“Why don’t I just become a flight attendant?”
Good question. It depends on how you want to travel.
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The below article is an opinion piece based on the author’s lived experiences. It is not meant to represent the entirety of the aviation or live performance industries.
Many of us have wondered if we should just become a flight attendant (FA), especially wanderlusters and frequent travellers. But it’s not as simple as it seems. I know several FA’s, and from them I’ve learned details about the industry you never see in job descriptions.
The aviation industry is very lucrative, and becoming an FA is definitely one way to grab those insane flight discounts and complete the 30-by-30 challenge, where you visit 30 countries by the time you’re 30 (I’m not an advocate for this; I think there are better ways to mark your travel accomplishments). Generally all you need to become an FA is a high school diploma (undergraduate degree for some) and fluency in the country’s official language(s).
However.
The aviation industry is also heavily unionized, and there are very strict rules to adhere to in return for a living wage.
As someone who’s worked with the local union for stagehands and live performance technicians (IATSE), I am all too familiar with the conditions of working on a union call basis. Yes, the pay is awesome. No, you will not get any sleep.
The stagehand union must give you a minimum 24-hours notice before your next job; the FA union gives much less. You’re obligated to show up at the airport if you get a call just two hours before the flight, and even though you’re in uniform, you only get paid from the time the flight takes off to when it lands.
The hours are also insanely long for both industries. One week I worked 7 days straight in 8- to 16-hour shifts. FA’s have it worse, in my opinion. Stuck in an enclosed space in the air, they often have to work 20+ hours in one shift depending on pre-flight, flight time, and layover requirements.
Both unions are based on seniority. The longer you’ve been with them, the higher your seniority (exceptions include if you have a special skill, like lighting board operation with IATSE, which allows you to work higher-profile events). The higher your seniority, the earlier you get your pick of available shifts and locations. For FA’s, I’ve heard it starts to get really good after about 5 years. When you’re just starting, you’re “on reserve,” meaning on-call for any flights needing more crew members or who had someone drop out.
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The saving grace here is that FA’s at least get full training when they’re hired. For the stagehand union, you’re expected to know your craft very well already, especially if you’re sent to work on a high-profile event. Acceptance is via application or referral. The stress of not knowing where you’ll end up day by day can also get to you.
Often, FA’s don’t get to stay at their destination for more than a day or so. Eventually they all find their pacing to squeeze in those tourist landmarks (and if they’re coming back soon anyways, no worries about doing everything in one go), but if you want the freedom to take as much time as you want when travelling, think carefully before becoming a flight attendant.
(Ok, there is one thing that makes being an FA unbelievable, and it’s the cheap flight tickets!!! My friend flew from Vancouver to Toronto for $6 on a personal flight! Six!!! This is a ticket that costs $130+ one-way and $400+ round-trip on her carrier without a discount.)
Ever wondered why the turnover rate for FA’s is so high? Because it’s exhausting work.
Depending on the route, by the time an FA makes it to their destination’s hotel (that their carrier provides for them), they might just end up staying the whole day/night in to rest and recuperate before their return flight. Still, one benefit of this is that FA’s get to collect hotel points on their own membership profiles every time they check in. If they don’t want to stay at the hotel assigned to them, they can stay somewhere else out of their own pocket.
There are several ways to minimize the long-haul exhaustion if you’re interested in trying the job anyway:
apply to a smaller airline: these are usually budget airlines that cater locally or to surrounding countries only (less distance = less overtime)
apply to be part-time: some airlines offer the opportunity to be a part-time FA (you’re still at their beck and call, but at least you have more down time in-between)
relocate closer to the airport you’re hired at: trust me, the distance to your workplace is a game-changer
COMPRESSION SOCKS: buy a pair of medical compression socks (15-20mmhg is usually enough for everyday activities). I have a pair from Jobst that makes me feel like a new person everytime I get off a plane now.
Being a flight attendant is one of those jobs you don’t need extra schooling for. Once the airline hires you, they’ll provide all the safety training you need in a comprehensive 6- to 7-week program. This can include practical and written exams and swimming tests. Every FA must also undergo a medical check, including a drug and substance use test.
Despite the hurdles, being an FA is still one of the most convenient ways to travel cheap, travel far, and get paid to travel! (And, honestly, who hasn’t envied a pilot or FA in uniform walking through the airport all cool-like?) If this is what your heart desires, then go for it. This article is just to prepare you for the possible situations you’ll meet in this industry.
To summarize, here are the pros and cons of travelling as a flight attendant vs. regular paying customer:
Flight Attendant Pros
perks, discounts, benefits
my FA friend, for example, gets 10 annual discount passes for personal flights plus Friends & Family benefits
collect points for all your hotel memberships whenever you check in
other healthcare and benefits as stipulated in the job description
higher-than-average living wage
at the time of writing, Air Canada pays their entry-level FA’s $28+/hr, compared to the national minimum wage of $15+/hr (your pay will increase after one year of employment)
reimbursement for travel expenses to get to the airport for work: Uber, taxis, etc.
FA’s get a special Visa to temporarily enter other countries for work
see the world FAST!
Flight Attendant Cons
no work-life balance, especially in the first few years
you might be waking up or returning home at 4 AM, 1 AM, 2 PM, who knows?
many FA’s keep a suitcase of prepared luggage in their car in case they get a call when they’re out and about
you’ll likely need a flexible side gig to supplement your initial income
you’re always on-call, and the shifts you end up getting are usually the ones the senior FA’s didn’t want
sometimes you’ll get called in only to find out the flight was cancelled (no, you don’t get paid)
job security: when the industry’s booming, it’s booming; when it’s not… well, we all saw what COVID did to the travel industry
if you transfer to a different airline, you’ll have to start at the bottom of the seniority ladder again!
can’t stay at your destination for more than a day or two
deal with disgusting customers… and from the stories I’ve heard, some of them can be really outstanding… like, pooping-on-the-seat outstanding
many FA’s wear a fake wedding ring because of the amount of sexual harassment they encounter on planes
planes are confirmed some of the dirtiest environments to be in
won’t experience staying at unique hostels or accommodations unless you pay out of pocket and have the time
Regular Traveller Pros
full control to plan your own itinerary, trips, and schedule
don’t have to put on the customer service smile (but please be polite to FA’s! they have it tough)
searching for great deals using Skyscanner or Google Flights (call me a nerd, but I consider this a pro because it’s so FUN to find those extra-awesome deals!)
accommodation exploring: who knew so many cool hostels existed?!
get to time your trip with local festivals and events
TAKE YOUR TIME with whatever you want to experience
Regular Traveller Cons
sky-high plane ticket prices… the biggest deterrent to travelling
I recommend applying for a travel-friendly points credit card, like the Amex Cobalt; once you have enough, you can use or transfer the points to buy tickets
accommodation prices: as fun as it is to search for them, even one night can be super expensive unless you’re staying at a hostel or other low-budget option
travel insurance: another thing you’ll have to pay for out of pocket
Visas, entry requirements, etc.
if you want to make travelling a constant part of your life, you’ll need either a really flexible job or a really understanding manager
And there you have it! The answer to, “Why don’t I just become a flight attendant?” It’s more nuanced than you think, and any career changes to become an FA should be thought out carefully. Nevertheless, it’s an exciting job and an exciting time to be one. You never know when the travel industry might be put on pause again, so if you want to cross those countries off your bucket list, maybe do it sooner than later.
A thought… If you want to take this further and have the time and finances to do so, why not become a pilot? Yes, you’ll have to pay $100,000+ for training, then clock in hours upon hours of flight time before even becoming certified to fly small planes, but if you’re truly committed, pilots get paid handsomely for their work once they’re official. A lot of the same pros and cons apply to pilots, but considering the world shortage of pilots right now, it may be your best chance at getting your foot in the door.
Another thought… Want to work in aviation but not interested in being cabin crew? Airlines will always need trusty aircraft mechanics who KNOW THEIR CRAFT, who are paid handsomely as well. Another job you don’t need post-secondary education for is Air Traffic Controller. There are specialized training institutions dedicated to this field you can apply for, and the pay is usually adequate as well.
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