to cry. I went and got a wheel chair and zipped her all the way to her next flight then ran back to my own. I will never forget her and I doubt she would forget me.
I haven't been able to fly in quite a while due to a on the job injury and I honestly can't wait till I am well enough to go back. Althought I have been making good of my time going back to school so I can fly part time and have full time better paying job. I think that will allow me to love flying just that much more.
Jetdeltamsy From United States, joined Nov 2000, 2964 posts, RR: 10 Reply 9, posted (3 years 5 months 6 hours ago) and read 992 times:
Quoting Tsaord (Thread starter): I'm just curious about certain aspects of being a F/A. After becoming a F/A was adjusting to the job a hard one for you? All the time changes and being away from home and such? Also with the salary of the job did you find it a nice living? If their was one thing you could change about your job what would it be and why?
I was 19 when I started flying. The job can be very grueling due to long work hours and short rest periods. Duty times have gotten longer and rest periods have gotten shorter as the years have gone by. I often wonder if I would have been able to do it had I started later in life.
You learn little tricks to deal with time warp....learning to stretch your days or when to take brief naps.
I used to earn a decent living. I started with Eastern, worked briefly for Pan AM and now for Delta. I earned more in 1996 than I do today. But overall I have had enough to live a solidly middle-class existence. I am very lucky that I was more financially prepared for the post 9/11 period that has seen many bankrupt airline employees.
The one thing I would change today if I could we be less time away from home. If I could work turns that got me back home every night, that would be a dream come true. Now I work mostly intercontinental routes because they pay more, but the trade off is missing a lot of important times at home.
I retire in a few months. I wouldn't trade the experiences I have had because of this job for anything or any amount of money. I've have a fantastic career.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
Christao17 From Thailand, joined Apr 2005, 734 posts, RR: 8 Reply 10, posted (3 years 5 months 2 hours ago) and read 938 times:
Quoting EWRCabincrew (Reply 1): There is nothing I would change about my job. I love it. Tremendously. It's why I have been here since 1987.
You know, that's really refreshing to hear. I think most of us come to A.net because of our passion for the industry, whether as employees, former employees, passengers, or a combination of these. Yet there seems to be a remarkable number of people who post here (it seems) in order to vent their anger.
While I respect their right to their opinions and perspectives, I have to commend you and all the others who instead focus on the positive. Especially as employees, you're the ones who really make the skies friendly.
LHR777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 11, posted (3 years 5 months 1 hour ago) and read 933 times:
Quoting EWRCabincrew (Reply 1): There is nothing I would change about my job. I love it. Tremendously. It's why I have been here since 1987.
The people you fly with are no longer co-workers, they are your friends and family. People I cannot wait to see. You may not see them for days, weeks or even months at a time, but when you do, you start right where you left off.
I totally agree with you. For me, it's a little different, as I haven't flown as crew due to a small medical problem, but still, I've worked in the airline industry on the ground since 1991 and it really does get 'in your bones'.
I am still in close touch with people that I trained with in Dallas, Texas back in July 1991. You tend to form bonds in this industry that really can last a lifetime. I can't explain why it's different, but it just is. Acquaintances come and go, but your special airline friends truly are friends for life. We see each other through thick and thin, good times and bad and we're always there for each other.
Of course, we have fun at work too, because lets face it, when you're in the middle of a double 18-hour duty period and you're being asked if there's "any chance of an upgrade mate?" for the 300th time that day, humour is sometimes all you can rely on to get you through!
EWRCabincrew, if ever you should find yourself on an extended layover in London, be sure to give me a shout!
Jetdeltamsy From United States, joined Nov 2000, 2964 posts, RR: 10 Reply 13, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 20 hours ago) and read 724 times:
Jetdeltamsy From United States, joined Nov 2000, 2964 posts, RR: 10 Reply 15, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 16 hours ago) and read 646 times:
Quoting ANNOYEDFA (Reply 14): JETDELTAMSY: If I may asky why are you retiring your quite young... Starting a new career?
Twenty-five years is enough. I'm convinced there will be no more value added to my pension should I keep working.
I plan to work as an interpreter. Good money. Regular days with weekends off. I'll still have travel benefits as a retiree. Less to worry about regarding the future. More time with the kids.
While I love what I do, I am ready to go.
Worked for too many airlines to list. Banktupcy after bankruptcy after bankruptcy.
KangarooMAN From Ireland, joined May 2006, 127 posts, RR: 4 Reply 16, posted (3 years 4 months 3 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 595 times:
Quoting LHR777 (Reply 11): I've worked in the airline industry on the ground since 1991 and it really does get 'in your bones'.
i have to say Amen to this statement LHR777 and you have become the first member of my respected users list
Quoting LHR777 (Reply 11): I am still in close touch with people that I trained with in Dallas, Texas back in July 1991. You tend to form bonds in this industry that really can last a lifetime. I can't explain why it's different, but it just is. Acquaintances come and go, but your special airline friends truly are friends for life. We see each other through thick and thin, good times and bad and we're always there for each other.
I have the same feelings about my current job (Aviation Security Officer) and my last job (Aircraft Cleaner) that the people that i have worked and work with in the commercial aviation business i hold a special bond with them. I know that from my the group i trained with for my current job we were put on different roster lines but when we see each other we instantly connect because as you said LHR777 there's a unexplainable bond to give a name to it a force that makes them people special
Quoting LHR777 (Reply 11): Of course, we have fun at work too, because lets face it, when you're in the middle of a double 18-hour duty period and you're being asked if there's "any chance of an upgrade mate?" for the 300th time that day, humour is sometimes all you can rely on to get you through!
and a definite yes to this it must be funny for pax to see us laugh at a drop of a hat at a turn of phrase that's alien to them and something that gets me is that that couldn't transfer onto some pax that are to say a little snooty and full of bad attitude but that humour is something that retards my annoyance level and LR level to zero and after getting too many of the aforementioned pax.
(by LR level i mean load rage level aviation security and TSA people should know what i mean by this)
and a few questions to the Thread Starter tsaord by your username i would guess you are a TSA agent in ORD basically the same as my job @ MAN what are your hours like? are you full time? and did you have to adjust to your job much? i know my roster sure would scare a lotta people off, my rostered average of hrs per week is 42 but i'm rostered to work and worked a few 48, 49 and 50 hour weeks. Are your rosters in ORD better or worse?
Roo
A/C Flown EI 146&320, MYT 763&333, WW 733&735, AZ 319&MD80, LS 146, FR 738, 2L F100, LX 320&321, A3 RJ100, FI 752 AB 738
I have a question, For the DL Flight Attendants that are say based out of LAX, MCO are these flight attendants primarly bid to fly only domestic routes as these hubs dont serve international destinations. Or can they still work international flights it just that they need to work flights to get that that particular hub such as CVG, ATL, JFK etc.
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