4 answers
Morgan
Student
Rock Hill, South Carolina
2
Questions
Asked
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How do flight attendants have and keep a family?
I was wondering this because I want to have this career and I understand they are always on a flight after flight and was wondering do they have to to be home? Is this a job for unmarried and for people with no children?
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4 answers
Wayne Johnson
Maintenance Programs at Alaska Airlines
59
Answers
Auburn, Washington
Updated
Wayne’s Answer
Morgan - When you get selected to attend the Flight Attendants class, you will probably be required to stay at the hotel they provide for the duration of your training, about 6 weeks. After graduation you will be on a "stand-by status" for approximately 1 to 2 years or longer and may have to move to a flight attendant base, which are located in various cities. When you are on "stand-by status" you will be required to report for a flight within about 2 to 2.5 hours of being called. This will go on until you reach a seniority level within the airlines. Once you have seniority you will be able to bid flights and not be on "stand by status."
I know some flight attendants with seniority only fly about 6 days a month. They take a 3 day schedule, take a couple of days off then fly another 3 day schedule. Some will fly as much as possible during the first 2 weeks of the month and take the rest of the month off.
It may be hard to start a family until you get the seniority and can plan when you will be flying, etc.
In short, once you get seniority you can work as much or as little as you want.
Here is a link for Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants.
https://assets.phenompeople.com/CareerConnectResources/prod/SOUTUS/documents/ExternalFlightAttendantFAQs_September2023-1695172181863.pdf
Best of luck on your job search.
Wayne
I know some flight attendants with seniority only fly about 6 days a month. They take a 3 day schedule, take a couple of days off then fly another 3 day schedule. Some will fly as much as possible during the first 2 weeks of the month and take the rest of the month off.
It may be hard to start a family until you get the seniority and can plan when you will be flying, etc.
In short, once you get seniority you can work as much or as little as you want.
Here is a link for Southwest Airlines Flight Attendants.
https://assets.phenompeople.com/CareerConnectResources/prod/SOUTUS/documents/ExternalFlightAttendantFAQs_September2023-1695172181863.pdf
Best of luck on your job search.
Wayne
Kara Schultz
Technical Support
5
Answers
Algonquin, Illinois
Updated
Kara’s Answer
You could have a family while being a flight attendant. You would want to make sure you partner is secure with you traveling for a few days or so at a time and that you also feel comfortable with that time away too. I can take time to figure out the best way to stay connected while traveling. If you don't know how to do that then therapy can help you learn new ways to cope, communicate, and give you a new perspective. Plus, depending on which company you work for you can look up their maternity/paternity leave and other benefits prior to accepting a job.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity.
3766
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hi there, Morgan!
Absolutely, flight attendants can have a family while also thriving in their career. The job does come with its own set of challenges, like irregular hours and lots of travel, but many flight attendants have found a way to juggle both their work and family life successfully. There's no rule that says you can't be a flight attendant if you're married or have kids. But, it does need a bit of organization and family backup to handle the job's demands.
One of the ways flight attendants manage their family life is through smart scheduling. Many airlines are pretty flexible with their scheduling, allowing flight attendants to take specific days off or plan their work around important family occasions. Some flight attendants might even opt to work part-time or stick to certain routes that let them spend more time at home.
Moreover, having a solid network of family and friends for support is key for flight attendants who want to have a family. A dependable support system can assist with childcare, take care of the house, and provide emotional support when you're away for longer periods.
In recent times, the aviation industry has started to pay more attention to work-life balance. Airlines now understand how crucial it is to help their employees maintain a healthy personal life along with their work life. This understanding has led to better scheduling practices and benefits for flight attendants, making it easier for them to have a family.
In the end, while the flight attendant job can pose some unique challenges in balancing work and family life, it's completely doable for those in this profession to enjoy a rich personal life outside of their careers.
Top 3 Trusted Reference Publications:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - faa.gov
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA - afacwa.org
International Air Transport Association (IATA) - iata.org
And remember, it's okay to seek divine guidance when you need answers!
Ask for help from above...
Take care,
James.
Absolutely, flight attendants can have a family while also thriving in their career. The job does come with its own set of challenges, like irregular hours and lots of travel, but many flight attendants have found a way to juggle both their work and family life successfully. There's no rule that says you can't be a flight attendant if you're married or have kids. But, it does need a bit of organization and family backup to handle the job's demands.
One of the ways flight attendants manage their family life is through smart scheduling. Many airlines are pretty flexible with their scheduling, allowing flight attendants to take specific days off or plan their work around important family occasions. Some flight attendants might even opt to work part-time or stick to certain routes that let them spend more time at home.
Moreover, having a solid network of family and friends for support is key for flight attendants who want to have a family. A dependable support system can assist with childcare, take care of the house, and provide emotional support when you're away for longer periods.
In recent times, the aviation industry has started to pay more attention to work-life balance. Airlines now understand how crucial it is to help their employees maintain a healthy personal life along with their work life. This understanding has led to better scheduling practices and benefits for flight attendants, making it easier for them to have a family.
In the end, while the flight attendant job can pose some unique challenges in balancing work and family life, it's completely doable for those in this profession to enjoy a rich personal life outside of their careers.
Top 3 Trusted Reference Publications:
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) - faa.gov
Association of Flight Attendants-CWA - afacwa.org
International Air Transport Association (IATA) - iata.org
And remember, it's okay to seek divine guidance when you need answers!
Ask for help from above...
Take care,
James.
Patti Montefusco
Sales
7
Answers
Tampa, Florida
Updated
Patti’s Answer
Hi,
I believe as a flight attendant you are able to request the flights you want to work. For instance, I had a friend who only wanted to work the international flights. Then she chose which ones, how many to work. In a lot of cases, you start on the small planes that go back and forth to the same destination daily. With anything, you have the ability to work hard, move up and make a decent living, based on your needs. I would say, the first step is to identify how much money you need to make and how much time you want to work. Definitely a married person can work these jobs.
Thanks!
I believe as a flight attendant you are able to request the flights you want to work. For instance, I had a friend who only wanted to work the international flights. Then she chose which ones, how many to work. In a lot of cases, you start on the small planes that go back and forth to the same destination daily. With anything, you have the ability to work hard, move up and make a decent living, based on your needs. I would say, the first step is to identify how much money you need to make and how much time you want to work. Definitely a married person can work these jobs.
Thanks!