Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2313 times:
I've explored the fact of taking time of off school, and getting a job with a regional airline...im currently 17 and in college, anyways, was on a trip the other day and as I was deplaning a Mesa rj, The f/a and I were having a chat, she said that in her class there were three 18 year olds, this brings up the question... If mesa's minimum hiring age is 19, as our other airlines, is there still potential for 18 year old men and women of getting these jobs? I recently interviewed at Skywest, and was accpeted for a CS position...until they found out I was 17...lol, and that is for insurance issues...so what im wondering is, does the insurance issue affect inflight hiring ages as well?? I ask because Mesaba airlines hires their f/as at age 18 as well...many others are 19, some twenty, and a few 21...Any info would be greatly appriciated...!
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5613 posts, RR: 54 Reply 1, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2297 times:
I checked mesaba.com and the wbesite doesn't give very good information.
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 2, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2280 times:
mesaba.com says age requirement: 18 ...??
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Atrude777 From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 5613 posts, RR: 54 Reply 3, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 5 hours ago) and read 2279 times:
Quoting Flyboy80 (Reply 2): mesaba.com says age requirement: 18 ...??
Where? For F/A? I only see it for CSA and Ramps
Alex
Good things come to those who wait, better things come to those who go AFTER it!
Aa757first From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3338 posts, RR: 9 Reply 4, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 days 4 hours ago) and read 2248 times:
Didn't you start a thread like this just a few months ago?
Yes, Mesaba does hire at 18. I don't know why you are asking, since you saw the same information at Mesaba.com. Pinnacle hires at 18 too. There might be one other. Several other hire at 19.
If you are smart enough to go to college at 17, why would you want to go be a flight attendant, (no offense intended to current flight attendants)? I agree, some parts of the job are very attractive. But finish college first, especially with such an opportunity.
The general rule is if you take time off from college, you never go back. I think you should get your degree first.
Being a flight attendant is not a career anymore. You are not going to make more than about $35,000 a year, after eleven or twelve years of service.
Being a flight attendant is somewhat selfish. You will spend three and four days at a time away from home and you won't make much money to support your family.
Here is a good idea. Finish college and get your degree. Go apply at jetBlue, they love people right out of college. Fly for two or three years for them. The pay is OK, the bases are in exciting places (FLL, LGB and JFK) and you aren't flying to tiny little towns in Minnesota. You're flying to Puerto Rico, LA, Las Vegas, etc.
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 6, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 5 hours ago) and read 2119 times:
lol wow...don't kill me here! I just wanted some more defined answers, thanks for the information, Pinnacle hires at 18 as well?
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
AirplaneBoy From United States of America, joined May 2004, 542 posts, RR: 11 Reply 7, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 4 hours ago) and read 2082 times:
Flyboy80 -
Greetings! As an FA who is currently flying and still working on my undergrad, I would strongly suggest completing your Bachelor's prior to attempting to fly. Indeed, it is very possible and can be done, but your life will be MUCH easier- no worrying about having to study on your layovers and during all of your free time at home, etc. It will also make your personal life more enjoyable (friends, family, marriage/commited relationship, etc.).
Of course, there are some pros- but it all depends on the person and their perspective. What career can one have while they're still young that allows them to have such a flexible schedule, that allows them to travel and meet interesting people while working with great crews- all while going to school? It certainly is an exciting career for a college student and it definitely beats working at the local Pizza Hut (no offense intended on the fast food industry). I love flying and I know I will continue to fly for a long time after earning my Bachelor's, however- you're 17 and already in college. You're at such an advantage. I'm 22- although you'll be younger than I am when you receive your degree, should you decide to stick to a full time program. It also depends on your circumstances. If you start out flying, you'll be on reserve with minimal days off, which will almost be impossible to juggle with going to school. You'll have to wait to be able to hold a hard line (set schedule with many days off), which at most carriers, takes more than a year (10-15+ years at most majors, though many are not hiring).
I was already 21 when my opportunity to transfer from customer service to inflight presented itself- and it has been one of the best decisions I've made in my life. I love my company and am fortunate to have had the opportunity to already have a diverse airline background in two departments. I know I'll continue to fly for many years, but with my degree (once it's earned!), I'll have more flexibility within my company to pursue other opportunities that may arise- especially those that will require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree. Who knows though, for as much as I love flying, I just may end up doing this for as long as my company will allow me to.
If you decide to pursue an airline career, be wise in your hunt. When I applied with Frontier, I applied knowing that it would be my first and only airline. I did not want to "hop" from airline to airline, though there's nothing wrong with that. I'd rather invest my time with one comapny that I know is right for me. Do your homework and research everything you possibly can about the company. Make sure you can still see yourself there 10 or more years into the future, even if it may not be your initial intention. I wanted to make sure that I'd be able see myself at Frontier for the forseeable future, and after being halfway into my second year at the company, co-workers I meet for the first time still ask me if I was just hired-- I usually laugh and ask why, and I'm told that I still have the "new sparkling shine" that only an enthusiastic newbie could have.
Frontier Airlines is a great company to work for. The employees are awesome, and we are all like one large, extended family. If you're looking for places to start out in- try sending in an application to our HR department through our Web site. We have great benefits and excellent travel priviliges. Get your foot in the door and gain some seniority while on the ground and while completing your degree full time, and then consider transferring to inflight once you've earned your degree. However, only you know what's best for you and whether or not you will be able to handle flying and going to school simultaneously. One last word of advice- if you decide to fly prior to completing your degree, you have to be diligent about returning to school once you are off of reserve, or at the VERY LEAST, take as many online classes as you can handle while on reserve.
I'm an optimist with a realist's attitude- if you can imagine it, it can be done!
UAORD2000 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 264 posts, RR: 0 Reply 8, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2050 times:
Finish School!!!!!!! I promise you will never go back if you start flying now. I was hired at 18 with United mainline and when they realized, they made me wait until 19 to start training. I'm pretty sure United is going to hire 19 year olds again when we open the training center in January. I have been attending school in Chicago to obtain my undergrad since I began flying in 2000 and I'm STILL about a year from finishing. Whatever you decide...good luck!!!
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 9, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2047 times:
This is the way I look at it, its a personal thing from person to person, some people have commitment/ planning issues, but nonetheless I'm not worried about it. The last thing I want to do is be a regional F/A for more than a year!!! I would like to fly around to (yes small towns in Minnesota so be it) and just enjoy working in the airlines, and having exciting travel bennies to take me to the fun exciting places every so often...simply as a pat on the back to my self for finishing school early, and starting college early... Believe me, I can't imagine a job like working in flight for mesa would be great career choice depending on the specific person. In this case, me. I wouldn't mind working in a job field like this as a temporary thing however. Thanks for the continued shared opinions and advice, I find it very worthwhile; continuing on, does anyone have any additional information to minimum hiring ages, exceptions, pointers towards certain carriers, Im completely ruling out mainline carriers if you haven't noticed! However maybe I would have a crack with them as well, never know. Thanks guys!
bri
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Swabur From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 100 posts, RR: 0 Reply 10, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days 2 hours ago) and read 2026 times:
If your trying to get hired on, wait till your 20 and then get on with Southwest. Great job and great people.
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 11, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 1991 times:
i've heard that from so many F/As, saying that they talk to southwest crews and are sometimes jelous of how much they love their jobs..Its just southwest doesn't remind me of the airline culture I love..they are something...differen't, lol, just my personal opinion! But I do like WN don't get me wrong!
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
VHXLR8 From Australia, joined Feb 2005, 500 posts, RR: 3 Reply 12, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 16 hours ago) and read 1944 times:
Quoting Aa757first (Reply 4): If you are smart enough to go to college at 17, why would you want to go be a flight attendant, (no offense intended to current flight attendants)
I love when people say "no offence"; it's almost as if they're trying to give an excuse for blatantly insulting people. I have 2 university degrees and I am a flight attendant, why? Because I want to be.
Can it dude
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 13, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1907 times:
thanks VHXLR8, I couldn't agree more...Some people are just simply rude! I checked pinnacle's website, and it does indeed say 18. If they can hire at 18, I would suspect a company like Mesa, Air Wis, etc would as well, but on an exceptionary basis. Being from Eugene, Oregon...My first choice of companies would definately be QX (I think working on their Dash's would be super exciting) or OO..which has a height requirement because of the 120...and being the tall stud that I am (6'0") lol I don't think they will let me evacuate a EMB with my neck bent! What about Republic Group, do they ever make acceptions? Also, another question. What about a charter company guys? Allegiant, (hell no on champion) TMA (lol, what is this a movie made up airline?) Miami air, Sun Country...etc? It seems to me I wouldn't have the non-rev bennies that I would enjoy even if only working for a regional (where you get same amount of bennies as everyone else) Then again I've never inquired on this very much so who knows....Thanks for any info again!
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Av8trxx From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 657 posts, RR: 7 Reply 14, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1891 times:
Quoting Flyboy80 (Reply 11): i've heard that from so many F/As, saying that they talk to southwest crews and are sometimes jelous of how much they love their jobs..Its just southwest doesn't remind me of the airline culture I love...they are something...differen't, lol, just my personal opinion! But I do like WN don't get me wrong!
If you are going to do it, go for more than just the airline culture that you think you will love. Take a good look at benefits and pay too. Pay at the regionals is notoriously low. A 2001 news article stated "After 10 years of dedicated work, a Mesaba flight attendant pay tops out at $22,500 per year". That's after 10 years! Starting pay is often closer to $15K/yr.
SWA benefits are going to be better than pretty much anywhere else. They give employees free medical & dental and no charge flight benefits & buddy passes. They also offer 401K match (like most airlines) but after a vesting period you get a dollar for dollar match. You also get profitsharing and that is often worth several thousand dollars annually. When you are on new hire pay, those extra benefits can make a big differance. At my present airline medical coverage is about $100/mo and when I was at SWA it was free. Having worked for two different carriers, and having friends at 4 others, I can honestly say they do have a great benefits package compared to other airlines. On average I have $150-$200/month deducted from my pay for stuff I used to get free a SWA. That adds up to a lot when you don't make much!
http://www.aviationinterviews.com has an information section for F/As. Check it out to see who else is hiring and what the interviews are like.
A good book with tips on F/A interviews is "Welcome Aboard: Your Career as a Flight Attendant" by Becky S. Bock. It can be ordered for $15 via Amazon.com or CageConsulting.com. A review can be found here-
This site is a business that offers F/A career counseling, interview prep and lots of VHS/DVD & other study aids to help in the job search, materials that illustrate what to expect in training and what the FAA requires F/As to know. (Much like Kit Darbys "Air Inc" does for aspiring airline pilots)
Aa757first From United States of America, joined Aug 2003, 3338 posts, RR: 9 Reply 15, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1903 times:
Quoting VHXLR8 (Reply 12):
I love when people say "no offence"; it's almost as if they're trying to give an excuse for blatantly insulting people. I have 2 university degrees and I am a flight attendant, why? Because I want to be.
Can it dude
What I mean is that someone gifted enough to finish high school two years early should not quit/delay college to fly as a flight attendant at a regional for poor pay and seeing crappy cities. If he waits until he is done college, he can fly for jetBlue or USA 3000 for two or three times more pay and flying to places like Bermuda, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Aruba, etc.
And, from what I understand, flight attendant jobs in Australia are more stable. For the most part, there are what, two airlines? Here it is very unstable.
Quoting Flyboy80 (Reply 13): If they can hire at 18, I would suspect a company like Mesa, Air Wis, etc would as well, but on an exceptionary basis.
Why would they make an exception? Rules are rules and there are often reasons those rules are developed. It is most likely for insurance reasons. They usually have around fifteen applicants per space. They are not going to make an exception when they have fourteen people that meet all of the requirements.
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 16, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1875 times:
Andrew...Im sorry, but I feel that possibly because of circumstances out of your control, possibly your conception date, you have a poor perception on the world and the differences of opinions that people posses. Personally I think that the regional industry isn't very beneficial on a financial standpoint, obviously the only thing your worried about, however I would be very excited to work in it as a F/A. Keep your posts sticking to business, negative no it all comments won't get you very far, I do however appreciate your knowledge and contribution on that standpoint in this post, thank you.
bri/EUG
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
WN2CMH From United States of America, joined Sep 2005, 43 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 23 hours ago) and read 1807 times:
Quoting Aa757first (Reply 4): If you are smart enough to go to college at 17, why would you want to go be a flight attendant, (no offense intended to current flight attendants)? I agree, some parts of the job are very attractive. But finish college first, especially with such an opportunity.
Quoting Aa757first (Reply 4): The general rule is if you take time off from college, you never go back. I think you should get your degree first.
Please allow me to add my $0.02. Taking time off of college was the best thing I ever did. After starting college at 17, I was tired of the classes and falling behind in my work.
I took a few years off and traveled the world (working on cruise ships) and finally realized what it was that I wanted to do. Now I am back and fully refreshed.
If you do have the opportunity to travel go ahead and take it!
Flyboy80 From United States of America, joined Jul 2001, 1856 posts, RR: 3 Reply 19, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 11 hours ago) and read 1745 times:
Thanks guys! That just backs up my point! Im not stupid, I know stereotypically people will take time off of school, and then may never to pursue it once again. However, I know myself, and I believe otherwise! I would love taking a year and just hoping around to a lot of little and big places. Remember, some of the most exciting places are very very small! And I non-rev around on RJs all the time, And if anything, I really enjoy the RJ atmosphere and would love doing five flights a day on them to here and there, kicking back at a nice hotel and chilling out. Out of all the regionals out there, in terms of the flying, which one would you label the best? For exploring the U.S. I would think Mesa. I know they just started sending their crews cross country (working Multiple flights, over different flight ranges)
my views expressed here are my own, and do not represent any company or organization
Pualani From United States of America, joined May 2004, 300 posts, RR: 6 Reply 20, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 5 hours ago) and read 1693 times:
Its too bad we (HA) are'nt hiring because we do hire 18 yr olds right outta high school. There was a least 2 or 3 of them in my initial training class many years ago.
I am also all for you taking a few years off to fly and have some fun but I would try to get hired by an airline that would pay you a decent wage.
On a sidenote, I fly regularly with co-workers who have their Master's and Bachelor's degrees. Its hard to find a job that pays as well this one does and gives you a lot of time off.
Wnfan333 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week 3 hours ago) and read 1669 times:
There is nothing wrong with being a F/A....I am currently in school to become a pilot. I have my commercial license and I was just hired on with Southwest as a F/A.I am going to class in about two months and I cant wait........Even pilots are not beyond everything......Lol
ACYWG From Canada, joined Feb 2005, 265 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (7 years 8 months 1 week ago) and read 1647 times:
Perhaps this is a little off topic, but I'm a canadian And Am trying to get into flight attending, but alas in Canada at this point, there's not much hiring going on. However looking south of the border, there seems to be a goodly amount going on at the regionals. What do you think the possibility is of any airline in the US going through the work of getting a work visa for a Canadian Citizen to work as an FA on an American Carrier?
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