I've been a flight attendant for 7 years. Here are some of the best and worst parts of the job.
Seven years ago, I became a flight attendant based on the results of a personality test I took.
There are perks that come with the career, like traveling to my dream destinations at no cost.
But downsides of the job include having to deal with jet lag and managing difficult passengers.
Seven years ago, I took a personality test that told me to be a flight attendant, and it's one of the best things that's ever happened to me. But the job isn't all glitz and glamour.
Here are some of the best and worst things about being a flight attendant.
I get to choose who I work with, which makes my job easier
Being able to choose who I work with — or don't work with — is a nice luxury. When building my schedule, I'm able to add the employee IDs of my favorite coworkers to help ensure a good shift.
The most exhilarating perk of being a flight attendant is traveling to dream destinations alongside my coworkers. We love our shifts together and get to enjoy our layovers to the fullest.
I'm able to make my own schedule
At my airline, we work a maximum of 14 days a month and still make a full-time salary. The process is simple — we bid for our schedule on an online system and choose our desired location, hours, and days we'd like to work.
This makes it easier for me to live life on my terms.
I get a taste of luxury at work
After work, private cars pick us up from the airport and drop us off at luxury hotels. The airline I work for prioritizes the comfort of its crew, so staying in four- or five-star hotels has become the norm for me.
Although I spend all day serving drinks, having these experiences makes me feel like an A-lister. It's quite a paradox.
I get fully expensed trips to my dream destinations
There's something so grand about traveling to a new country at no cost. I get to go almost anywhere in the world and get paid to do so.
I've noticed that many crew members avoid retiring early simply because they love this part of the job — and I don't blame them.
On the other hand, I regularly have to adjust to different time zones
One of the most irritating things I've encountered over the past seven years is adjusting to time changes and dealing with jet lag.
I try to avoid flying overseas too much because I end up at least five hours ahead or behind my regular sleep schedule, and it can take my body days to readjust.
My friends and family have speculated that I have the "remedy" for jet lag. But the truth is that as a flight attendant, I never get over it — I just learn to live with it.
People are always asking me for flight discounts
People I barely know reach out to me expecting flight discounts, and it's extremely awkward.
Most airlines have different rules about sharing discount codes. Additionally, "buddy passes" — non-revenue, standby tickets — have yearly limits.
I tend to keep my discounts for my valued friends and family, but unfortunately, I still manage to get bombarded year-round. It's become part of the reality of the job.
As a flight attendant, I often have to deal with upset passengers
Handling angry customers is one of the worst parts of my job.
I understand that there are travel frustrations, and the people in uniform are often the easiest ones to take them out on. It's not a pleasant task, but over the last seven years, I've grown a pretty thick skin.
Read the original article on Insider
