Applying for an Airline Job

Seggy · November 28th, 2004, 10:24

I would like to apply for a job as a flight attendant at Jetblue and Southwest. An instructor at my flight school was a flight attendant for Continental to supplement his income before he was hired at ExpressJet and he absolutely loved it. The main reason I would like to apply for one of these positions is networking and of course the little extra dough while on a CFI salary would help. Anyone have any tips for apply at these companies or airlines in general? Any key words that should be included on the application to make it stand out from the rest? Should I wait till after the holiday travel season to put in my application? Also, would a regional like ExpressJet have any height restrictions on their flight attendant hires?

jtrain609 · November 28th, 2004, 10:32

Can you fit down the isle of an airplane bro? You're like...three of me and you could snap me in two in a heartbeat!

Seggy · November 28th, 2004, 10:35

[ QUOTE ]
Can you fit down the isle of an airplane bro? You're like...three of me and you could snap me in two in a heartbeat!

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep, I can fit down the aisle of the airplane. It can be tight though in an ERJ and I do end up banging my head here and there.

MQAAord · November 28th, 2004, 13:09

Some airlines have height restrictions, it should say on their websites what those would be.

Examples:

At AA we had no specific height 'number', but at the interview we had to get a fire extingusher out of an overhead without standing on tiptoes. (But we were allowed to keep shoes on). I knew this little tidbit about the shoes, and I wore 2 1/2" heels to my interview for just such reason.

At Eagle we had to be at least 5'0", but no taller than 5'10". We were measured (and weighed!) at the interview. (No more weight checks during interviews nowdays though

)

At NWA the requirement was a minimum of 5'2". Since I was close I was measured, and according to their 'measurement' I came up 1/2" too short (they had a post-it note stuck on a wall that was supposedly at the 5'2" mark). I was sent home from the interview with a polite 'thanksforcomingnowgohomeloser'.

JaceTheAce · November 28th, 2004, 13:43

My neighbor was a flight attendant for TWA for many years,then got hired as a flight engineer...then to the right seat. (Sad thing was when AA took over TWA he got furloughed within a few months). I think being an FA would bring you a lot of opportunities to network and indeed help land you a job with an airline.

Seggy · November 28th, 2004, 13:52

[ QUOTE ]
Some airlines have height restrictions, it should say on their websites what those would be.

Examples:

At AA we had no specific height 'number', but at the interview we had to get a fire extingusher out of an overhead without standing on tiptoes. (But we were allowed to keep shoes on). I knew this little tidbit about the shoes, and I wore 2 1/2" heels to my interview for just such reason.

At Eagle we had to be at least 5'0", but no taller than 5'10". We were measured (and weighed!) at the interview. (No more weight checks during interviews nowdays though

)

At NWA the requirement was a minimum of 5'2". Since I was close I was measured, and according to their 'measurement' I came up 1/2" too short (they had a post-it note stuck on a wall that was supposedly at the 5'2" mark). I was sent home from the interview with a polite 'thanksforcomingnowgohomeloser'.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yep I did notice on the websites of some airlines with the height and weight restrictions. I didn't see any restrictions on Jetblue, Southwest or on ExpressJets (I did see one on Airtrans can't be taller than 6'2). I filled out a form on the ExpressJet website as they were collecting profiles for Flight Attendant hirings, so I figured what the heck I might as well fill one out. One of the questions concerned height and it said you had to be between 5'0 and 5'9 so I answered that accordingly. My 'ideal' goal would be Southwest or Jetblue.

MQAAord · November 28th, 2004, 13:54

Forgot to mention that over the years I've met many pilots biding their time as F/As until they could get the hours to interview as a pilot.

Had things continued on course for me (pre 9/11) that probably would have been my situation too! Especially if you're applying for a pilot position within the same corporation you already work for. As an AA or Eagle F/A, to apply to Eagle as a pilot would be considered a 'company transfer', just like my move from Eagle to AA was. You have to interview just like anyone else, but it makes getting that interview a whole lot easier!

Good luck!

Maximillian_Jenius · November 28th, 2004, 17:09

How would you be able to either CFI or be an F/A all at the sametime? If hired to an airline as a F/A you'd be junior and on reserve for untold months maybe even longer.
That'd make it really hard to give flight instruction if you were on reserve with your respective airline?

Matthew

WIPilot · November 28th, 2004, 18:15

[ QUOTE ]
How would you be able to either CFI or be an F/A all at the sametime? If hired to an airline as a F/A you'd be junior and on reserve for untold months maybe even longer.
That'd make it really hard to give flight instruction if you were on reserve with your respective airline?

Matthew

[/ QUOTE ]

That was kinda my thought too..but I guess if you need the cash and experience bad you could work it out potentialy...it wouldnt be easy though.

Doug Taylor · November 28th, 2004, 18:28

I do in fact know a FA that instructed and eventually got hired by a regional and then later a major.

Doug Taylor · November 28th, 2004, 18:28

Uh, as a pilot! Forgot to add that in.

Maximillian_Jenius · November 28th, 2004, 18:37

So then your saying that it is a possiblity....would it be difficult?

Matthew

Doug Taylor · November 28th, 2004, 18:39

I don't know. Maybe?

Maximillian_Jenius · November 28th, 2004, 18:43

Maybe indeed but my first thought...QOL!!!!

Matthew

Doug Taylor · November 28th, 2004, 18:44

Definetely maybe?

MQAAord · November 28th, 2004, 22:05

Even on reserve you still have set days off. It would certainly not be easy, but it is do-able.

Depends too on how long you sit reserve, if you do a month-on-month-off thing like we did at AA or if it's solid reserve until you hold a line like it was at Eagle.

kellwolf · November 28th, 2004, 22:47

[ QUOTE ]
An instructor at my flight school was a flight attendant for Continental to supplement his income before he was hired at ExpressJet and he absolutely loved it

[/ QUOTE ]

Name? How long ago was he hired at XJT? There was a CFI in my orientation class (they lumped the pilots and the peons together for that) who was a F/A at mainline for a while.

I've heard of F/As building hours and getting on as pilots, but I've heard even more stories from people that tried that. They didn't have enough time or it took YEARS to get the hours they needed. It would probably work well if you didn't commute and had the days off to do it.

Seggy · November 28th, 2004, 23:27

Thanks all for the replies.

The points brought up I was considering for a few weeks as I thought about this and I have talked to the instructor who was just hired at XJT who worked as a FA.

What it comes down to is that in order to reach my ultimate goal I have to fly my A$$ off. My ultimate career will not be a flight attendant and the networking opportunities that could be afforded to me working as an FA I can easily make up for in other ways. I need to finish my IFR, Commercial, and CFII so I can get start getting paid to fly. I hope to accomplish this by March or April and be able to have a CFII job for next summer when the flight school is REALLY busy.

I am fortunate enough to have a great part time job at Marriott that will be able to supplement my flying and CFIIing when it comes to that.

Thanks all for the replies.

Steve check you PM

mtsu_av8er · November 29th, 2004, 00:03

Hey, Mark...do it, man!!

WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!! Sometimes you have to sell your soul to The Devil! Working as a FA isnt near that bad! Do what you've gotta do, and get your #####.

Hey, some people have parents that buy their training for them. Some people have wives and girlfriends that help them pay for flight training. I'm sure some folks sell cocaine and ice to get where they are.

My point : Sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do.

I'm many miles away from home, in a part of the country I hate, near a group of folks that hate my "kind"...but I'm flying.

Take that for what it's worth...

Doug Taylor · November 29th, 2004, 00:04

[ QUOTE ]
Hey, Mark...do it, man!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Maximillian_Jenius · November 29th, 2004, 00:08

[ QUOTE ]
I'm sure some folks sell cocaine and ice to get where they are.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey man where can I get some good blow? Llyod you tryin to tell us something man....???

Matthew

Doug Taylor · November 29th, 2004, 00:10

Dang, there's always a Phoenix connection to stuff like this.

Maximillian_Jenius · November 29th, 2004, 00:22

Naaaaaaw were the crystal meth and Exstacy captial of the world here in PHX....

Matthew

mtsu_av8er · November 29th, 2004, 00:54

Man, I'm just passin the word!!!

Doug Taylor · November 29th, 2004, 01:07

Oh Lloyd, the innocent Marine from Oakland story SO doesn't work!

November 28th, 2004, 10:24	#1
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere in the Northeast Posts: 4,940	Applying for an Airline Job I would like to apply for a job as a flight attendant at Jetblue and Southwest. An instructor at my flight school was a flight attendant for Continental to supplement his income before he was hired at ExpressJet and he absolutely loved it. The main reason I would like to apply for one of these positions is networking and of course the little extra dough while on a CFI salary would help. Anyone have any tips for apply at these companies or airlines in general? Any key words that should be included on the application to make it stand out from the rest? Should I wait till after the holiday travel season to put in my application? Also, would a regional like ExpressJet have any height restrictions on their flight attendant hires?

November 28th, 2004, 10:32	#2
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Park City, UT Posts: 12,093	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Can you fit down the isle of an airplane bro? You're like...three of me and you could snap me in two in a heartbeat!

November 28th, 2004, 10:35	#3
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere in the Northeast Posts: 4,940	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] Can you fit down the isle of an airplane bro? You're like...three of me and you could snap me in two in a heartbeat! [/ QUOTE ] Yep, I can fit down the aisle of the airplane. It can be tight though in an ERJ and I do end up banging my head here and there.

November 28th, 2004, 13:09	#4
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,791	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Some airlines have height restrictions, it should say on their websites what those would be. Examples: At AA we had no specific height 'number', but at the interview we had to get a fire extingusher out of an overhead without standing on tiptoes. (But we were allowed to keep shoes on). I knew this little tidbit about the shoes, and I wore 2 1/2" heels to my interview for just such reason. At Eagle we had to be at least 5'0", but no taller than 5'10". We were measured (and weighed!) at the interview. (No more weight checks during interviews nowdays though ) At NWA the requirement was a minimum of 5'2". Since I was close I was measured, and according to their 'measurement' I came up 1/2" too short (they had a post-it note stuck on a wall that was supposedly at the 5'2" mark). I was sent home from the interview with a polite 'thanksforcomingnowgohomeloser'.

November 28th, 2004, 13:43	#5
JaceTheAce Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 7,278	Re: Applying for an Airline Job My neighbor was a flight attendant for TWA for many years,then got hired as a flight engineer...then to the right seat. (Sad thing was when AA took over TWA he got furloughed within a few months). I think being an FA would bring you a lot of opportunities to network and indeed help land you a job with an airline.

November 28th, 2004, 13:52	#6
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere in the Northeast Posts: 4,940	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] Some airlines have height restrictions, it should say on their websites what those would be. Examples: At AA we had no specific height 'number', but at the interview we had to get a fire extingusher out of an overhead without standing on tiptoes. (But we were allowed to keep shoes on). I knew this little tidbit about the shoes, and I wore 2 1/2" heels to my interview for just such reason. At Eagle we had to be at least 5'0", but no taller than 5'10". We were measured (and weighed!) at the interview. (No more weight checks during interviews nowdays though ) At NWA the requirement was a minimum of 5'2". Since I was close I was measured, and according to their 'measurement' I came up 1/2" too short (they had a post-it note stuck on a wall that was supposedly at the 5'2" mark). I was sent home from the interview with a polite 'thanksforcomingnowgohomeloser'. [/ QUOTE ] Yep I did notice on the websites of some airlines with the height and weight restrictions. I didn't see any restrictions on Jetblue, Southwest or on ExpressJets (I did see one on Airtrans can't be taller than 6'2). I filled out a form on the ExpressJet website as they were collecting profiles for Flight Attendant hirings, so I figured what the heck I might as well fill one out. One of the questions concerned height and it said you had to be between 5'0 and 5'9 so I answered that accordingly. My 'ideal' goal would be Southwest or Jetblue.

November 28th, 2004, 13:54	#7
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,791	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Forgot to mention that over the years I've met many pilots biding their time as F/As until they could get the hours to interview as a pilot. Had things continued on course for me (pre 9/11) that probably would have been my situation too! Especially if you're applying for a pilot position within the same corporation you already work for. As an AA or Eagle F/A, to apply to Eagle as a pilot would be considered a 'company transfer', just like my move from Eagle to AA was. You have to interview just like anyone else, but it makes getting that interview a whole lot easier! Good luck!

November 28th, 2004, 17:09	#8
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,659	Re: Applying for an Airline Job How would you be able to either CFI or be an F/A all at the sametime? If hired to an airline as a F/A you'd be junior and on reserve for untold months maybe even longer. That'd make it really hard to give flight instruction if you were on reserve with your respective airline? Matthew

November 28th, 2004, 18:15	#9
WIPilot Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: DTW Posts: 115	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] How would you be able to either CFI or be an F/A all at the sametime? If hired to an airline as a F/A you'd be junior and on reserve for untold months maybe even longer. That'd make it really hard to give flight instruction if you were on reserve with your respective airline? Matthew [/ QUOTE ] That was kinda my thought too..but I guess if you need the cash and experience bad you could work it out potentialy...it wouldnt be easy though.

November 28th, 2004, 18:28	#10
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job I do in fact know a FA that instructed and eventually got hired by a regional and then later a major.

November 28th, 2004, 18:28	#11
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Uh, as a pilot! Forgot to add that in.

November 28th, 2004, 18:37	#12
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,659	Re: Applying for an Airline Job So then your saying that it is a possiblity....would it be difficult? Matthew

November 28th, 2004, 18:39	#13
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job I don't know. Maybe?

November 28th, 2004, 18:43	#14
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,659	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Maybe indeed but my first thought...QOL!!!! Matthew

November 28th, 2004, 18:44	#15
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Definetely maybe?

November 28th, 2004, 22:05	#16
MQAAord Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: The Looney Bin Posts: 8,791	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Even on reserve you still have set days off. It would certainly not be easy, but it is do-able. Depends too on how long you sit reserve, if you do a month-on-month-off thing like we did at AA or if it's solid reserve until you hold a line like it was at Eagle.

November 28th, 2004, 22:47	#17
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 13,208	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] An instructor at my flight school was a flight attendant for Continental to supplement his income before he was hired at ExpressJet and he absolutely loved it [/ QUOTE ] Name? How long ago was he hired at XJT? There was a CFI in my orientation class (they lumped the pilots and the peons together for that) who was a F/A at mainline for a while. I've heard of F/As building hours and getting on as pilots, but I've heard even more stories from people that tried that. They didn't have enough time or it took YEARS to get the hours they needed. It would probably work well if you didn't commute and had the days off to do it.

November 28th, 2004, 23:27	#18
Seggy Old Skool Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Somewhere in the Northeast Posts: 4,940	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Thanks all for the replies. The points brought up I was considering for a few weeks as I thought about this and I have talked to the instructor who was just hired at XJT who worked as a FA. What it comes down to is that in order to reach my ultimate goal I have to fly my A$$ off. My ultimate career will not be a flight attendant and the networking opportunities that could be afforded to me working as an FA I can easily make up for in other ways. I need to finish my IFR, Commercial, and CFII so I can get start getting paid to fly. I hope to accomplish this by March or April and be able to have a CFII job for next summer when the flight school is REALLY busy. I am fortunate enough to have a great part time job at Marriott that will be able to supplement my flying and CFIIing when it comes to that. Thanks all for the replies. Steve check you PM

November 29th, 2004, 00:03	#19
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,403	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Hey, Mark...do it, man!! WHATEVER IT TAKES!!!! Sometimes you have to sell your soul to The Devil! Working as a FA isnt near that bad! Do what you've gotta do, and get your #####. Hey, some people have parents that buy their training for them. Some people have wives and girlfriends that help them pay for flight training. I'm sure some folks sell cocaine and ice to get where they are. My point : Sometimes you gotta do whatcha gotta do. I'm many miles away from home, in a part of the country I hate, near a group of folks that hate my "kind"...but I'm flying. Take that for what it's worth...

November 29th, 2004, 00:04	#20
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] Hey, Mark...do it, man!! [/ QUOTE ]

November 29th, 2004, 00:08	#21
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,659	Re: Applying for an Airline Job [ QUOTE ] I'm sure some folks sell cocaine and ice to get where they are. [/ QUOTE ] Hey man where can I get some good blow? Llyod you tryin to tell us something man....??? Matthew

November 29th, 2004, 00:10	#22
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Dang, there's always a Phoenix connection to stuff like this.

November 29th, 2004, 00:22	#23
Maximillian_Jenius Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: KPHX, KFFZ, KIWA Posts: 18,659	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Naaaaaaw were the crystal meth and Exstacy captial of the world here in PHX.... Matthew

November 29th, 2004, 00:54	#24
mtsu_av8er Old Skool Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Utopia Posts: 12,403	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Man, I'm just passin the word!!!

November 29th, 2004, 01:07	#25
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,749 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Applying for an Airline Job Oh Lloyd, the innocent Marine from Oakland story SO doesn't work!

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