28 Mar
Travel In Style: Become a Flight Attendant!
Posted in Flight Attendants on 28.03.13 by Merlyn
Author: Carrie Hoyt, Certified Flight Attendant:
Many dream of becoming a flight attendant. This glamorous, high-profile job allows one to travel the world and see different places in style. However, these benefits and more come after the rigorous training and exposure flight attendants go through. Before travelling in style, those who want to be part of the cabin crew have to know first how to serve the other passengers well inside the plane. Those who want to be part of the crew need months of safety and service training so that once inside the plane, they will be able to serve their customers according to their airline’s standards. Though being a flight attendant could be hard and quite challenging at times, the perks are surely big. Here are some examples of perks that flight attendants are entitled to:
More Time Off, Flexible Schedule
To ensure their health and safety, flight attendants usually work two weeks straight and then have the rest of the month off. For some, they work every other week. Unlike most people who get off days only during weekends and holidays, flight attendants have the liberty to rest and regain their strength before they get back to work. When you’re already a senior member of the cabin crew, your airline might allow you to switch schedules with the newer members. Having a flexible schedule could work for flight attendants who have their own families or have other interests on the side. This might be interesting for those who can’t stand being stuck in an office from 9 to 5. For the free-spirited and travel-savvy person, this routine could be enticing. If you’re the type of person whose game plan is to work hard and play hard, this seals the deal.
Five Star Boarding and Lodging
Staying in a simple hotel while you’re travelling is alright but if you’re a flight attendant, you are given the luxury to wake up in a famous city’s five-star hotel. Some airlines treat their flight attendants with the best rewards and that includes high-class boarding and lodging. For the average person, staying in a hotel for relaxation could mean spending hard-earned salary overnight. But when you’re getting paid to take care of customers during a long flight, this is your reward for giving them the best service. Not everyone gets to stay in a savvy hotel often. But for members of the cabin crew, staying in posh hotels and enjoying the best of their service is something they could enjoy more than the rest. After all their hard work on flights, they are permitted to sit by the hotel pool while sipping a drink and saying, “This is the life!”
Opportunities to Explore the World
Flight attendants who have been hired by international airlines are given the chance to live in a foreign country. Usually, flight attendants for international airlines are relocated to the country where the headquarters are located. For the adventurous and independent person, this could give them the opportunity to get to know a different culture and to make new friends in the process.
Waking up in a country that you have always wanted to explore is already a privilege but getting paid to get there is also a great reward. Flight attendants are often given the opportunity to travel and shop while waiting for their next string of flights. And while they’re at it, they also get discounts on vacation packages. Of course, it would be unfair to them if they are just allowed to stay in the airport and not go anywhere. While waiting for days for their next flight schedule, they can travel to their heart’s content. Those who are consumed with wanderlust will find this perk irresistible.
Free or Discounted Airfare for the Flight Attendant and His/ Her Family Members
Now, who could resist this? Everyone knows that airfares are expensive especially when one needs to travel to a foreign country. However, this is not a problem for a flight attendant and for his or her family. Flight attendants are usually given a number of free flights as well as a number of people that they can bring along with them. When you’ve got a flight attendant in the family, you can enjoy vacations overseas without the main travel expense. Some airlines even offer this benefit for their loyal employees even after they have retired. If one of your dreams is to become a jetsetter, you may choose to work hard for it by becoming a good flight attendant.
And don’t forget the upgrades. Flight attendants are also eligible for a bump to first class. When there’s an available flight and seat, they can relax and unwind while getting superstar treatment. Once you’re in first class, the person sitting next to you could be a celebrity or someone really important. Even for those with buddy passes, they can fly first class for free!
Meeting Interesting People
Flight attendants enjoy the luxury of getting near famous personalities and serving them during flights. Though they have to keep their cool while dealing with well-known passengers, they have all the bragging rights afterwards and say that they have gotten close to so-and-so while on their way to an international destination. Some passengers in the first class are also very generous and members of the cabin crew are sometimes given lavish gifts to thank them for their efforts.
But even without the famous people in flights, flight attendants also enjoy interacting with interesting passengers. Though there could be some that can be a handful, there are also passengers who are genuinely nice, sweet and friendly. Meeting a great person in a flight is a perk in itself and everyone deserves to meet great people.
Want to be a flight attendant? If you’ve got the looks, the personality skills and strength to be part of the cabin crew, then apply in an airline and be one. If you can endure the hard work, surely you’ll be able to reap all the great perks in being a flight attendant.