Anyone a flight attendant? Need advice...

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

So, tomorrow morning I'm headed to JFK for an interview for a flight attendant position with Northwest Airlines.

I have always wanted to be a flight attendant, despite the low pay. Being multilingual, I thought I'd also be a good fit.

Any advice on the interview, life as a FA for NWA, or anything else?

[Nikia]

1. My sister was a flight attendent for a major airline, now a smaller one

She was hired at the beginning of 2001 for a major airline. The interview event involved a relatively large group of people. There was an individual interview and group interview. She had to read flight instructions for them too. It is important that you have a good speaking voice and seem comfortable around people. She had to pass a physical and prove that she could meet the strength requirements, which aren't for wimps.
One employed, she had training. She got her assignment. Their scheduling was often last minute. They were essentially on call and expected to be at the airport within 3 hours of their call, day or night. I am not sure if they had better scheduling after they were employed for a while.
After Septmenber 11 though, she was layed off shortly later. At the beginning of 2002, she got a job at a smaller airline. At this airline, they do get their schedule in advance and can request days off ahead of time. They get many days off per month, however, her flights are all there and back flights to a relatively distant location so she works 12-14 hours on the days when she works. They have appearance codes which include make up, hair, and nails. They wear heels in the terminal and flats once the flight is underway. Again, they must be strong to load luggage overhead if necessary and open the emergency doors and deploy the slide if necessary.
Personally, she likes being a flight attendent and sees it as a decent paying job for a college drop out and one with a future.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

2. Thanks for the info...

the airline industry is definitely not for the faint of heart.

[stevans_41902]

3. good luck! i think knowing more than 1 language will help you out a lot...

as for me i try to stay off planes as much as i can (realize its much safer than driving, but would still rather be on the ground.) I can see the appeal of being able to travel all over the country/world though.

[BlondieK143]

4. I've looked into it before.

And most airlines have their own training schools they want you to go through. I don't know how Northwest works, but the two airlines I looked at gave you paid training and a course you had to pass with a certain score. Appearance is key in succeeding as well as being able to properly interact with the passengers. This probably isn't too helpful, but it's pretty much all I know. Good luck!

[judaspriestess]

5. I used to be a flight attendant

they like assertiveness. Being able to talk very clearly.
Strong.
Just let them know how much you want to be a flight attendant and you love to fly.

Good luck. Gosh, I miss it so darn much. I applied for a flight attendant recently for corporate jets but they did not call me.

When I was flying, I was even promoted to Lead Flight attendant. Something I was not prepared for to say the least.
The training is like Bootcamp but once you graduate, you feel like a million bucks. Good luck again. Let us know what happens!!

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

6. Well, I went and got an invitation

to training, but something is of concern to me.

It seems like they are getting ready for possible strike by the machinists' union and it seems that the flight attendants union may follow suit.

Apparently, these 1200 "flight attendant trainees" would then be used to work during the strike, basically as scabs.

Yet, at the same time, NWA recalled from furlough a lot of flight attendants, but it looks like they will be short a few hundred (therefore, these trainees would get to work).

The thing that bothers me is that you are not guaranteed you'll be working after training (which is 3 weeks paid at $60). I am not so sure I'd want to be (1) a scab and (2) lose my current job for the uncertainty of this position, despite the fact that I've always wanted to be a flight attendant and, more importantly, I would be very good at it.