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.
After the plane lands and the guests have all gone home we usually clean the plane (but that's not typical for most international airlines), clear customs if we flew outside of Canada - even if we didn't step off the aircraft all day - and then pile into a shuttle waiting to drive us to our hotel for the night. At the airline I work for the layovers are between 10-48 hours in any one place.
It can feel like a mini vacation sometimes because we do have some pretty sweet destinations; Barbados, Hawaii, New York, Cancun... and you learn to cram a lot into just a few hours. If you get along with your crew it can be a blast to all grab dinner and drinks and explore the area. Other times you barely have time to shower and fall into bed before you're back on the plane, and you'll hardly notice which city you're in. For some FAs being on the road and holing up in a hotel with a king sized bed, a flat-screen tv and room service is the best way to take a break from being a mom or dad on their days off! It's one of the coolest things about our job if you ask me... and you did!
Share Answer: 
Well, the airlines won't thank me for saying so, but sure! It's a great experience to try and say that you've done it. But don't blame me if you say you'll stay for a year and end up staying ten. I see it All the time. It's just an addictive lifestyle!
Just be prepared that it can be quite a drawn out ordeal to get hired (sometimes 3 interviews and, in my case, a 7 month wait until a training slot became available) and the training is no joke. It's about a month long with a huge amount of information being thrown at you, and roughly 1/3 of that month will start with a pop quiz first thing in the morning. It might be hard to be motivated to get through training if you only plan to stay for a year and you're not that passionate about it. But like I said, you may end up liking it more than you expected, in which case it's a great investment of your time!
Share Answer: 
Of course! I've worked with plenty. The requirements vary a little bit from airline to airline but the basics are the same:
a high school education or equivalent
a valid passport
the ability to work and live in the country in which you're applying
a criminal background check of the previous 5 years for airport security clearance
a height or "reach" requirement
some customer service experience
This web page http://www.flightattendantcareer.com/faq.htm goes into a lot more detail, specifically about applying for jobs in the US, but you can also find out the requirements by checking out the Careers page on any airline's website. Just remember that you don't need a special course from a school or anything to become a flight attendant, the airline will give you all the training you need once you get hired. Happy hunting!
Share Answer: 
Congratulations on finishing your course!
The airline industry can be highly competitive and hard to crack, so if you're determined to become a flight attendant just keep applying to any airline you can. If you are willing to relocate, it will give you far more opportunities. Don't let being a foreigner stop you from applying - as long as you have a valid passport and no criminal record you are off to a good start! Once you have secured a job you can begin the process of getting a work visa. Some countries may be stricter than others, but I have co-workers who don't have Canadian passports and they still got hired! Visit the websites of any airline that interests you and check out their careers page, or check out http://www.flightattendantcareer.com for worldwide selection.
In the meantime, keep your ears open for job opportunities at the nearest airport. Becoming a customer service agent for an airline will give you an inside scoop about which airlines are hiring for the inflight department, and you'll get some experience in the industry to add to your resume.
I hope you find something!
Share Answer: 
Hairstylist and Makeup Artist
What types of clients are the worst to deal with?
Ice Sculptor
What was the raciest sculpture you ever made?
Antiques Dealer
If you buy an item that turns out to be stolen, do you have to turn it over to the police?
Yes and no. If it's free for the passengers, it's free for us too, so coffee, juice, pop, cookies, etc.
If it's not free for the passengers, we have to pay too - the only exception is if the flight is almost done and there are leftover items that will be thrown out anyway. Then we can rummage through and see if there's something we want, but honestly, serving the same snacks all the time renders them pretty unappetizing, to me at least.
Once in awhile I'll work a catered flight which includes meals and the caterer will set aside some for the crew. That's kind of fun, but it's like any classic "airplane food" tray - some stuff will be scrumptious and others will be unrecognizable.
Generally I just grab a crew water (1.5 litre bottles, you really gotta stay hydrated!) and only dip into the plane snacks and drinks in moments of desperation where I don't have time to sit down and open my much healthier, home-packed lunch bag!
Share Answer: 
Ooh boy is it ever hard! I've gotten better, learning to ask the right questions to someone who is upset; "what's the problem?", "is there anything I can do for you right here and now to solve it", "these are the options I can offer you, which works best for you?" etc., and usually people will come around.
But it's also important to know when someone is just being unreasonable. I try to listen, understand what they're saying, apologize, and then work on a solution, but if someone is being angry and just not accepting my help it comes to a point where I just tell them I have to get on with my job and care for a hundred other guests and if they aren't going to work with me they can call our Customer Care team on the ground.
I confess I have felt my blood start to boil more than once - it's impossible not to if someone is yelling in my face - and I've had to step back and ask another FA to take over before I say something unprofessional! If someone is pissed off and swearing though we can deny them boarding (the Captain will always support our decision) or, if it happens midflight, we will have local authorities meet the aircraft upon arrival.
We undergo training each year to learn how to deal with unruly and upset guests but unfortunately it's really something you have to experience firsthand multiple times before you become confident in how to respond. I still get wired up when it happens to me!
Share Answer: 
Well, if there was a rule that we all had to have a perfect track record before applying there would certainly be a shortage of flight attendants out there! You will need to submit to a medical before you can proceed to training, at which time you may need to disclose any medication you're taking. As long as you are diligent in taking that medication at the right times and in the right amounts, I don't see why that would prevent you from getting a job as a flight attendant, provided you have the skills they're looking for, like an empathetic demeanour, a flexible outlook, and a good work ethic to name a few.
I work with a number of people who have had to get help for various emotional or mental illnesses, so it's not unheard of. In fact, sometimes companies can be surprisingly accommodating and offer avenues for assistance, whether it means putting employees on modified duties until they feel recovered enough to return to their original work, providing insurance to cover prescriptions, or offering confidential counselling.
I can't give you any guarantees, but if you don't give it a shot you'll never know, right? There are claustrophobic FAs, bi-polar FAs, and those of us (like me) that are petrified of heights, but we find a way to work despite those things. So if it's something you really want to try you just have to go for it!
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
