What are cabin crew shifts like?


What are cabin crew shifts like? Flight attendants do not work typical 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. shifts. With flights running all hours of the day and night, a flight attendant schedule has to match the ever-changing flight schedules. Over the course of a month, flight attendants work approximately 65 to 90 hours, with the option to work overtime hours.


How often do flight attendants get days off?

Flight attendants frequently have between 12 and 18 days off per month and over a years time, average about 156 days off. (The average office worker has 96 days off and, works eight-hour days.) Of course, days off are not necessarily at home, buy many flight attendants use these days as mini vacations.


Is cabin crew hard job?

While the responsibilities of a typical flight attendant don't require strenuous physical labor beyond stowing items, they're still on their feet a majority of the time. They spend much of their time boarding planes, walking the aisles to check on passengers and moving through airports to get to their next flight.


Do flight attendants ever get breaks?

Crew require a minimum of three hours rest when the flight duty period exceeds 14 hours (from when crew 'sign on' to 15 minutes after engines off). For flight duty periods longer than 18 hours, 4.5 hours bunk rest is required. The crew take turns for rest breaks.


How stressful is cabin crew job?

Mental demands – being a flight attendant can also be mentally demanding. The different time zones and physical aspects can result in tiredness, jet lag and fatigue. Dealing with challenging passengers can be stressful and upsetting.


What are the pros and cons of being a flight attendant?

The pros of being a flight attendant are getting to see the world and flight benefits, while the cons are missing important life events and having difficulty sustaining relationships. Pros: Perhaps one of the biggest (and most obvious) pros of being a flight attendant is that you are basically paid to travel the world.


Do flight attendants get drug tested?

DOT - As a flight attendant, a safety-sensitive designated position, you are subject to drug testing developed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration.


Do flight attendants get paid during delays?

Flight attendants are typically only paid during flight time, meaning that when flights get delayed, they're often forced to work longer days without compensation for the wait time — all while dealing with unsustainable schedules, exhaustion, and frustrated travelers.


Do flight attendants families fly free?

Many allow the spouses of flight attendants to fly for free, as long as it is recreational travel and not a work trip. Free flights can also be obtained at some airlines in the form of buddy passes.


Do flight attendants get good sleep?

Sleeping Challenges
Cabin crew workers are considered shift workers. This means they do not work the conventional 9-5, but instead, have work hours that fall outside of that range. Crews normally struggle with both sleep quality and sleep quantity.


What are the perks of being a flight attendant?

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.


How long do cabin crew stay away from home?

Work Schedules
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.


Can you pick your base as a flight attendant?

Flight attendants can typically choose the home base airport they report to, so you might consider researching which cities offer the highest flight attendant salaries on average.


Do flight attendants go home every night?

They often work nights, weekends, and holidays because airlines operate every day and have overnight flights. 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.


How many flights do cabin crew do a day?

How many flights can I expect to fly on a typical day? The number of flights will vary based on the trip assigned. However, as an Endeavor flight attendant, you can expect to fly from one to six flights in a day.


Where do flight attendants sleep after a flight?

When they reach their destination, flight attendants are often provided with a hotel stay during layovers. The airline will choose a hotel for the cabin crew and cover the cost of the hotel for their stay; that includes transportation to and from the hotel and food eaten while in the hotel.


Is there a weight requirement for flight attendants?

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.


What are the odds of becoming a flight attendant?

Flight Attendant school has become ever more important. Historically, there has been around a 1% hiring rate. In other words, your chances of getting hired is 1 out of 100.