What I Wish I Knew Before I Became A Flight Attendant
“Some people say it's easier to get into Harvard than to become a flight attendant."
Have you ever thought about becoming a flight attendant? Between the free flights and the opportunity to travel and see the world, being a flight attendant is very appealing. Some would even call it a dream job. However, becoming a flight attendant isn't the easiest, and if you get the job, you'll find out that though rewarding, it is not for everybody.
I recently spoke with three flight attendants and they gave me the scoop on the things they wish they knew before becoming a flight attendant. If you are thinking about being a flight attendant, you should read what they have to say first.
1. The interview process for becoming a flight attendant is a long one.
It's rare that there are openings for a flight attendant job and when there is one, thousands and thousands of people apply at one time. Once selected to interview, you may be required to do three to four interviews (and that depends on the airlines and recruiters). For most airlines, the on-site interview will be about eight hours long. Once you apply and if you are not selected, you have to wait another six months until you can interview again.
2. You cannot listen to everyone before your job interview.
There is a flight attendant group on Facebook called Flight Attendant Career Connections. On this private group's page, you can get interview and training tips (plus more). While it is insanely cool to have this type of resource at your fingertips, you should not solely rely on that page for all of your sage advice. Even if you join the group, still do your own research on flight attending. Research the company and flight attendant information online, practice basic interview questions. Also, if you happen to know someone that's a flight attendant, talk to them.
3. Always have more than one source of income, especially when you are new to the job.
If you are quitting your current job to be a flight attendant, leave on a good note, and try to still work part-time for them if you can. When you first start out as a flight attendant, you may not get as many hours as you want so it'll be good to have a second set of income. First year flight attendants have it rough. During your first year, you won't make much money so it'll be helpful to have a second or third gig.
4. Training to become a flight attendant will be the hardest thing in life.
Training is hard. Many people say it's the hardest thing they've ever done. One flight attendant felt that training is like the game of survivor, rushing a sorority with a touch of boot camp. Training moves so fast and you have to pass every test with a 90 percent or higher. Anything below is failing. You can only fail two tests and if you fail three times you'll be sent home and you can't apply again until six months later. Training is also seven weeks long and you don't get paid (remember the importance of a second source of income?).
5. Being a flight attendant can make you home/family/friend sick in the beginning.
If you become a flight attendant, more than likely you will have to relocate to a new city. It can be rather difficult if you don't have a support system in place to help you through your transitions during your first year. Living with family, if possible, during your first year is ideal.
6. In the beginning, it can be hard to date or maintain your relationships.
You're always traveling and at the start of your career, you are only home for a few days a month. This can sometimes make it hard to maintain relationships, especially if they are long-distance.
7. Sometimes you will be “on call" and it'll have its ups and downs.
As a flight attendant, you're "on call" like most other jobs and the airline will call you if you're needed. It's great because you may have extra days off to relax. On the other hand, however, you're very limited to the things you can do for the day in case you're needed for work. For example, sometimes flight attendants miss a lot of family events (i.e. holidays, graduations, summer vacations, etc.) because they are required to work during those times.
8. The comfort/service animal has no limitations.
Emotional support animals, or comfort/service animals are animals that have been deemed as able to fly with their owners in-cabin. A letter from a licensed medical professional is usually needed, but these animals help flyers who suffer from anxiety, mental health disabilities, and are used to support the overall physical, mental, and/or cognitive condition of the passenger. What you might not know is that any animal can be considered a comfort animal, even pigs. When you are a flight attendant, you will see some of the most random animals on the plane.
9. It'll be rare to work with the same people.
Every flight attendant that I spoke with agreed that this was one of their favorite aspects of being a flight attendant. As a flight attendant, you will have the opportunity to increase your network at your company because on almost every flight you will work with someone you've never met or worked with before.
10. Your entire life will change.
As a flight attendant, you'll have the opportunity to see the world. Maybe that means you are flying to Paris for two days for free or fly to Chicago for lunch just to come back home afterwards, or go to Miami for a few hours to lay out on the beach. The possibilities are limitless. Also, keep in mind the flight benefits are the best! You'll be able to fly free (some locations aren't free but the discount will ALWAYS be amazing).
Still interested? You can apply for flight attendant jobs below:
Featured image by Getty Images
Brittani Hunter is a proud PVAMU alumni and the founder of The Mogul Millennial, a business and career platform for Black Millennials. Meet Brittani on Twitter and on the Gram at @BrittaniLHunter and @mogulmillennial.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images