Can you have a life as a flight attendant?

A job as a flight attendant can be difficult, and you have to work long hours and often have to be on standby. Starting salary is usually low, and while you get to travel and meet new people, it might be difficult to maintain relationships. There are also chances of burnout and disrupted sleep cycles.



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Flight Attendants made a median salary of $61,640 in 2021.

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Flight attendants have unique and interesting jobs. They work long hours, often in difficult and cramped conditions. But they also get to see the world and meet new people. It's a challenging and rewarding career and one that is full of surprises.

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New flight attendants typically work a reserve schedule and must be close to the airport, or sometimes wait at the airport for a call to duty. Senior flight attendants enjoy more flexibility in their schedule and choice of destinations. Both roles enjoy the same travel benefits with about 12 days off per month.

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They may spend several nights per week or per month away from home. In most cases, a contract between the airline and the flight attendant union determines the total daily and monthly workable hours. On-duty shifts per day may vary from 4 to 18 hours or longer, such as for international flights.

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Airline crew in this region tend to stay between five and seven years, longer if they can move into a ground-based job.

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At some airlines, the minimum age requirement to be a flight attendant is 18, but for most, it's 20-21. As a flight attendant, age is just a number. You can be too young to be a flight attendant but not too old if you are in good shape and can work long hours and do some heavy lifting.

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Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, typically 18 or 21; be eligible to work in the United States; have a valid passport; and pass a background check and drug test. They must have vision that is correctable to at least 20/40 and often need to conform to height requirements set by the airline.

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The training process for flight attendants can be quite rigorous and time-intensive. New hires typically need to complete somewhere between three to six weeks of initial training, where they learn on-the-job skills such as safety procedures and emergency drills.

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Published Research. U.S. flight attendants have a higher prevalence of several forms of cancer, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, thyroid cancer, and cervical cancer, when compared with the general public, according to new research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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These are some of the most common injuries flight attendants experience. Turbulence. When there's turbulence or a rough landing due to weather conditions, flight attendants can suffer bruises, lacerations, herniated disks, concussions, and neck and shoulder injuries. Shift Work Disorder.

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Here are 10 common advantages of the flight attendant career path:
  • Free flights and travel opportunities. ...
  • Flight benefits for family and friends. ...
  • Flexible schedule. ...
  • Opportunities to meet new people. ...
  • Food expense reimbursement. ...
  • Overnight hotel stays. ...
  • Ability to self-direct. ...
  • Health insurance.


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They may spend several nights per week or per month away from home. In most cases, a contract between the airline and the flight attendant union determines the total daily and monthly workable hours. On-duty shifts per day may vary from 4 to 18 hours or longer, such as for international flights.

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After the training, flight attendants are assigned a base (Kelly was given Philadelphia) and have five days to move to it. From here you have several options for housing. Most stay in what's called a “crash pad” where they pay $200 to $300 a month for a bed when they aren't flying.

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Airlines provide a three- to six-week training program for their flight attendants. You will typically attend training for eight hours a day throughout the duration of the program. This training prepares you to use airport codes, make PA announcements, perform routine job duties and handle in-flight emergencies.

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Average Age of Flight Attendants There are some airlines that are more lenient when it comes to age requirements, but they are typically regional or smaller carriers. For the major airlines, the average age limit for flight attendants is between 27 and 32 years old.

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It's a physical job, but not all flight attendants must be slim and trim. You do, however, have to fit into the flight attendant jumpseat. Flight attendants have no set weight requirements, as body types can vary even if two people are the same height and weight.

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Average Flight Attendant Pay vs. Flight Attendants earned an average salary of $62,280 in 2021.

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As long as you can perform all the duties and pass the annual training, you're qualified for another year. Usually, flight attendants stick with the job as long as they physically can because every year the salary grows.

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Do flight attendants get free hotel accommodation? Yes, flight attendants often receive complimentary hotel stays during layovers (also called a stopover) as part of their job benefits. However, this only applies when the flight attendants are on duty and are required to layover in a different city or country.

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