Overworked and underpaid: Why I quit my job as a flight attendant
IT’S considered a dream job — being paid to travel the world free from the nine-to-five grind.
But what’s it really like working in the sky? This ex-flight attendant took to Reddit to air her grievances about one of the world’s most over-glamorised jobs.
Writing under the username, adrianne456, she complains about being overworked and underpaid and the reasons that made her finally quit.
Working for a regional airline in the USA for just under two years, the woman worked on 80 seater aircraft with one other flight attendant and two pilots. Here’s what her job was really like.
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Why did you quit?
“I was over it! The money is really tough starting off. It gradually got better but it’s a widely known thing that flight attendants are usually broke! This depends greatly on the airline, but I think all flight attendants would agree, the first year is the hardest.
“Also, being gone all the time, 13-15 days a month, was getting very old. It’s very hard to have a social life, dating life and just do normal things when you are gone five days out of the week and a different schedule every month.”
What are the biggest pros and cons? What about the pay?
“Basic pros: free travel and flexible schedule Basic cons: pay, long hours, super early mornings.”
adrianne456 says her starting hourly rate was $US17.50 ($A22.71) an hour plus $US1.90 ($A2.50) per diem (a daily allowance for expenses).
For example, a four-day trip flying for 18 flight hours would net her around $497 ($A645).
“If I do that trip four times in a month, that’s $2000 ($A2595). But then, take away union dues, taxes, etc ... yeah, you get the point,” she writes.
“Most major airlines now start about $US24-27 ($A31-$35) an hour. Naturally, regional airlines pay less. When I left, my pay rate was $22.10 $A28.70). Flight attendants who have been working for a long time at major airlines are making easily $45-55 ($A58-$71) an hour.”
Was there anything in particular that caused you to quit?
“Working my ass off and then getting a cheque the following month that didn’t reflect that,” she writes.
“It costs money just to go to work, for example I just finished a five-day trip. Most flight attendants carry a lunch box (including myself) but it’s almost impossible to pack food for five days. Maybe the first two to three days and snacks.
“But when you are doing flights back to back all day, you’re only option is expensive airport food. Then you tip the van/hotel drivers, who put your bags in the hotel shuttle. It adds up!”
Do you get food on the flights?
“We can eat all the snacks on the plane,” she writes.
“Unfortunately, my airline did not provide crew meals for the longer flights. Which is actually really sad (another reason I am leaving, some of these airlines simply don’t care) So we just had to bet on someone in first class not wanting their food; we ate it for them.”
What things would you recommend passengers don’t do?
“I personally would not drink the potable water from the aircraft. So the tea, coffee ... I would avoid. The water isn’t so bad but how often do you really think those tanks are cleaned?”
What is your best advice for someone who’s scared of turbulence?
“Try to get a seat assignment near the front of the aircraft. Turbulence is always going to be worst in the back of the aircraft. Remember being in grade school and sitting at the back of the bus?” She also suggests lavender oil to help relax.
Did you have people asking you for buddy passes?
“Yes, I have. People I went to school with who I don’t even really talk to. Luckily for me, I never advertised my career. I never posted my job on social media, or me in my uniforms. Unless you knew me personally, you would not know I was a flight attendant based on my social media presence.”
What was your scariest experience as a flight attendant?
“First time I landed in DCA (Washington DC), you go right over the river and very close to the buildings. I still see people flinch as we are landing in DCA.
“Also, seeing the captain call from the emergency phone. It blinks a red light in the cabin. My heart dropped. He called back and said it was an accident. Fat fingers.”
What’s next?
“I’ll be working at a university. I worked in higher education prior. I’m really excited. It’s a small office, with minimal foot traffic. I need a break from people and I’m so excited about working 9-5. I woke up at 4am too many mornings to work 5.30am flights.”
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Originally published as Why I quit my job as a flight attendant