When I was growing up, I had high career aspirations — literally. I wanted nothing more than to be a flight attendant. With my dad being a pilot, flying was always highly exalted around our house and I found that, like him, I was happiest in the air. I don’t know why I never considered being a pilot … something in the child version of myself would rather pour drinks in the air than be at the helm. And all these years later, I still get a hankering for a career change as the excitement of take-off gets the best of me. Not to mention the lure of free flights.
Most people think that being a flight attendant is the cushiest job in the world, but I beg to differ. I have several friends who work for Westjet, and while they like the travel perks and flexibility of the job, their jobs aren’t all sunshine and roses — for one, they have to clean the plane after every flight and I’ll spare you the details but let’s just say it’s not pretty. They also spend countless hours in safety training and are tested every year — with the promise of dismissal if they fail. Sounds harsh, but it sure makes me feel safe. Then there’s the lack of a normal schedule, the chance of working every holiday — it’s definitely a trade-off.
Still interested? Here’s an insider’s look into the job from Fly Away Cafe.