I need some career advice from my fellow DUers.

[Bronco69]

After working most of my life in the corporate world, when I got layed off the last time it was a welcome break. I count my blessings every day that I have a wonderful partner who supports me in most of my decisions. I decided to make a list of the things I WANT to do as opposed to just earning a paycheck. Basically the list narrowed down to travel, working with people and not being behind a desk all day. Then it dawned on me, maybe I should be a flight attendant. Well, I applied with a few airlines and I got a letter from Southwest airlines inviting me to a meeting there on Feb. 5. Now, here's the problem; At 43, do you think I'm too old to be a flight attendant? Should I go for it? Am I being silly?

[rockedthevoteinMA]

1. Hi Bronco69 - I don't think you're being silly, or too old!

My father recently switched careers at 46 - he went from being a professional chef, with his own restaurant to working at a car dealership, (not a salesman) - he saw an ad in the paper, and went to work driving BMW's. Just because he could. He is really happy now. No more stress. I think you need to follow what you're heart tells you - age is all in the mind.
Just my two cents. :)

[blueknight]

2. go for it!

and when im on board give me some extra pretzels!

[Bronco69]

6. Thanks rtviM

Maybe 43 isn't too old.

[trof]

3. Not too old, I don't think. (pilot here)

Age discrimination and all that.
Unlike pilots, I don't think there is a mandatory retirement age for flight attendants.
I was a pilot for TWA.

IMHO, it takes a special kind of personality to be a good F/A AND enjoy the job. You need a hell of a sense of humor and the ability to see humor in almost any situation. If you're easily offended, this isn't the job for you.

The pay isn't bad, and the travel benefits are OK. Neither are as good as they used to be. If you're working international flights, the time zones and scheduling can be grueling.

If you have any questions I'll try and answer them.

[Bronco69]

10. Thanks trof!

Actually I have a million questions, but I'll try to narrow them down to one or two. I can use all the advice I can get. :-)

[HEAVYHEART]

4. Not silly at all!

It's scary when you're at a crossroad in your life and need/want to make a drastic change. I did it 7 years ago. I too worked in the corporate world for 8 years. I then got laid off and got divorced the same friggin year! Long story short, that year I got laid off, I floundered around for a couple of months, went to an open mic, got inspired as hell from the musicians, bought my own equipment/gear for doing gigs, just in case something comes along.. That same year, I started doing shows 5 days a week and made it a full time job out of doing solo shows. I actually made more money doing the gigs than the corporate bullshit. It was scary as fuck but I did it for 5 years. I have a different job now and I'm happy...

I think you should go for it Bronco69. I'm excited for you!

[Bronco69]

11. Thanks

I like to think I've thought it all the way through but I'm sure I'm missing something. You're right, it is scary because my brain is saying "stick with what you know" while my heart is saying "do what will make you happy" :-)

[tjdee]

5. Go for it, you can always change your mind.

You're not being silly.

I'd just miss my partner with all those crazy hours--but I'm sure you've thought about that.

Good luck!

[Bronco69]

14. Actually I did think about that.

He travels all the time for work. His job is probably about 40%-50% travel. Maybe over time we could coordinate our schedules? I don't know how it would work at first.

[AwakeAtLast]

7. As long as you can do the job and you like it, age does not matter!

I think it is great that you found what you like and that you have a supportive spouse! I hope you have found the right job for you. Good luck!

[Bronco69]

15. He is very supportive

he told me to go for it too, but DAMN! it's scary. :-)

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. As long as there isn't an age limit,

go for it. I think that would be an awesome career.

[Bronco69]

16. I think so too.

It's that age limit thing that worries me a little. But I didn't see anything about age restrictions on their website, unless I missed it.

[proud2BlibKansan]

29. There used to be one

back when stewardesses were only females. I would think that was abolished when they started hiring males.

[kdmorris]

9. Hell, no, you're not being silly!!

You're still young (even if you don't feel like it). Right now, I work in the corporate world because I support my family. I make enough money to allow my husband to stay home with our 3 daughters. But I don't like my job. I wasn't cut out to be a Programmer Analyst and I dislike the fact that my sole contribution to this company is to increase their profits.

Once my youngest child goes to college, I'm hoping to go back to school and become a Registered Nurse, with an eye on becoming a Certified Diabetes Educator. It's about 5 years from now that my "baby" will be 18, and I will only be 41 then. So, I say "Go For It". You are NEVER too old to follow a dream!

:bounce: :toast: :bounce:

[Bronco69]

17. Thanks,

That means a lot! I didn't like my job either so I was ecstatic when I got layed off. I figure now is the time to do what I want to do.

[B Calm]

12. I use to an over the road trucker. All I can say is, I hope you

like being away from home for long periods. Myself I enjoy and cherish being home everyday.

[Bronco69]

18. That's another thing I need to check into.

How long will I be out when I'm traveling. I don't mind being away from home, but I don't want to be away for weeks at a time.

[rockedthevoteinMA]

13. In school last year in some class one of my professors told us

that the average person changes their career 5 times before retirement. Just an FYI! :)

[steely]

19. Gee, I hope he/she meant job and not career...

otherwise I am running late. :-)

[amazona]

20. ha ha you're ALMOST old enough to be Northwest flight attendant

I wouldn't hold my breath at Southwest but you might as well go for the interview.

Northwest Airlines has some truly ancient FAs including the infamous Bob. He might be 80 but he's confirmed to be in his 70s. If you are physically strong for your age -- can lift a 65 pound door in an escape maneuver -- you should be OK. I couldn't do that when I was 21.

Keep in mind your wonderful partner may not be as supportive when you are gone from home all the time. Pay sucks too.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[trof]

21. A day in the life:

(based on personal experience)
You set the alarm for 3 a.m. so you can leave the house at 4 a.m. for the one hour drive to the airport for a 5 a.m. briefing for a 6:30 flight to JFK.
At the briefing you meet the rest of the crew and you know a couple of them. Of the two you know, you know one won't be a lot of help.
The captain briefs possible turbulence over southern Indiana.
The flight is full.

You're the most junior F/A so you're working coach.
You and your partner board at 5:45 and check/set up the galley. You're missing one food carrier with a dozen meals. You call catering. They're busy provisioning other flights and two trucks are down for maintenance, but they'll do what they can.
Based on past experience with this outfit you are not optimistic.

You notify the captain that you're 12 meals short. He elects for an on-time departure, rather than screw around waiting for meals that may never show up. You can deal with it the best you can. Maybe some of your passengers won't be hungry.

The gate agent starts boarding passengers and HERE THEY COME.
You spend the next half hour helping to stuff bags into overhead racks and rearranging them to use every possible inch of space. You remind people several times that under-seat bags have to be COMPLETELY under the seat.
You hear complaints from those who wanted window seats, those who wanted aisle seats, and make adjustments where possible.

I won't go into everything that happens enroute, except that you are asked to dispose of 2 full barf bags and 4 full Pampers.
You hit the forecast turbulence and have to stop in the middle of the meal service, stow the carts, and strap in. After being bounced around for 20 minutes, the captain gives the all clear. You have about 40 minutes to complete the service and pick up and stow all the trays prior to landing.

Repeat the above scenario for 2 or 3 more legs. 4 or 5 legs if it's a commuter airline.
It's now 8 p.m. and quitting time. You're laying over in Dayton.
You arrive at the airport Holiday Inn to find that due to some late checkouts your room isn't q-u-i-t-e ready. You cool your heels in the lobby for a half hour. You leave a call at the desk for 6 a.m. and do it all over again the next day, and the day after that, and maybe the day after that.

It's a pretty damn glamorous life.
;-)
Ask me about "flying for free".

[RagingInMiami]

22. No wonder many flight attendents are so rude

[RebelOne]

23. If the airline doesn't think you are too old, then you aren't.

I say go for it and you are not being silly.

[Tweed]

24. Not a bad idea at all

It is a total change of pace for you. You can do that job for a year or so and if you don't like it, you can always go back to the corporate world. Take this as a break from your usual 9-5. If nothing else, think of the stories you will have.

[trof]

25. Just re-read your post. Southwest?

Based on what I've read and heard about the company, that would be my first choice as an employer.

[Bronco69]

26. Yeah, Southwest.

I just re-read through the qualifications in the letter they sent me and it doesn't mention age at all. I think that is the only hang up I have about this whole thing. Are you still a pilot?

[trof]

28. Retired in '99.

"A day in the life" tends toward a worse case scenario, but not uncommon.
Southwest routes are mostly relatively short hops, no international flights that I know of. It seems to be a congenial place to work, for an airline anyway. They seem to treat their employees right, unlike most others. Last I heard they were the only U.S. airline still making a profit.

[RagingInMiami]

30. Didn't they have some kind of survey a few years ago

That their employees were the happiest among all airlines?

[WritersBlock]

27. If they invited you to a meeting, they don't think you're too old.

And it sounds like it's a perfect job for you, since it incorporates all the things on your list of things you want to do.

Go for it! :)