Pros
-Getting flight benefits on United, Delta, and American. We receive a stipend to help pay for our annual benefits fees. -The people closest to you can get flight benefits too. -We get discounts on all sorts of things. Hotels, vacation packages, dining out, etc. -Your life will be very interesting, and you will have amazing photos and stories. -Great health insurance which includes vision and dental. -Plenty of base choices. If you don't like your base, you can try to move to another one every month, but you only move based on what the company needs. (ORD, CMH, MCI, LGA, EWR, MIA, IND, PHL, PIT, DCA.) IAH will soon be a base! -Our planes are just the right size. They are not to small or not too big. -You get to meet a lot of people which is nice when you thrive on being sociable. -This job is ideal for single people without children. They will thrive in this environment. -Your classmates in training or co-workers will become lifelong friends because they understand this lifestyle. -You get a company-issued iPad. -You get paid to travel. It sometimes doesn't feel like a job and feels glamorous. -We don't have to work red eyes, and our flights aren't terribly long. -We get per diem! -We get paid during training. -You will gain customer service skills and become knowledgable on what to do in certain situations. You will learn how to save lives. -If you want to move up in the company, they have plenty of opportunities.
Cons
-We get low priority when we fly standby unless it's our medal, but gate agents often mess up the priority even if it's our own planes! -The job can be physically demanding. You will lift bags, pull out galley carts, touch questionable surfaces, bend your back to pick things up, and walk through huge airports. -Some bases are harder to get than others depending on how "senior" they are. Some people only wait a month to get the base they want. Others might wait an entire year. -Passengers and mainline employees sometimes complain about our planes being too small. -Our uniforms could be better. They are not flattering and can itch. -You have a strange sleep schedule. You sometimes wake up VERY early. 2 AM or 3 AM. -You are exposed to a lot of germs, so you might get sick often. -You have to constantly put on a happy face despite how you might really feel to provide good service. Passengers and other co-workers can often times be unkind or downright illogical. -You will meet plenty of unprofessional co-workers who should be terminated. -You might have to work when you'd rather be home. You will miss holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other life events if you don't get the days you want off. -You might have an unpredictable schedule. -It can be hard to have a work/life balance if you are constantly away. It's very difficult to raise a family in this lifestyle. -The pay is JUST enough starting out if you live minimally and don't have very many bills. -Delays might cause stress to you and passengers. You might not get home immediately due to weather or mechanical issues. -SOME instructors at training didn't seem to have actual teaching skills and some even seemed to enjoy causing misery for trainees.