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Air Force One flight attendants: A few good men (and women)
When I think of Air Force One flight attendants, I tend to drift towards images from the movie "Air Force One" where Harrison Ford plays the U.S. President. Things did not bode too well for that crew.
In real life, Air Force One attendants don't find themselves in a battle of wills with terrorists, but juggling a myriad of duties designed to make airplane trips comfortable and welcoming for the important government officials who use the plane to wing around the globe on official government business. Sometimes, this might be the President; sometimes, it's not. You might be serving up a breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks to Vice President Dick Cheney or Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, or whoever else is important enough to get a ride.
If you're a bit Martha Stewartish, it helps. One attendant's highlight was making sugar cookies shaped like Texas. It's not that easy. Frankly, I'd try New Mexico or Colorado. Those are more rectangular. These Texas shaped treats were offered to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Bush Senior who loved them. I should hope so. The woman who made them screwed up the first batch and made them again at home.
Besides cookie baking, you need to plan meals, shop for the groceries, cook the meals, serve the meals, clean up after the meals, and somewhere in the midst of this, load and unload suitcases. Before you head off the plane at the end of a shift, carpet sweeping is another must-do. Just thinking about that makes me tired. I'd be awful.
So what are the perks? Traveling around the world for one thing. The pay isn't bad either. $40,000 is the starting salary. This is more than people start out making on commercial flights. The work load sounds a bit easier than what Skybus crews have to do. At least you're not walking up and down the aisles trying to sell stuff. "Mr. President, can I interest you in a cinnamon bun? How about a Clif bar? A fresh mint?"
If being an attendant is something you'd be interested in, there's a possibility that the 89th Airlift Wing, (under which Air Force one is part of) is hiring. You might not work on Air Force One, though. There are 16 other luxury planes that also fly dignitaries from here to there. Finding people who fit the profile of what the wing wants is not easy. Keeping your mouth shut about where you're going and what happens on board is one requirement. One hitch, I think, is that you have to be enlisted in the Air Force. That's what my understanding is after reading the article. Regardless of whether one wants to do a job like this one, this is a look at one of those professions people often don't know exist.
Gallery: Inside Air Force One
Filed under: Food and Drink, Stories, United States, Airlines, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jake Holder Feb 12th 2008 7:29PM
Hey, i am 14 and i am really interested in becomming the pilot of the Air Force One when i grow older so save me a seat. I'm really not kidding either I really would like to serve for the presdent by being the pilot.
Doris Houchins Nov 19th 2008 12:49PM
I'm currently a flight attendant for Delta airlines and would love to join the Air Force One. How do I apply
akutta chidi vincent Nov 26th 2008 6:39PM
i like your world class institution, andwouldlike to apply for a member
Paula Stokes Jan 5th 2009 2:44PM
Great article. I'm a Flight Attendant for a major U.S. carrier for 12yrs. I would like to apply for a Flight Attendant position for Air Force One. Who do I need to contact?
Marie A Wcks Jan 15th 2009 2:03PM
I've been a flight attendant for 10 years with charters and am currently working with a DoD charter, going into my fourth year. I have also certified as a corporate flight attendant in August 2008 with CAE Simuflite in Dallas/Forth Worth, hence I'm dual certified. I would very much like to apply for the flight attendant position with Air Force One or any of the other private/corp jets. How do I apply? I'm also a middle aged. What is the maximum for applying?
Johnny Feb 25th 2009 12:02PM
I am currently an Air Force Flight Attendant who has had the honor of serving the 89th AW customers for 6yrs. I recently relocated from Washington DC to Honolulu Hawaii, where I am still and will always be an AF Flight Attendant. Becoming an AF FA is not something you can just apply for. You must first be in the Air Force and cross train into the career field. Im currently qualified in the Gulfstream and Boeing Business Jet both which have the same markings as AF1, a trademark for AF Special Air Mission aircraft.
allyson Mar 20th 2009 9:21PM
Johnny, my husband is considering cross training into the FA career field. Any advice, tips, 'day in the life of a AF FA', etc would be greatly appreciated.
Alan Jan 16th 2008 7:39AM
Now that I have read this article, where can I apply for a position as a flight attendant with Airforce One or the other aircrafts.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Aloha from Hawaii
Mr. Alan Lee AhYo