Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Galley Gossip: How do flight attendants survive on such a small salary?
I've been offered a position as a flight attendant. Training hasn't started yet, but I'm freaking out a little. Should I back out? It seems like a fun and exciting job, but the pay is $20/hour with only a 79-hour guarantee of work per month. The first year I would have to be on reserve and would need to live within 20 minutes of the airport. A one bedroom/studio within 30 minutes of the airport averages $1400-$1800 per month! We were told that during our six weeks of training we will be paid $1400, which will be prorated. Huh? How do flight attendants afford to pay for rent and living expenses? I am trying to calculate it and there is no way to make ends meet...even with a roommate! What do you suggest to those of us who have not started? Should we turn around and run for the hills? - Cold Feet
Dear Cold Feet,
I've said it before and I'll say it again, no one becomes a flight attendant for the money! This is why the majority of new flight attendants are either right out of college or looking to make a career change after the kids are grown and out of the house. While $20 an hour may look good on paper, the reality is it doesn't add up to much, not when we're only paid for flight hours. That's strictly time spent in the air. And with so many FAA regulations limiting us to the number of hours and days in a row we can work, most of us average between 80-90 hours a month. Keep in mind flight time does not include boarding, deplaning, delays, scheduled sit time between flights and layovers away from home, even though we're on company time. However we are paid a per diem from sign-in to the time we arrive back to base. It's less than two-dollars an hour.
You've been offered $20 an hour with a 79 hour guarantee. That's roughly $18,000 a year. It's more than most first year flight attendants get paid. The average flight attendant makes between $14,000-$18,000 the first year on the job. Each year we're offered a standard raise. Flight attendants who work international routes, speak a second language, work high time (over 100 hours) and have seniority with a major carrier have the potential to earn up to $80,000 a year, if not more, but this is rare. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Median annual wages of flight attendants were $35,930 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $28,420 and $49,910. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,580, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $65,350."
A crash pad is where flight attendants literally crash between trips. My first crash pad was a house with five bedrooms that may have had 60 flight attendants living in it for all I know. There were so many people coming and going it was impossible to keep up. Six of us shared a room that had bunk beds lining the walls. Most crash pad dwellers are commuters. Because we were on probation and travel benefits at my airline wouldn't kick in for six months, we were all new-hires living full time in a crash pad meant for commuters. It wasn't pretty. It's no wonder we were all so eager to work - er, fly away! Because at the end of a long work day there was always a layover hotel with a room that had a bed with no one else sleeping near it. And a tub that was clean that didn't require one to sign up to use it. This might explain how I managed to actually save $2,000 my first year on the job, even after the airline deducted $800 to cover the cost of the uniform from my paycheck.
There's a reason why so many flight attendants quit within the first few months of flying - and why the rest of us last a lifetime! It's that extreme. Being a flight attendant is not just a job, it's a lifestyle. My advice to you, Cold Feet, is to go for it. You can always quit if you don't like it. Just remember it won't be easy in the beginning, but stick with it and make sure to give it at least six months before throwing in the towel. When your travel benefits kick in, you'll be glad you did. You might also want to consider praying your airline continues hiring flight attendants because a life off reserve makes a world of difference.
Photo courtesy of byronv2
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 9 of 9)
john Nov 30th 2011 2:42AM
You desperately need to organize and form a union. Shared expriences from your fellow workers should help make it easier to do. You deserve better!
The key for success requires unity and shared vision towards the goal. If people can't accomplish shared vision, attempts to form the union will fail. Stick together and good luck.
Mariah Nov 30th 2011 7:26PM
I was a flight attendant in the "good old days" (started in 1968). My base salary was $350 and four of us lived near the airport in a one bedroom apartment. I agree with the folks who say you don't fly for the money. I flew both domestic and international. I saw cities in the U.S. I would NEVER have seen (nor paid to see) in the states and many major cities in Europe. My one regret is that I didn't think I made enough money to afford to go to Africa or Asia (my bad). I am thankful I had the chance to fly. $350 back then was as low as $18,000 is now. I encourage those would like to see the world, like to see other cultures, like to meet people that might be different from the neighbor to go for it. The job isn't and never really was "glamorous" but cultural exposure is worth more than can be measured.
gposner Nov 30th 2011 5:26AM
Flight attendants...STEWARDESSES (far more appropriate), live on planes. They never go home. They simply go from plane to plane, saving a fortune on rent.
The lure is becoming a member of the mile high club with all first class passengers (all who work for the government fly first class). Stewardesses used to be young, attractive females. Don't ask what they've turned into today.
John Nov 30th 2011 7:50AM
What a bunch of bullshit. This woman is probably ugly and delusional and did a terrible job.
Nancy Nov 30th 2011 10:55AM
Seriously, can someone at Gadling turn off this Julia who keeps posting Spam? She's getting pretty annoying, particularly since she chose my posting on which to "reply" with all of her crap.
Gadling, please, don't make me block you in my e-mail.
Deb Nov 30th 2011 11:55AM
@Chris: What makes you think I didn't go to college? I graduated from The University of South Florida, and worked in the computer industry and the Health Insurance field for years before I became a Flight Attendant. Also, I do not recall stating that I wanted to be rich, I said I would like to be fairly compensated for the job I do. Most of the people I fly with all have college degrees, many have gone on and gotten their Masters and their PHD's. You should probably not make assumptions about people and/or professions in order to insult them, instead educate yourself before making random comments.
I do not know anything about JetBlue's Flight Attendants, but if they look beat up, I feel sorry for them.
Sergei Dec 1st 2011 8:33AM
Oh yes I am gay and very comfortable with it - as are anybody I work with. I have found the stereotypical notion that all male FAs are gay is long since past. I have worked with some fantastic and very professional str8 and married FAs. The Pradas are about the only vice I have - since I don't drink or partake of any recreational drugs. Most of the individuals I have the privelge of working with have done their time and paid their dues - both as Reserve FAs and Junior FAs. I have always told people who have shown an interest in being a FA that the good old days of flying are long since gone; HOWEVER, I also tell them not to judge the profession by what I tell or say, since I have alot of tenure. It is something they have to decide for themselves as to their commitment and if htey really want to live out of a suitcase for several years and be at somebody's beck and call, but then not knowing if you will be going to Cedar Rapids one day and Bangkok the next week is on e of the perks. In fact I know of a few tenured FAs who have gone Reserve for that very reason and love it. No the job isn't for everyone again but it is worth it and great once seniority is gained.
DJ Dec 4th 2011 6:17PM
They can pay so poorly because there are girls lined up for the job. They think it's glamorous until they get there! Then they find out it's not much different than any other job. After a while, it becomes routine just like most jobs out there. Hotels get old after a while. Now, foreign flight attendants have it better. At least they get to really travel the world, and stay in NICE hotels. Pay is still crappy, but the perks are a lot better! After a while, those long haul flights would get old, too.
Jimmy Mack Dec 8th 2011 11:19AM
Heather,
When you get time I hope you post new commentary on the Alec Baldwin/American Airlines dust-up. As a fellow flight attendant I find his alleged behavior and very public remarks reprehensible. We all know this type of traveller, the arrogance, the phony indignation...etc. But Baldwin's notariety, or what's left of it, has most of the media accepting his distorted version of events. No one should be able to falsely discredit another human being, trying to do their job in difficult conditions, and get away with it. One would think getting kicked off the flight would embarass most people, but Baldwin and his grotesque ego apparently have no boundries. He continues to trash this flight attendant and the flight attendant profession (see Huffington Post/travel/Dec08,2011), with little regard to facts or human decency.
If I were the flight attendant in question I would first demand an apology from Baldwin. Assuming he won't do that, I would insist on being interviewed by CNN or MSNBC or The New York Times. I would throw it all back in his face in a very public way, including the threat of a civil suit for defamation of character, until he and his agent get the message. I hope flight attendants everywhere are paying attention. Airline management as well. I hope he flies my airline and refuses to comply with the rules. It would be an honor to kick his lame ass off another flight.
And by the way, any man who can't keep a Kim Bassinger happy is one flawed individual. I feel sorry for the daughter too.
Jimmy Mack
eva Dec 11th 2011 1:18PM
that's right Tony, I never thought I would say this but yes, it is addictive! Eleven years into this lifestyle, and not one boring moment,,some days are tough, I guess I'll sleep when I'm dead!
Stew Jan 22nd 2012 4:13PM
Can anyone recommend a Labor Attorney that is familiar with FA work rules and contracts?
My union has failed me & claims they cannot represent since the grievance was not filed in a timely manner (although this was the union fault). They said my only recourse now is to hire a private attorney (expensive!) and regular attorneys do not understand the ins and outs of the job.