Considering career as F/A

[jennylynn]

Hi, I'm new to this site and I was hoping I could get some feedback from some experienced F/A's. I'm considering pursuing an F/A position, and was looking for some advice. I live in Detroit and I have no personal experience with working for an airline.

Where is a good place to start my research? Are F/A's typically trained by the airlines, or do I need to be trained elsewhere? In today's airline industry and economic climate, is the pursuit of this position practical in terms of airline needs? How are F/A's compensated? I know everyone wants to be paid more, but in relative terms is it considered a good living with good benefits, and is there a long-term future?

Thank You!

 

[QueenLatifly]

hi jenny-lynn. ok well first of all do you have any kind of experience working with the public? like a waitress, receptionist, or customer service person, anything like that? if so this will help alot. make sure your a high school grad, do NOT have a police record, and have passable credit. a friendly personality ,you know congenial , nice, is also good.

if you do have all the above, then start submitting your resumes now...the pay isnt something you will get rich on. if your thinking you will be making the big bucks being a FA, hahahaaa forget it....its a career that you will have to really want, enjoy doing, and have a love of flying as well...
you must be willing to endure long hours, spending the night in sometimes not so great hotels, and being far away from home alot.

but the good side is the wonderful places you will be able to go to and see, the comraderie among your fellow crew members...all of the airlines have websites and usually you can submit resumes from there....they are loaded with information, so make use of them....ok...hope this helps....if i have forgotten anything, maybe somebody else will post it for ya....take care and good luck to you.....

 

[shon7]

Try the newer airlines. Jet Blue, Virgin America and the likes. That's the way to go. Gonna be tough out of DTW. Will have to relocate or commute.

 

[Flying Mom Of 3]

make sure your health is in order. and start a work out regimen , so that you will have stamina for your training.

 

[Lah dee dah]

save up some money. when you are gone off to training you have to pay all of your own expenses.

 

[Maria Conchita]

good grooming! if your teeth are a mess have them fixed. if your hair is stringy and a mess, see a hair dresser and have it fixed, loose some weight if you are carrying around some extra pounds, go see a make-up artist and learn how to apply make-up in a professional manner.
good grooming can mean the difference between getting hired and not.

 

[Slim]

jennylynn,

All the posts above are correct. I'll add this...be prepared to do something on your days off which is completely unrelated to your airline job and earns income.

I was a F/A and am now a captain at a different airline. I'm also retired from the Army National Guard. I served most of my time in the National Guard while a F/A. It was a good break once a month and for two weeks sometime during the year. The company can't deny military leave and can't penalize you for it. My National Guard duties had nothing to do aviation.

I'm not trying to recruit you for military duty though it is a possibility for you. The happiest F/As I knew were ones who had something else going for them outside the airline. I know two F/As at my current airline who are realtors. One from my former airline is an accountant. Others worked in catering, construction or were substitute teachers.

Good luck!

 

[SYX328]

Don't go off other people's info. If you want to do research info about becoming a F/A, go to www.flightattendants.org . There is really some great info about the career and the path to the sky.


Sean

 

[Wanda Nevada]

do go on other people's info. its hearing it from the horse's mouth. people who are fa's and have the experience on being one. alot of the people on flight attendants .org are rookies, wannabe's and dont have alot of experience . the info provided above by the fa's is A-1.

 

[Flying Mom Of 3]

do go on other people's info. its hearing it from the horse's mouth. people who are fa's and have the experience on being one. alot of the people on flight attendants .org are rookies, wannabe's and dont have alot of experience . the info provided above by the fa's is A-1.

i agree. the best advice you can get is directly from fa's who have made flying a full time career. all the advice from seasoned fa's on here is the best.
take it to heart and act on it. ya wont be sorry.