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Galley Gossip: A question about Southwest Airlines, AirTran Airways, and other airlines who may be hiring flight attendants
Dear Heather,
I was hired with Southwest Airlines earlier in the year, but I was informed today that Southwest will no longer be having any training classes in 2009. Now I'm going to try for AirTran Airways. I had an interview and told them I successfully interviewed with Southwest Airlines last August however they aren't having any training in 2009 and I'm ready to move forward with my flight attendant career. I hope it doesn't hurt me that I told them that. What do you think?
Leesa
Dear Leesa
Southwest is an amazing airline. People absolutely love them, passengers and crew alike. I mean what's not to love about an airline that treats their employees like family, an airline that knows how to have fun, and more importantly, an airline that can lay claim to employing the rapping flight attendant (whom I'll be interviewing soon!) Many years ago I wanted to work for Southwest Airlines, and always thought that I would work for Southwest, and even got a letter inviting me to interview for them, but then the airline I currently work for hired me first. Obviously I'm a huge fan of Southwest, even when I wind up in group C. The fact that you got hired to be apart of their family says a lot about you!
I'm sure you're extremely disappointed about the training class being cancelled. I know I would be. So I logged onto twitter.com (click here to follow me on twitter) and sent a quick tweet to Southwest Airlines. I asked them if you'd be called back when classes resume or if you'd have to go through the interview process again. Five seconds later Southwest responded, "Yes, unfortunately she will have to go back through the interview process again."
Honestly, I'm sure you'll have no problem impressing them twice. That said, I also think that moving forward and interviewing with AirTran Airways was a great idea! Don't worry about telling AirTran about Southwest, I'm sure that'll only make them want you more knowing that an airline with an amazing reputation already showed interest in you.
Gallery: GALLEY GOSSIP: Prepare for takeoff
Before I started working for a major US carrier, I worked for a discount airline called Sunjet International Airlines for about three months. It was a lot of fun and gave me a taste of what flying was all about. The great thing about working for a smaller airline is you'll be able to really get to know your coworkers, which in the long run will make all the difference in the world. Because at an airline, regard
less of the kind of trips you get stuck working, if the crew is good the trip will be good. And you'll be more than just an employee number. Who knows, by the time Southwest calls you back to flight attendant training you may not even want to leave AirTran. Stranger things have happened!
Speaking of strange things happening, did you know that there's been talk in the past about AirTran and Southwest merging? For real! Can you imagine? But then if you were already a flight attendant you'd know not to listen to airline rumors.
I'm glad you haven't given up on your dream of becoming a flight attendant, even in this tough economy. I do recommend the job to anyone who is interested and can actually land an interview. It is a wonderful job to have when times are good, but right now unfortunately many airlines are furloughing flight attendants in order to survive.
If you get another interview with AirTran, Leesa, make sure to check out this AirTran Interview Forum for the latest information of what to expect at your interview. If something happens and for whatever reason you don't end up working for AirTran, make sure to check out flight attendant career.com There you'll find a list of other airlines who may be hiring.
Good luck and keep in touch!
Heather Poole
Photos courtesy of (Southwest) Allysdad, (flight attendants) AirTran Airways website
Filed under: United States, Airlines, Galley Gossip
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DJ May 6th 2009 9:37AM
Move to the Middle East. I hear Emerites, Gulf, Etihad and Qatar airlines are hiring. Great uniforms, paid accomodations on the beach, the flight attendants are from around the world (mostly the UK and Ireland), tax free pay, flying to exotic countries... if you really want to fly, why not give it a try!
masanddjs May 6th 2009 9:37AM
I like the old Gadling format better
Bob May 6th 2009 12:29PM
You forgot a poll option..
* I'd love to but I'm TOO TALL. ;-)
6'3" in shoes makes me too tall for AirTran.
Bob May 6th 2009 12:37PM
Oh, since it's too late to comment on the other article about Southwest..
AirTran had a rather profitable quarter and is hiring. Southwest lost millions. The trend could continue as well. So, you never know! Both are decent airlines. I prefer AirTran over Southwest personally. Your mileage may vary. :-D
frank96 May 6th 2009 7:27PM
Speaking of interviews, you'd be surprised how poorly people do at all interview phases. The group, one on one(additional one with language speaker), and the final with a manager.
I think I was the only one hired in my group interview. That brief moment to go up and tell alittle about yourself proved ackward for several people. They werent prepared. Years ago, I read a wonderful interview book, I cant find it anymore, but it's good advice to check out some books out there (here's one): http://www.amazon.com/Welcome-Aboard-Attendant-Professional-Aviation/dp/1560275081/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_b
Educate yourself on the process. It helps alot. I knew every interview question out there at the time I interviewed. I wasnt surprised and my answers were thorough and at times unique.
Traytable May 7th 2009 9:10AM
Emirates and Etihad aren't actually hiring, they've removed all interviews from Emirates website, and only a few left in eastern europe for Etihad. Emirates have cancelled several training schools and are not taking expressions of interest at this time, but keep checking their web site for updates.
frank96 May 7th 2009 9:09AM
Dear Heather,
I was hired with Southwest Airlines earlier in the year, but I was informed today that Southwest will no longer be having any training classes in 2009. Now I'm going to try for AirTran Airways. I had an interview and told them I successfully interviewed with Southwest Airlines last August however they aren't having any training in 2009 and I'm ready to move forward with my flight attendant career. I hope it doesn't hurt me that I told them that. What do you think?
Leesa
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I would NOT have mentioned Southwest in the interview process. It makes Airtran look like your second/alternative choice. Airtran invests in YOU, they want you to feel the same.
flygirl May 8th 2009 8:53AM
It almost sounds like you think Air Tran is not a major airline... we are the second largest flying out of ATL, We may not be as big as others but that says a lot. We also fly to destinations that other airlines may not fly to. We like Southwest have a fun atmosphere, but we keep it provisional and don't wear kaki shorts and tennis shoes to work. I don’t mean to sound like I dislike southwest… however I feel that airlines should still maintain a professional demeanor. And yes, this is coming from a FA.
Erika May 8th 2009 3:40PM
A zillion years ago I was a nervous about my first and second interview with SWA. I decide that I wanted the job so much that I stopped SWA Superstews in the airport in HOU to ask their advice. As sweet as pie they told me to smile and be myself. I did and I was hired. That was like I said a long time ago but I think that it still works today. Try to talk to other F/A's at the the company. Don't tell thm about SWA. BTW I wear crisp white shirt, scarf, slacks, blazer and and black loafers to work on SWA's love jet but we all maintain a professional demeanor in shorts or out :-).
Marty Ruffin Gardner May 8th 2009 9:23PM
Loving Wings are the adventures of airline flight attendants when they first started. It is published by www.eloquentbooks.com/LovingWings.html. It starts with "Adding a woman to the crew is about as sensible as removing one of the wings" Pilots declared. It's very enjoyable reading.
Scott May 21st 2009 7:18PM
Flygirl, uniforms are no longer relevant on airlines that have only one class of service. You all say that you are just there for our safety anyway so I really don't care what you wear. Obviously in a business or first class atmosphere you are then talking about service. Uniforms then become part of the "service". Being professional does not depend on the length of your pants.