“Did you hear that Donna quit? She’s gonna miss it when she realises what she’s left behind!”
I started flying a little bit later in life than many others. It wasn’t something I planned on doing, and I had never previously seen myself as a flightie. I was at a crossroads in my life and my career, and flying came at just the right time. Like a gift from the heavens, my friend encouraged me to go for it. I’d never worked or applied to be cabin crew before, but the rest became history.
After working at a community newspaper, as a travel agent, summer jobs at a zoo, in several retail outlets, at a recruitment company (where I only lasted a few days) and at a web design business as a copywriter, I can honestly say hand on heart, flying is the best job of all that I’ve had. Coming to the job with a background doing other things has allowed me to experience ‘the real world’ and properly appreciate all that flying offers. And it offers a lot – so much more than any other job I have worked. Here’s why it’s the best job I’ve had by far.
Fun, Social Line of Work
Flying is an incredibly social job – and I often consider it a blessing that my job gives me the social interaction and connection that we as humans crave. I’m both an introvert and an extrovert, and being a flight attendant gets me out, and maintaining my people skills. As cabin crew you need to be good at general chit chat and It’s expected that we engage with the passengers and each other – I don’t think I’ve done as much talking in other jobs than what I do as cabin crew. At home or on layovers, I get to enjoy the balance of having time to myself to recharge.
Being crew is a fun line of work we are all part of a team making sure hundreds of people’s needs are met. Each flight we work is like staging an event, and after it, we get to let our own hair down and debrief in the hotel bar. We don’t have to take ourselves too seriously, and it’s not rocket science. That means we can see the funny side of human nature. The good, the bad and the ugly — and we bond together through it all.
Able to Make a Difference
It’s a real joy as a flight attendant to have those moments where you can really make a difference to a customer. At my airline, we are empowered to create a great experience wherever we can, and even though I deal with hundreds of people each day, it’s a good feeling when you can do that something extra for someone. It might be seeing the relief on a mothers face when you move her and her newborn to the bassinet row. Sometimes, it’s just the look of appreciation you get from a bunch of excited travellers when you deliver them a round of Gin and tonics that they weren’t expecting.
Compared to other service jobs, which are often more transactional, we are in position to help and we as crew are the people that make a difference to the overall experience that someone has on board.
Whether it’s looking after someone feeling sick, finding a special meal for someone with dietary needs, and just offering those little extras before they are requested, it might make more work for us, but seeing the appreciation and genuine thanks makes it all worth it.
Dynamic and Interesting Industry
I was never an #avGeek or an #aerosexual before being a flight attendant, and I’m not now, but I have definitely developed an interest in the aviation industry. It’s an ever-changing world, with new aircraft, destinations and technology always in the pipeline. There’s something incredibly exciting about being in the aviation loop, talking to engineers and pilots and other crew about the industry and the airline world. Working for such a large company like an airline is a proud feeling to be a part of something bigger, and a company that is recognisable to people around the world.
Aviation is modern phenomenon and as much as flying has become routine, it’s still a very special privilege to be able to be travel from one place to a far away destination in a short time. Just being in an airport gives me a bit of a buzz. The fact that they operate so smoothly, coordinating the movement of thousands of people (and their belongings) each day, from all walks of life is minor miracle.
Strong and Secure Conditions and Work Life Balance
Sure, I can’t speak for all airlines, but in Australia at least, I’ve enjoyed some of the best conditions of my working life being at an airline. It may have used to be even better in the good old days, but I know what’s on offer in other jobs. Working for an airline you get so much more. Meal allowances and tax free daily travel allowance means when you’re working you don’t spend much – if any – of your own money.
I get more days off and work less hours as a full time flight attendant than I did in other jobs. This allows me to have work life balance and to pursue other interests. One of the best things about flying is that you can do something else on the side. Even on a three day trip, 24 hours of that I’m not actually working but being paid to stay in a comfy hotel and relax before my flight home. I could even work on my blog if I’m organised enough! On reserve, I’m effectively being paid to be at home even if I’m not needed to crew a flight.
Even when I was a casual flight attendant, I still was guaranteed a certain number of days work each month. This is more than what’s on offer as casual in other jobs where hours could and would fluctuate at each weekly roster. Now as a full time employee, with 6 weeks annual holiday plus sick pay, I feel more secure and am able to plan a future.
Compare this to other full time jobs at smaller companies where I always felt like the rug could be pulled out from under me. I had to take forced leave when the business would close over Christmas, and things would always change on a dime. There’s a great sense of stability working for an airline that you just don’t get with smaller businesses.
Be Paid To See The World
Being a flightie is a lifestyle more than it is a job. It allows you such incredible freedoms. Sure, it has it’s moments, but then you remember you had breakfast at home, and that evening you’ll be experiencing the cold winter air on your cheeks in Japan, eating Gyoza and drinking an Asahi. It’s an incredible privilege.
It’s important to never lose sight of the fact that I’m are being paid to go somewhere that others save up their own money to go to. I have access to different food, shops, and the sights and sounds of different cultures on a regular basis. My weekly routine is broken up by a change of scene, and I get to have many second homes. After a few days at home, rested and recharged, I’m raring to go again. I used to have jobs where I dreaded Monday morning, but as a flightie, there’s none of the stress, none of the job comes home with you, and it often doesn’t feel like going to work at all.
Maybe it sounds cheesy, but my fellow crew feels like my family. The thrill of flight and being high up in the clouds never gets old. I hope it never does. After I started working as a flight attendant, my friends commented how happy I seemed. If I start to feel jaded, I stop to think about what my work offers me and I really feel like I have scored. I hope I can continue to appreciate flying for many years to come. I don’t think it will be too hard to do, because it’s by far the best job I’ve ever had.
