The Benefits of Being a Flight Attendant

If you are flexible and able to accept change, the career of a flight attendant opens up unlimited possibilities. You may travel on your own carrier for free or a small service charge. Many airlines now have reciprocal jumpseat agreements with other airlines. This means that you can travel for free on these airlines, if they have any empty seats — although it may be spent sitting on an empty Flight Attendant jumpseat, which are not known for comfort. Other airlines will give you discounts of 50 to 90 percent, and you will be entitled to discounts on hotel rooms, meals, tour packages, cruise ships and rental cars.

These benefits may also extend to your parents, spouse, partner, children, and in some cases brothers, sisters, and even friends! Plus, with the schedule flexibility that flight attendants have, you will also have the time off to enjoy these travel benefits.

You will regularly visit parts of North America and the rest of the world that some people only dream about. While your friends are shopping at local malls, you’ll be shopping in Paris and Hong Kong. You can ski midweek when the prices are lower and there are no lift lines. You can go diving in the Caribbean, sun yourself in Saint Tropez, and catch plays and musicals in New York or London. You can shop in Rome and dine in Paris. You will think of boarding a plane and flying to another city or country the way other people think of hopping on the bus to go downtown. Each month, you can usually schedule yourself a week or two off from work in addition to your annual vacation. In contrast, some nine–to–fivers only get one week’s vacation a year!

As you accrue seniority, you can better schedule your flights so you have the time off to return to college, operate your own business, work a second job, or travel the world even more. Many airlines will regularly offer educational leaves of absence, maternity and paternity leaves, or extended leaves to pursue your new and varied interests. The opportunities are limited only by your imagination. Plus, you will come into contact with some of the most diverse and interesting people and cultures in the world. Some flight attendants have used their benefits to pursue travel photography, writing travel guidebooks, or visiting world historical sites. I know one flight attendant who organizes and leads safaris in Kenya each year, while another has used his time off to become a professional bass fishing guide.

A career as a flight attendant can also be your starting point for advancement into airline management. Your company will regularly post open job announcements within the airline before it looks outside the corporation. These include both permanent and temporary positions such as a flight attendant training instructors, supervisors, or interviewers.

In addition, most carriers offer comprehensive medical and dental insurance, as well as low–cost supplemental life insurance. These plans are also available to your spouse, partner and children.

Nearly all airlines offer retirement plans with travel benefits for employees who have completed a minimum number of years of service. Profit sharing, 401k's or stock investment plans may also be available.

TIM KIRKWOOD, currently in his 48th year as an airline flight attendant for a major US carrier, is the author of THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT CAREER GUIDE. For more information on the Guide, visit us on the web at:

 www.FlightAttendantCareerGuide.com.

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