WeeklySA_AdminEXCITING: No two flights the same
By WSAM Reporter
Flight attendants are often viewed as being the waiters and waitresses of the flying world, but their job duties are much more comprehensive than handing out snacks and sodas. This career option requires you to perform safety functions on an aircraft, handle customer service issues on or off the ground, and communicate with the flight deck to ensure that every passenger can have a safe experience while traveling.
There are times when working as a flight attendant can be as glamorous as what it seems like on TV or in the movies. Then there are the moments which will make you wonder why you ever decided to pursue a career like this in the first place. As with any career option, there are some specific pros and cons of being a flight attendant that you will want to review before jumping into this job.
List of the Pros of Being a Flight Attendant
1. There are plenty of travel benefits available with this career option.
One of the most significant benefits that you will find available to flight attendants is the ability to travel. You can often fly for free or at a reduced rate whatever you want to take a weekend trip or an exciting vacation. This job is also one that will sometimes pay you to fly to a new city, providing you with a hotel upon your arrival, and even scheduling you for a long layover so that you have time to explore. Most airlines have contracts with each other that allow for all of the flight attendants to take advantage of this benefit, allowing you to fly for free all over the world. Some agreements even allow you to take your spouse, children, or other direct relatives like parents or grandparents.
2. There is a lot of flexibility built into your schedule.
When you look at the average job, most people work either 8-5 or 9-5 and receive there Saturday and Sunday off each week. Flight attendants have the opportunity to trade, drop, swap, PTO, and work a schedule of their choosing once they reach a high enough level of seniority. Some workers in this industry choose to combine their work trips so that they can travel on their days off, which means you could work full-time and then get 12 days off in a row to travel without taking any vacation time.
3. It gives you an opportunity to meet new people from around the world.
If you love to meet new people, then you are going to love being a flight attendant. This job requires you to manage the interior environment of the aircraft while providing an exceptional level of customer service. You will get to meet and interact with people from all over the world who are traveling for a variety of different reasons. These interactions can occur at the airport, at your hotel, and even on layovers when other attendants meet up to discuss their positions, schedules, and more.
You will discover that it is very easy to make friends when you start working in this industry you. From the pilot to the ramp crew to the gate attendants, you are all there to provide one aspect of service that makes the traveling process easier for each customer.
4. No two flights are ever the same when you work as a flight attendant.
Even if you get into a routine where are you are handling the same flights most weeks, you will discover that this industry never has the same thing happen twice. There is always something new going on that will make your work interesting. There are always incredible views of the sky to catch when you are in the air, and the only desk that you stare at is the preparation area where you manage the supplies. Although there could be some shifts where you are always on your feet and that may not be very comfortable, it is an issue that you will get used to over time as your resiliency builds up.
5. There are plenty of career benefits that you can access as a flight attendant.
Even if the salary is not lucrative when you start working as a flight attendant, most airlines will provide you with several career benefits that are worth considering. You will have access to paid life insurance of $50,000 or more with some American airlines, long-term disability insurance, and the opportunity to contribute to a retirement plan. Some flight attendants also receive discounts on hospitality services, including car rentals, hotels, and cruises. That’s why your career as a flight attendant is often viewed as a lifestyle choice more than an opportunity to earn some money. If you want to travel and see the world, this job can help you achieve that goal without costing you an arm and a leg to do it.
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