Day and Life of a Commuter
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Let’s take a look at what it’s really like to be a flight attendant. Many people don’t realize the unique lifestyle and challenges that come with the job. As a flight attendant myself, I can give you some insight, especially since I’m a commuter—meaning I don’t live near my assigned base and have to fly in when it’s time for work.
At the airline I work for, it’s not required to live at your base, but that’s not the case everywhere. Some major airlines around the world require their flight attendants to live near the base or even in dormitories on company property. But as a commuter, my monthly schedule is set in advance, usually released mid-month for the following month. So, I typically know my work schedule at least two weeks ahead of time.
What’s nice about my airline is that I have some flexibility in adjusting my schedule—both the days I work and the destinations I fly to. However, regardless of my schedule, I’m responsible for being at or within two hours of my base during certain times. Because I live in a different time zone from my base, I need to plan how to get there.
For me, this usually means flying in the night before a shift, though sometimes I can make it in the same day if everything aligns. Some flight attendants use crash-pads near the airport, which are shared accommodations rented out for commuting crew members. I prefer staying at a local hotel where I’ve become a regular, though others have different setups. It’s important to note that where you stay is completely up to you.
Each time I’m scheduled to work, I book standby travel to get to base. Standby travel is exactly what it sounds like—I book a seat if there’s space available. I have to check the airline’s system to see the passenger load for the day, which includes the number of paying passengers and other people on standby. These flights aren’t guaranteed, so I have to keep an eye on the loads a day in advance to increase my chances of securing a seat. Missing a flight could result in penalties.
When I fly in the night before, I usually head straight to the hotel to rest. After my trip, depending on the timing, I either fly back home or stay another night in town. Again, I have to check the loads and see if a flight is available. If my trip ends too late, I’ll stay in a hotel again. If not, I’ll fly home, where I get to spend some time with my amazing wife—and maybe annoy her a little—before heading back to do it all over again.
At the airline I work for, it’s not required to live at your base, but that’s not the case everywhere. Some major airlines around the world require their flight attendants to live near the base or even in dormitories on company property. But as a commuter, my monthly schedule is set in advance, usually released mid-month for the following month. So, I typically know my work schedule at least two weeks ahead of time.
What’s nice about my airline is that I have some flexibility in adjusting my schedule—both the days I work and the destinations I fly to. However, regardless of my schedule, I’m responsible for being at or within two hours of my base during certain times. Because I live in a different time zone from my base, I need to plan how to get there.
For me, this usually means flying in the night before a shift, though sometimes I can make it in the same day if everything aligns. Some flight attendants use crash-pads near the airport, which are shared accommodations rented out for commuting crew members. I prefer staying at a local hotel where I’ve become a regular, though others have different setups. It’s important to note that where you stay is completely up to you.
Each time I’m scheduled to work, I book standby travel to get to base. Standby travel is exactly what it sounds like—I book a seat if there’s space available. I have to check the airline’s system to see the passenger load for the day, which includes the number of paying passengers and other people on standby. These flights aren’t guaranteed, so I have to keep an eye on the loads a day in advance to increase my chances of securing a seat. Missing a flight could result in penalties.
When I fly in the night before, I usually head straight to the hotel to rest. After my trip, depending on the timing, I either fly back home or stay another night in town. Again, I have to check the loads and see if a flight is available. If my trip ends too late, I’ll stay in a hotel again. If not, I’ll fly home, where I get to spend some time with my amazing wife—and maybe annoy her a little—before heading back to do it all over again.