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Galley Gossip: Lawyer wants to become a flight attendant
Dear Heather,
I am an attorney, but I stopped working to go back to school for a tax-law post graduate degree and learned so much in school about flight attendants - weird right? Well it's not really that weird because my professor used to work as a tax lawyer for an airline, so income tax and flight attendant benefits were a big topic! It really got me thinking... wait a minute... this could be an AWESOME way to see the world and have fun being in customer service. I'm a pretty personable person and love meeting people and helping them out. Does it take a certain type of person to be a flight attendant? I just really want to have some fun and adventure. I know there is a lot more to the job than that, but is there ENOUGH fun and adventure to make the not -so -glamorous parts of the job worth it?
Claire
Dear Claire,
Believe it or not, you're not the only attorney interested in becoming a flight attendant. One of my colleagues who works part time for the airline owns his own law firm in Boston. There's a reason he still flies when he really doesn't have to. That's because the job is still filled with enough fun and adventure to make the not-so-glamorous parts of the job worth it! But it's up to each flight attendant to make the most of the job, to focus on the positive and take advantage of the flexibility and flying benefits. You'd be surprised to learn how many flight attendants don't do that. Otherwise it becomes just like any other job. And remember no one ever becomes a flight attendant for the money, but you probably already learned that in tax-law class.
Most of the letters I receive from those interested in becoming a flight attendant are from people who are trying to decide between attending college or a flight attendant training school. I always advise them to go to college first and to avoid the training schools altogether. No need to waste money when airlines train you once you're hired.
These days the airline industry is not stable. Most airlines are either cutting back or going under, which is why it's so important to have an education or something to fall back on in case the job doesn't work out. It's only because you, Claire, already have an education, as well as a rather impressive career, that I say go for it! Why not? If it's not the job you've always dreamt about you can always quit and go back to being a lawyer. Or better yet, do both!
The biggest problem you may have is actually finding an airline that is hiring. Check out flightattendantcareer.com for a list of airlines now accepting applications. Corporate flying is another alternative. I'll write more about that in an upcoming Galley Gossip post. Until then, good luck!
And keep me posted!
Heather Poole
| Go for it! | |
|---|---|
| Is she crazy? |
Have a flight attendant question? Send an email to Skydoll123@yahoo.com
Photos courtesy of Dmytrok and Morberg
Filed under: Airlines, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chaa Jan 5th 2010 10:25AM
interesting!
LRH Jan 5th 2010 12:34PM
I couldn't agree with your assessment more, Heather. I am a licensed attorney who lost perspective about my flight attendant gig. Fortunately, I didn't quit even when family and friends begged me to practice law full time.
After practicing law for 5 years, I discovered I did not have the passion to be an attorney for the rest of my life. But I still had a law degree and a student loan. Once I realized I preferred flying, I had to come up with a compromise. I started flying full time while only taking adoption cases. You can't make a lot of money with an adoption practice but it is fulfilling and does not require a lot of time.
I would advise Claire to go for it when airlines start hiring. Like you said Heather, the positives outweigh the negatives. I'm so grateful I listened to my intuition and didn't quit my flight attendant gig. Leslie Hills
Andy Geoghegan Jan 5th 2010 1:00PM
I was a Lawyer in the UK for 5 years before I quit. It's far more important to do something you love. You work for 40+ hours a week for up to 50 years of your life, why do something you hate?
Carla Jan 6th 2010 10:59PM
I have my first FA interview this morning and am super excited. I think it's going to finally be a job I love doing- if I get it!
Mary Jo Jan 8th 2010 10:30PM
As one of those people who is both a Flight Attendant and an attorney, I can attest that Claire is not crazy. What is crazy is staying on a career path where you're miserable.
I knew that I would never make the same kind of money that I did practicing law, but living a happier life and feeling more fulfilled is something that you can't put a price tag on. Now that I've been at it for 22+ years, it's hard to remember that former lifestyle.
Life is what you make it, and if you don't love being an attorney, don't close off your other options.