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Ask your flight attendant

Evening Ladies and Gents,

I used to be a long time lurker here back when I was a student.

I preferred the old TSR graphics and layout!

I am Brit, now residing in North-America and flying for a large airline based here.

I started my career within the airline industry, while in law school. I had a job at my local airport as a customer service agent for the airline.

Upon graduating law school, I was provided with the opportunity to become a flight attendant with legacy terms and conditions.

Something which is no longer existent at the “world’s fav airline” based at Heathrow. Thus, I took the opportunity and do NOT regret it after 4 years in.

I am willing to answer any career questions for those whom are considering a career within the airline industry or for those whom are curious about the mysteries of a day in my life.

I am pretty knowledgeable about the industry as well as most airlines and their contracts. Therefore, if you require any advice, I am here to help.

PS: I also took some time off to attend pilot training. So, I could possibly answer some questions there. However, I have no interest in becoming a pilot as I love my current gig so much and being on the contract I am on.

777cabinslave
(edited 6 months ago)
Reply 1
Original post by 777cabinslave
Evening Ladies and Gents,
I used to be a long time lurker here back when I was a student.
I preferred the old TSR graphics and layout!
I am Brit, now residing in North-America and flying for a large airline based here.
I started my career within the airline industry, while in law school. I had a job at my local airport as a customer service agent for the airline.
Upon graduating law school, I was provided with the opportunity to become a flight attendant with legacy terms and conditions.
Something which is no longer existent at the “world’s fav airline” based at Heathrow. Thus, I took the opportunity and do NOT regret it after 4 years in.
I am willing to answer any career questions for those whom are considering a career within the airline industry or for those whom are curious about the mysteries of a day in my life.
I am pretty knowledgeable about the industry as well as most airlines and their contracts. Therefore, if you require any advice, I am here to help.
PS: I also took some time off to attend pilot training. So, I could possibly answer some questions there. However, I have no interest in becoming a pilot as I love my current gig so much and being on the contract I am on.
777cabinslave

is it tiring?
do u get to choose the destinations you fly to- and do the destinations change often? do you get to stay in your home country for break days, and how many days a week do u work?
(lots of questions lol i want to work for etihad when im older)
Reply 2
Original post by elareare
is it tiring?
do u get to choose the destinations you fly to- and do the destinations change often? do you get to stay in your home country for break days, and how many days a week do u work?
(lots of questions lol i want to work for etihad when im older)

Great questions!

1.

Is it tiring?

Flying and stewing can be tiring indeed. Personally, I really do not feel the impact of fatigue once I am close to a bed or stripped out of my uniform.

It can be fatiguing if you are not content being there, aren’t positive or are having a bad day or even crew.

I love what I do so much (although, for a while I did despise it) that I do not feel the effects of fatigue too much. I actually feel much energetic and upbeat when I am at work. if anything, I cannot travel as a passenger anymore as I find that fatiguing. I would prefer to be working a flight!

Also, on long-haul flights operated by wide-bodies, we actually have bunks and berths either in the ceiling or below the cabin to sleep during a flight. On a 6-7 hour flight from the eastern seaboard to London, I get up to two hours of nap time. I get paid to sleep! 😊

Every airline is different. However, for most North-American and European airlines (as well as the ME ones) we bid for our trips and days off.

Working for a North-American airline is different. The flexibility is wonderful and most things are based on seniority(longevity with the company)

At US and Canadian airlines, flight attendants can control how much or how little they wish to fly and what they fly when they bid.

We can drop trips to other flight attendants to pick up, without calling in sick or using vacation days. Last month, I only flew 3 trips. One London (3 day trip with 30 hour layover) one Miami turn (6 hour day which saw me back home by lunch) and a Rome. I had 18+ days off at home last month. I usually bid for only 2-3 trips on my schedule and I pick up as I go along the month. Flight attendants are always dropping here.

Some flight attendants like to bid the same old stuff. Some like to mix it up. I mostly do London. It also depends what my seniority can hold, trade into or what I can pick up.

Now, I know the middle eastern airlines work you hard and you’re on guaranteed 10 days off per month. Same with British Airways. However, you may get an average of 13-15 days off at home at these airlines.


777cabinslave
(edited 6 months ago)

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