Calling all the former FAs!!!

[Kelly]

I know there are at least a few former FAs here on the boards. I'm very seriously considering a career change and I would love all of your input. Tell me the good, bad and the ugly... I would greatly appreciate it.

I'm a single mom, 37, with 2 kids ages 15 and 11. We are currently living with my parents and I'm going to speak with my parents about helping me out with this, so I'm thinking this may be as good a time as any to make the jump.

I would be leaving a pretty decent job, but I hate it. And its something I could always go back to if needed, I could pretty much get a job in my current field almost anywhere.

I've always been an aviation nut and had considered this route while I was in school, then life happened, I got married young, had kids young, etc. I had pretty much forgotten about it until I began dating a pilot a couple years ago (which is how I found this site, although we are not dating anymore)and he got my passion going again.

I have been thinking about a career change for quite a while now, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do, but over the past few weeks I've seriously been considering trying to be a FA with flight dispatching also an option. But I'm definitely leaning more towards FA.

There is a Mesaba job fair here at DTW in a few weeks, I'm definitely going to go and check it out, see what they have to say.

Sorry for the rambling post, any info/advice you guys have would be great.

Thanks!

[UKcats06]

I don't have any input but I would like to hear what everyone has to say also! I would love to be a f/a, we have no kids, but we do have a dog. I'm wondering if I could get my mom to watch the dog if we were both gone at the same time...

[Amanda]

Before moving to AZ in 1999 I looked into becoming a flight attendant because I love to travel so much. From what I learned they don't get paid much and most do it for the travel bennies. Also, I'm a bit on the short side so I would be wearing super high heels all the time.

I brought it up to Nick a few years back and he said it would be a very bad idea since chances are we would never see each other!

[amelia]

Originally Posted by Amanda

I brought it up to Nick a few years back and he said it would be a very bad idea since chances are we would never see each other!

This is why I left the industry. I started dating DH when I bacame a FA and he was a pilot at the same airline. It got to the point where we never saw each other, so I left.

But, overall I really liked it. I really really missed it when I left. I did and did not like dealing with the passangers. When they were in good moods and not upset over a delay, it was awesome. But, pax would get upset and yell at me over little things (well, things I thought were little). With any weather or maintence delay, some pax wouldn't take it so well and they would let me know. I don't think they realize that most delay's or cancellations are saftey related. Pax want thier flight out on time no matter what...even if it means taking off in the middle of a thunderstorm while the airport is closed down b/c of it.

The hours can be long (upwards of 15 duty hours), but not always. Depending on the airline, they pay might be low too.

I think being a FA depends on your personality. If are a people person and can handle situatioins where the pax are in bad moods then you might like it.

My DH keeps trying to get me to become a dispatcher. My DH thinks I'd really like that. DH says that dispatchers usually make more than FA's...at least more than new FA's.

I think if you want a change and you like to travel, then you should give it a shot. You might end up really loving it. Each person likes it or dislikes it for different reasons. What annoyed me in the job may not even phase you.

[Kelly]

Thanks for your reply Amelia! I've been working in health care for almost 20 years. Passengers sound alot like the patients I deal with... some of them are down right nasty and I've had a few change my life, or at least change my outlook on life.

I would be taking a pretty significant pay cut, that is one of my big concerns. But I am definitely ready for a change and I can't think of anything I want to do where there wouldn't be a pay cut... at least for a while.

As of right now I'm trying to gather as much info as possible to make an informed decision, I really appreciate your help.

[Cristine]

Hi Kelly-
I used to work at Mesaba out of DTW (I pmd you back) but did really want to mention that you will be away from your children a lot, on weekends, and holidays. if they are usually with their father, this wont' be an issue, but if not, it could be difficult

how do your parents feel about it?? how do your children feel about it???
I'd love to here who runs the open house. curious if the same people are still there!

I wish you the best
Cristine

[Kelly]

Hi Cristine,

I got your PM, I thought I PM'd you back??

I know I'll be away from my kids, their Dad actually has them about 40% of the time now. He and I have a great relationship and I'm sure we could work something out (me having them when home, him when I was away). My kids are getting older, they are 15 and 11, they are getting to the age where they have their own lives, etc. I know it would be an adjustment, but I'm willing to at least try it, if it doesn't work, it doesn't... at least I won't be wondering "what if" 20 yrs from now. There is someone on JC who did the same thing, we actually have very similar "stories", she's a divorced mom, etc. And she LOVES it, she said training was a little rough on the kids, but overall its worked out fine.

I spoke with my Mom about it briefly yesterday. Living with them, I know its asking alot of them. And she totally shocked me by saying "go for it!".

The open house is Tuesday, I'll let you know who is there.

Thanks again for your input!
Kelly

[Cristine]

I found your pm!!! I'm new and still learning!
I wish you the best and hope it goes well.

[roz]

Best of luck Kelly!

[airbuswife]

I was a F/A for 10 years! It is a fun job, but as Amelia said it can be long hours and the passengers can be a bit to handle. Especially in the beginning it is hard because you are one reserve,and working the holidays ect. But the longer you are there the better it gets; with a schedule and such. If I didn't have a little one, I would probably still be flying. Also with the state of the airlines I would be hesitant to start a flying career now.
Feel free to PM me with any questions!
Good luck to you!
Cathy