So, just a quick review for anyone who didn't read the previous two posts.

✔✔We've applied online to become flight attendants

✔✔We’ve done our online interview

✔✔We’ve aced our in person interview

✔✔We’ve accepted our job training date

And now, WE’RE about to start training!

Training for all airlines differs. Most airlines require training for 1-2 months. It really depends on who you fly for and they’re particular criteria.

However this is the fundamentals of training:

-Training is usually 4-6 weeks (contingent on what airline you work for)

-Some airlines have paid training but not all. For example, American Airlines did not offer paid training, however free room and board was provided. Also, upon graduation a small stipend was given to new hires. Whereas, SkyWest Airlines provided living accommodations and a bi-weekly salary, food was not included.

-If accommodations are provided, usually it's a shared space with another trainee Flight Attendant.

-Training is VERY structured and hands on. Studying is definitely needed to be successful.

-You do not get to pick where you’re based. HOWEVER, most airlines will give you the option to list what bases you prefer to be at. The company ultimately picks where you will be based.

-FIND YOUR TRIBE! Find a group of like-minded classmates that can help each other along the way. This will help you get through training and not feel so alone.

Training is about retaining information and making logical decisions, and I truly believe that anyone who makes the conscious choice to have this lifestyle can attain it.

I’ve covered the main points about training. if there are any other pressing questions, please email me!

Alright now sis, we’ve graduated training and we’re about to start flying!

Right about now, you probably have a million and one questions circulating in your mind about what’s going to happen next.

Imma right..or was that just me upon graduation?!

Let’s slow our roll and summarize things, because this part of the lifestyle is different for EVERYONE!

Most people have this idea that right out of graduating Flight Attendant training, they’ll be traveling to Rome, Paris, Brazil and these far away exotic destinations…

And that they’ll be holding Christmas and New Years off for the next 10 years…

UGH, sis...that's hardly the case. I can't promise you the most exotic routes, the best behaved passengers, funniest crew members, or pilots that pay for everything right out of training or even months to come.

What I can promise you is future memories worth WAY more than anything you’ve ever imagined. I can tell you the excitement (and tiredness) you’ll have from the first international trip you get to work. I can tell you the wanderlust you’ll experience from taking loved ones around the world with your benefits. I can promise you the horror you’ll have, after dropping a drink on someone wearing khaki’s (haha, still happens to me). Basically what I’m trying to summarize is, this lifestyle can be CHALLENGING. But, the benefits of living it surpass all of the downfalls from that choice.

There’s literally a million things to touch on about life after training.

-Where to live?

-If you should commute?

-How to find an apartment in a big city?

-If you should bring your car to base?

-Are you able to sustain having a relationship or not?

-What’s a line?

-What’s it like being on reserve?

-Should you live in a crashpad ?

-How do I pick my schedule?

-Will I ever have holidays off?

I can go on and on...however all of these answers are personal ones dependent on your very own situation.

However, three of the main questions I’m always asked are:

1.How does your schedule work, and are you ever home?

It’s so hard to answer this question honestly because Flight Attendants schedules can be CRAZY! There are two different types of schedules.

A) A Line: When a FA is senior enough to make their own schedule and select trips they would like to fly.

B) A Reserve line: When an FA is junior within the company. Reserve FA’s do not get to pick the trips they want to fly. Instead they are called 2-3 hours ahead of time to work trips.

With this being said, reserve FA’s really don't have that much freedom. And unfortunately, everyone starts out on reserve. So, when I’m on reserve I’m usually home 8-10 days a month. Whereas when I have a line, I’m home 10-12 days a month. I’m home enough for my life. I don't have kids or a spouse so that leaves me with enough time to do other things (like not be home LOL). One of my old schedules is shown below…

(This is a typical “line” schedule. The “DFP”/blank spaces such as the 19th & 20th are my days off. Whereas all the other days such as the 12th & 13th, show that I’m flying a trip to MSY, which is New Orleans.)

2.Is the pay salary or hourly?

Pay is hourly. So this is a good and bad thing. Airlines may differ but for the most part are all the same.A benefit of being paid hourly is, you’re paid for exactly what you fly. So you’re able to make a lot and not bring home your work. Downside is, if your flight is delayed for weather, mechanical etc, your not paid hourly but only the per diem rate. I can explain more if needed (email me please).

3.Once training is complete did you have to physically move to where your based?

OK, once again this is hard to answer. I choice to move where I’m based. I’m from California and I’m based in Chicago. Some people commute (fly back and forth to work). But I strongly recommend you don’t. There’s a long list of reasons not to. Missing a flight, being late, sleeping in the airport, minimum, if any rest. Plus, living in your base city is honestly dope AF! Try it for a year, if you don’t like it, move back home.

I won't touch on everything about life after training because you personally have to experience it to understand. This lifestyle is a whirlwind! It’s fast, yet slow. Lonely, yet you’re surrounded by amazing and interesting people most of the time. It can be inspiring and also drive you crazy LOL. Most of all, it's worth it. Good luck sis!

Hope to see you in the SKY!