A FLIGHT ATTENDANT STORY PAGE 7: THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF FLIGHT ATTENDANTS
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!
Page 8. Advantages of Working for Smaller Airlines
