For
those of you who are interested in a career
as a flight attendant, jobs with the major airlines
are not the only option and may not be the right fit for some
job seekers. There is a smorgasbord of jobs available, offering
different advantages for the diverse types of people interested
in flying.
The
most popular and well-known type of flight
attendant is the one who flies for a major airline,
such as US Airways, Continental, Delta, United, Southwest,
TWA, American, Northwest or America West. These airlines,
with the exception of Southwest, are global
carriers. As a flight attendant
with these airlines you will be able to fly all over the world,
although it may require several years’ seniority in order
to do so on a regular basis. They fly a variety of aircraft,
which may include medium size jets such as the Boeing 737 to
jumbo-jets such as the DC 10. These airlines have a number of
bases nationwide and sometimes worldwide, and the reserve system
varies from several months to several years. The pay scale is
generally higher with the major carriers, with a full range
of benefits available, such as paid time off, medical, dental
and life insurance, credit unions, 401K’s, profit sharing,
and pass benefits. And the older, more established airlines
generally have more reciprocal flight benefits with other airlines
than newer start-up airlines do.
The
second most popular type is the flight
attendant for the national airline. Nationals
usually go shorter distances. They service the smaller cities
that are not frequented by as many passengers as the ones served
by major airlines but still require service. These airlines
include AirTran, Spirit, Midway, Midwest Express, Frontier
and National Airlines and may serve cities such as
Greensboro, NC, Ft. Walton Beach, FL or Chicago’s Midway
Airport. They most often use only one type of aircraft such
as the B-737 or MD-80. The benefits for these airlines are similar
to the majors, with perhaps not quite as many perks. Time spent
on reserve varies, and is not usually as long as those of the
major airlines. Layover time is also shorter most of the time,
since these airlines are generally lower fare carriers and have
quick turns with their aircraft.
Flight
attendants
for another class of airlines, called regionals, fly on smaller
aircraft, usually turboprops or small jets called Regional Jets
(RJ’s). For the most part, these flights carry commuters
and passengers connecting to the mainstream airlines. Most of
their aircraft seat fewer than 50 passengers and require only
one flight attendant.
If you like working without anyone looking over your shoulder,
this type of flying might be for you. These airlines fly shorter
distances, usually within one state or a small region, such
as the northeast. Some of these airlines are Comair,
Sky West, US Airways Express, United Express and American Eagle.
Benefits with these airlines are still comparable with larger
ones, as well as having flight discounts with the larger carriers.
Another
kind of airline that uses flight
attendants is the charter airline. This type
of airline does not have many scheduled flights but is chartered
by tour groups. The flight schedules may change from month-to-month,
as well as cities served. Some of these airlines go all over
the world for most of their flights, and it is not unusual for
a new flight attendant
to find him or herself on a trip to Europe the first month out
of training! These airlines usually have fewer employees, but
the flying is more specialized. Most flights for charter airlines
travel to vacation spots and exotic locations, but can also
involve military transport. Benefits are comparable in most
cases, with the possible exception of reciprocal passes from
scheduled airlines. Some well-known charter airlines are American
Trans Air, Miami Air, Sun Country and World Airways.
Some of these airlines do not have continuous reserve, but only
require it one day per month, for all their flight
attendants.
There
is also a type of flight attendant
known as the corporate flight
attendant. Flying corporate involves working
for a corporation or an individual instead of an established
airline. The airplanes they use are usually small ones such
as Falcons or Challengers, but may even be smaller, private
aircraft or large ones, such as Boeing 737’s. The flight
attendants fly to wherever they are needed,
and sometimes they must be available at a moment’s notice.
The crew may be gone for weeks at a time, but due to the fact
that these personnel must be available so frequently, this type
of flying can command quite a lucrative salary. A corporate
flight attendant can expect to make anywhere
from $30,000/yr. to $60,000, and this can even go higher, depending
on the policy of the corporation or individual. The service
offered on corporate flights is exemplary, in order to pamper
their customers. Usually specialized training is required prior
to applying, which the company rarely provides. And it’s
best to know someone within the company who can put in a good
word for you, as these jobs are seldom advertised. Some examples
of people who use corporate flight
attendants are athletic teams such as the Orlando
Magic, celebrities, private companies and wealthy, private individuals
who travel frequently.
No
matter what kind of flying you choose, it is nice to know there
are options other than the obvious ones for which most people
apply. Each type of airline has its own character, so if a major
airline is a Roadrunner and you are a Donald Duck, you may be
happier working for a regional or a charter. A lot of these
jobs can be quite satisfying, and afford some advantages not
provided by the majors, such as short reserve and seniority
time, immediate international travel, and a closer-knit camaraderie
not always obtained within large companies. Taking the
time to carefully weigh your decision may make the difference
between being in the right job with the wrong company or having
just the “right fit” based on your needs!
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