The Layover Blog | The Layover

Check out the blog for more: https://theelayover.substack.com/subscribe

before you apply to become a flight attendant read this

Imagine seeing a pair of shoes you really like. You might immediately imagine yourself wearing them with certain outfits or walking into an event and standing out so beautifully. Maybe you get so excited you buy the shoes right then, only to get home and realize they aren’t that comfortable. Because you loved the shoes so much and what they do for your look, you might give them a chance and wear them anyway. Next thing you know you have a blister or a corn and you have to accept the fact that although you loved the shoes when you first saw them, when the rubber hits the road, they simply don’t fit your feet.

The same thing happens sometimes in the work world, and especially with flight attending. We take a job as a flight attendant with all the benefits in mind —the travel, the independence, the pay— and ignore ourselves.

You, in fact, are a big part of this equation. Your personality, skills, values, life situation and goals will determine if you can actually be as satisfied as a flight attendant as you dream to be. People spend a lot of time doing a research to win the application and interview process, but equally or more important, is assessing the role and company to see if they are a good fit for you. What are you made of and is the day to day life of flight attending a good fit for that?

You may have to miss important events, suffer from an irregular sleep schedule, or ignore your desire to get a dog. As with all costs and benefits, whether it all adds up or seems worth it will be up to you.

In work, fit is important because it relates to job satisfaction. A job that allows you to use your strengths and perform skills you actually like will probably be enjoyable for you. Whereas, a job that rubs against your weaknesses, or requires you to perform skills you don’t actually enjoy, regardless of how glamourous it seems, probably won’t. It’s up to you to know what those strengths and skills are.

Job satisfaction is important because how much or little you have can be a deciding factor in whether you like your life. Take this short quiz to get your satisfaction score for flight attending.

A Short Quiz

I keep a very strict eating or sleeping schedule to feel well (a=3,b=2,c=1)
very true for me b. sometimes true c. I do those things when I can
I get along with a variety of people
very true for me b. sometimes true c. I get along with a very specific kind of person
I like things a certain way and get upset when they’re not that way (a=3, b=2,c=1)
very true for me b. sometimes true c. I’m pretty flexible
I can say things that need to be said even when someone may get mad at me (a=1, b=2,c=3)
very true for me b. sometimes true c. I avoid upsetting people
It’s easy to get upset but difficult to calm down (a=3, b=2, c=1)
very true for me b. sometimes true c. I calm down pretty quickly

Scoring

5-7 Flight attending may be a great fit for you

8-9 Flight attendant may be a good fit but there may be a better option for you

10-15 Flight attending may not be a good fit for you