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.
If the restaurant where you waitress is ok with it, I would recommend holding onto that gig! It's so easy to pick up a shift here and there, around your flying schedule. I sometimes think I should have kept my serving job as well, but when push comes to shove I'll always pick days off over money!
I answered a similar question in a bit more detail above:
"I just got hired as a FA and i have not yet started training. I have been reading a lot of blogs and it looks like other FA aren't able to pick up as much hours as they want. My question is : what types of side jobs can we do to make ends meet?"
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Well I hate to say this but... I have no idea what an IOD exam is! I asked some co-workers and they were as perplexed as I am. Give me a hint and I'll see if I can dig up any answers for you :)
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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!
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Well, getting away from the hotel and crew is one thing, but accepting an invite to dinner is something else entirely. It's not uncommon for crews to split up, particularly in places where there's lots to do so it's easy to make plans in advance (for example, Las Vegas - some FAs go for the shopping, others for the gambling, some for buffets and some for clubs. Getting the whole crew to agree on a game plan is nearly impossible there). So yes, definitely flight attendants welcome the chance to get out of the hotel, get some fresh air (after all, they've been on a metal tube all day!) and grab a bite to eat.
I think it's really nice of you to want to take someone out and show them the city, especially since having a local as your guide is the best way to explore a new place. I think whether or not they accept will depend on
a) your approach - if you're open to hanging out with the crew as a group that'll be 'safer', also don't pry into which hotel they're staying at. Let the FA divulge that information if and when they want to.
b) the personality of the FA - if they're single and ready to mingle they're more likely to say, "sure, why not?", and
c) the location. Some destinations airlines fly to are at a higher risk for crime so crews tend to stick together and not leave the hotel as often in those places.
If you want to go for it I give you my blessing! I myself have never (intentionally) met up with a passenger after a flight but I know others who have. I hope it works out for you!
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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!
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The flight attendant schedule works out to be about half the month off. In Canada it's a requirement to be scheduled at least 13 days off a month, but usually I'll get a few more than that. So really, we're home more often than not, and we get more days off than the average 9 to 5-er, but we may end up working all weekends one month which makes it feel like we don't see friends as often. Most FAs I work with who are parents agree that they spend more time with their kids now than they did at their previous job, whether it was an office job or other shift work. You just have to be prepared to have your days off in chunks, so you may not see your spouse or kids for a week, but then you could have 9 days off in a row! It's unpredictable, but I still prefer it to the alternative!
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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!
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