3 Common Myths About Flight Attendants

For many people, flight attendants are seen as those who bring you beverages and snacks while you travel 35,000 feet in the air. They are able to defy the captain’s orders by walking around freely even with the fasten seat belt light on. They even seem utterly unbothered by turbulence that makes everyone else’s teeth chatter. As a result, many people have misconceptions about who flight attendants are, and what their lives are like.

Myth 1: Being a flight attendant is boring.

Because many people only interact with a flight attendant for the time it takes them to do the safety demonstration and get their refreshments, their perspective on the job can be skewed. In fact, flight attendants enjoy all sorts of perks that make their job one of the most fun and rewarding occupations. Most airlines give flight attendants free stand-by flights. This means that a flight attendant can go almost anywhere on a whim. In addition, many flight attendants receive great personal satisfaction from helping people travel to see friends and loved ones.

Myth 2. Being a flight attendant isn’t for people with an education.

Because of its flexibility and good pay, many people find that being a flight attendant is a great career while they’re working on finishing a degree. Many people earned a degree by following something they love, but had little opportunity for jobs. Being a flight attendant offers the opportunity to use these educational skills, while traveling the world.

Myth 3. You need a specific type of personality to become a flight attendant.

Of course, the flight attendant most people think of is eternally sunny, bubbly, and outgoing. But many different types of personalities work equally well with this job. All that’s required is courtesy, kindness, and an ability to act and think quickly, no matter how outgoing or shy the person may be.