Anther reader question having to do with the specifics of Flight Attendant scheduling.
Q.  What is deadheading?
A. In aviation speak, deadheading is a phrase used to position a flight crew member as part of their scheduled trip.  The term “positioning” is also used.
A Flight Attendant who is deadheading is on duty, that it, s/he is traveling on a particular flight under orders of the company, and is not a pleasure travel.  They may or may not be in uniform, that policy varies among airlines.  They will likely occupy a regular passenger seat on the airplane, although on some carriers they …read more

I’ve seen a hotel room or two in my career.  Everything from a rundown dilapidated hotel, with no heat, but they’d send up a space heater, to lovely resort properties that cared about your every need.  So, today’s reader questions, from Marty, is one that is near and dear to my heart.
Marty asks:
Q.  I was wondering what flexibility you have, if any, in choosing what hotel to stay at?  I’m imagining that you probably have to stay at the airport location for whatever hotel chain that your airline has designated?  Is it the same chain in every city?  And …read more

Since one of the benefits of the job of a Flight Attendant is travel, the question for today is one that I get all the time.
Q.  Do you use your travel benefits?  Where do you go?  How often?  How do you decide?
A.  This is not quite as easy of a question as it might seem.  Much depends on how much time is available, the time of year, if I’m traveling with a friend, alone, or with a group of people, and, of course, the available budget.
For quick getaway weekends of only 2-3 days, that probably means sticking close to …read more

I recently received a question from a reader who signed his email simply D.  He has recently gotten to know a Flight Attendant, and was already experiencing how difficult it was working out schedules and locations.
He asks —
Q.  How do couples with a FA or pilot partner survive such a lifestyle in the beginning of their relationship as well as during their married life?   How are their schedules made?  Are they all made at the last minute depending on reservations?
A.  This is a great question!  Relationships with a Flight Attendant, and their crazy schedule, hours, and lifestyle, can be …read more

Today’s Flight Attendant Friday question comes from Lauren, a young woman who is working on her degree while the economy gets turned around and airlines start hiring again.  Which, I would add, is a very wise choice to make.  The degree will help give you an edge in the hiring process.
Here’s what she wants to know:
Q.  My question is do you get breaks whilst on duty? If so, how long are they and how many would you get on a 12 hour flight?, I’m just curious to be honest.
A.  Duty hours for Flight Attendants are regulated by a number …read more

I’ve had some email conversations back and forth with a reader who has been extended an offer of a training class with one of the commuter carriers.  It’s not really her first choice airline, and she’s wondering what to do.  Those emails resulted in today’s Flight Attendant Friday question.
Q.  If I get an offer from one airline, but I really am hoping to go to work for another, what should I do?
A.  Ask this question of enough Flight Attendants, and you’re sure to get whatever answer you’re looking for.
Given today’s current events, economic situation, and state of the airline …read more

I received an email from Lorelei, who has been hired on with an airline and is just awaiting the start of her training class.
She had lots of questions, and I’ll be sharing them here over the next few weeks because they are questions I regularly here asked about the job.
Q.  I’m concerned about job security and wondered what you think about the future in the airline industry as a flight attendant?   I have a pretty decent job, but I just want to fly.
A. If you’re looking for an industry with job security, I doubt that the airline industry would …read more

It’s been awhile since I’ve had a Flight Attendant Friday.  Sometimes questions come in fast and furious, and other times it’s pretty sparse in between. 
The question today, though, is one that I’ve gotten asked a lot over these past few weeks. 
Q.  Are any airlines hiring Flight Attendants right now?
A.  Not that I know of.  Most of the major carriers, and many of the regional and commuter airlines has furloughed Flight Attendants.  Furlough means layoff. 
Everyone is trying to ride out what looks like a very bumpy year, and that means cutting back on routes.  When you cut …read more

I get lots of questions and emails from young men and women (teens) who “want to be a Flight Attendant when they grow up.”  The common thread in the questions is asking what can be done NOW to prepare for the job LATER.
 
Q.  What can I do now to make sure that I will be hired as a Flight Attendant when I get older?
A.  First of all, it’s important to recognize when LATER might actually be.
Most U.S. carriers have a minimum age requirement of 21.  Some of the smaller regional carriers (also known as commuter airlines) may have a …read more