flight-Attendant-Mom

Everything I Love About Being A Flight Attendant Mom

 

Everything I Love About Being a flight Attendant Mom

I’m a Flight Attendant Mom.  My job requires me to leave the people that I love.  Although it’s only temporary, leaving home is hard. Even with my constant comings and goings, I love being a Flight Attendant Mom.

If you would’ve asked me years ago if I would consider a career in flying, I would have looked at you as if you had two heads. Absolutely not!  The thought of me leaving my children and husband was inconceivable.  But that all changed in 2013 and since making the decision to fly, I have no regrets.

Want to learn more about my job?  Check out: Everything You Need to Know About Being A Flight Attendant Mom

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Random trips to the beach on a work layover in November. The beach is my Happy Place!

Here’s Everything I Love About Being A Flight Attendant Mom!

Flexibility

One of the best things about being a Flight Attendant is having a flexible work schedule. It’s important for me to choose a schedule that works best for me and my family. If this job did not allow me the time to care for the ones I love at home, I would not be doing it.

I work an average of 15 days per month. I usually opt to work weekends since I’m now homeschooling my children. I rarely have trouble getting the days off I need.  And I rarely miss an important event.

Most of my trips are 3-day trips.  I try to get the ones that allow me to leave in the afternoon and return in the afternoon on the 3rd day. That way I’m only gone from home one full day.  This makes it a lot easier for the kids when I leave.

More on my schedule here:  A Day In the Life of a Flight Attendant Mom

World Travel

It’s because of my Flight Attendant career that we’re able to be a well-traveled family.  We recently returned from a 7 day trip to Paris and Morocco.  We used my flight benefits to fly Delta One, first class, to Paris and connect on Air France to Marrakech.  I haven’t had a chance to price what it would’ve actually cost us, but I know it’s upward $10,000 just for the Paris tickets.

Prior to being a Flight Attendant, I was an airline  Customer Service Agent for 10 years. I had the exact same flight privileges as I do now, but not nearly the same flexibility to use it. Our family trips use to be short 3-4 day trips because I couldn’t get the time off from work. Flying standby you always need a day or two before and after your trips just in case. Now I get my one week plus additional days I schedule off by swapping my work trips.  I can usually schedule up to 15 days off with a vacation week.  We can now take about 4 international trips a year.

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We’ve been a traveling family since my 2003. My children have all had passports since birth.
Layovers = Time Alone

Layovers are the perfect opportunity for “Me Time”. I don’t know any mom that doesn’t deserve or need self-care or time alone. At home, it’s all about the family, the house, the blog, and everything else that demands my attention. As a homeschooling mom, I rarely get to do the things I want to do anymore.  But on my layover, it’s all about me.

I didn’t have an exercise routine before flying. Now I stay fit by hitting the treadmill at the hotel on my layovers. Dining alone has never been my thing. But on a layover, I wouldn’t hesitate to find a great eatery in Chicago and wouldn’t dare turn down beignets at Cafe du Monde in New Orleans. Which by the way happens to be my two favorite layover cities.

Defined Boundaries

Being a Flight Attendant Mom has been one of the most rewarding career choices I’ve made. I get to leave my work at work.  I don’t expect my employer to call me when I’m off.  My home is my sanctuary away from work.

On vacation, I never have to worry about what’s not getting done or piling up on my desk. I don’t ever have to worry about asking my employer to use earned vacation time. (I worked corporate before and I remember this injustice.)

When I’m at work, I’m at work. And when I’m home, I’m home. Boundaries are clearly defined as a Flight Attendant Mom. And this is what working mothers need the most.

Check out more post about being a Flight Attendant Mom here: The Pros and Cons of Being a Flight Attendant Mom

Comments or questions? Leave them below.

34 thoughts on “Everything I Love About Being A Flight Attendant Mom”

  1. Love the story and I love being a flight attendant mom! I work only 10 or 11 days a month, now I spend most time at home and less time at work and have great benefits and we vacation every month. People ask me, “how can you be a flight attendant and you have a child? I couldn’t leave my child”and my response is, “I work first shift and I’m home in the afternoon to do homework, feed her, give a bath and do her hair and tuck her in!” I have 20 days off a month! I do AM turns, I have the best schedule ever!

    1. Awesome Sharon! If you ever want to share about your experience as a Flight Attendant mom, you always have a place at MyMommyFlies!

      1. Hi Sharon, I just made 5 years in January. Please understand though, my schedule is pretty much the same as a new hire. I get the same hours as someone that just came on the line. I may have more preference with days I choose to have off but I work weekends anyway because of homeschool. Let me know if you have any more specific questions. Thanks!

      1. Hi Sharon, not all airlines are the same in terms of schedule and pay. It’s best to see what they all offer using the career or job section on the company’s main site. Hope this helps!

    2. How long have u beenworking where u r at ? I have 3 kids and a husband and am qorried . I want to work Monday to Friday and come home every day in the evenings to tend to myfamily. Is that possible ?.r

      1. HI Deirae,

        With a LOT of seniority, what you’re asking is possible. Not likely, but possible. This is not a 9-5 Mon-Friday career. There are few careers in the airline (travel) industry that is 9-5 and flying is definitely NOT one of them.

        Any more questions about flying?

  2. I would love love love to become a flight attendant. I have two children myself and we’ve talked a lot about me making this my new career. You’re scheduled sounds ideal and I’d prefer the international route verses the domestic one. And besides my children are game for the new potential occupation. Do you have any pointers or tips and or any dos or don’ts when/while applying. Thank you in advance for you time and responded.

    1. Hi Marekia, be sure to be honest about your work experience on your application and resume. If you have any hospitality or service jobs, be sure to put it on there. Also listing volunteer or community service won’t hurt!

  3. Hello Katrina, I’m a flight attendant myself, it’s been 10 years now, & became a new mom 1 year ago now! However, I’ve always told myself I wouldn’t do this job with kids! It’s nice to hear all the pros about this job, but I’ve also seen many cons from other fa moms! I also want to add a very important aspect about being able to do this job while having kids, it’s that you need a really good support around you! You can’t just take off on a turn or pairing & leave your kids behind! You need someone to take care of your kids while you’re away or someone you can call right away & that will be available if you’re on reserve or even if you’re not; delays etc! I’m curious what kind of support you have? Here this job is not doable for me anymore & I’m not sad about it, I’m looking forward to be with my kid on holidays & see her everyday! I saw too many fa mom crying & not enjoying their time away from their kids! Thank you for sharing your experience is nice to see it from another point of view as well! 😉

    1. Hi Alina, thank you for sharing your perspective. Its important that both sides of this is shared so that we communicate the full story. In my post I do state the importance of having a strong support at home. It’s also good to note that different airlines have different policies for new and expectant mothers. When I first started flying my children were 6 and 4. Compared to working the evening shift, which I did for many years prior to flying, being a flight attendant was a relief. I worked 4-5 days a week and only got to put my kids to bed twice a week. When the started school, a year before I was flying, I rarely saw them because I was only home during the day. Now that I fly, I’m gone maybe 3-4 days a week. I work no more than 15 days a month and that doesnt mean I’m gone all those 15 days. Sometimes I leave in the afternoon or at night, so even though I count that as a work day, I’m home all day with the kids. My husband is my main support. I also hired sitters to help afterschool. I mostly work weekends to homeschool during the weekday. Being a flight attendant mom is a challenge, but in my experience and from my perspective can be a great job for moms.

      1. Hi there! Probably a dumb question, but everyone keeps taking about the importance of having a support system to care for kids. I’m just wondering, obviously it’s different for every airline, but in order to make this work, does that mean your support system has to be wherever your hub is? Or is it possible to just fly back to your home town for a few days? I know it’s probably a confusing question… I guess I’m just wondering how often someone has to relocate in order to get the job? Relocation would obviously make anything difficult if you can’t move your support system with you. I hope this question makes sense! I’m worried about having to relocate. With my 5 month old, family, and friends in Reno, I have a heard time wrapping my head around how all of this would work. I’m sure every airline is different, but if you could provide a little insight, I would GREATLY appreciate it! Thanks in advance!

        1. Commuting to you hub is pretty common in the industry. No need for relocation unless that suits you and your family better. Hope this helps! Please keep me posted and let me know if you have any more questions. I’ve been pretty offline with my blog but I’m still here. 🙂

      2. Hi.. how are you doing and the family? I really appreciate your time and effort sharing your with us all you’ve experienced. I love it!My name is ogunsola Hammed Olusola, a Nigerian of lagos state origin.(Male). May God continue to bless and place you high! I love this job as well and I have been trying to get a place in the school here in my country 19years ago, which I later lost my mum and dad. Your write up, really impressed me alot. Recently, about 2month ago I got a place to study cabin crew. I have waited for 19years. But, at the end, I am sincerely grateful! I got what I wanted! I will like to know if I can get some help from you? Thank you so much! While I wait for your response. Hammed.

  4. Hi Katrina,

    Thank your for answering so fast! I’m glad you found what works for you! Becoming a mom changes ones’s persoective a lot! You are lucky to have such a good support I think it’s the key in this filed when you are a parent! Also homeschooling is amazing! It’s nice to read all your aventures! Thank you 😉

  5. I really appreciate this page & all of your honest info! I am considering a career change and really want to go for it as a flight attendant. My youngest starts kindergarten soon and I have had doubts about whether or not this career is a good choice. (mom guilt about being away from home)
    Are schedules like yours pretty common or is that something that comes with more seniority? Leaving in an afternoon and only being away a full day or two doesn’t seem bad at all. Seems like more quality time with family when you are home.
    Thank you for sharing your experiences.

    1. Hi Sarah, at the time that first published this post I was fairly new. Flying for about a year or more. Since then, there has been changes to our trip structure. Trip structures vary by base, season, and airline. Currently, I fly mostly overnight trips, also known as leans. I leave during the evening, 7-9pm, and return by morning 8-10am. This allows me to be home more since I’m currently homeschooling. Most junior FA’s in my company can hold these kinds of leans. They are tough to work but it allows you to have more flexibility with your schedule. What your schedule or trip looks like will greatly depend on the airline, the time of the year, and of course your seniority. Hope this helps!!

  6. I am turning 32 this year with 9 and 5 years kids, I would love to persue a career as a flight attendant…are there any scholarships or bursaries for study to be one?

  7. I’ve been researching this topic a lot lately because I am dying to get out of my current career. I have a degree in Marketing and my thought was that the degree would allow me the opportunity to travel a lot more. I was wrong not only am I not using my degree I’ve been stuck in an accounting role for the past 4 years and I’m officially over it. I want to travel more but still, need to make money to provide for my kids. I started watching flight attendant videos on YouTube. The good and the bad and I know I want this as a career. Thank you for sharing because up until a few days ago I never thought this could be an option for my family.

  8. Hi! Just want to ask for your advice if I should pursue this career since I’m quite torn. I have a child as well, he’s 1month old actually, I don’t know if I can bear being away from my little one or will kept thinking that I should have tried. 🙁
    THANK YOU!!

    1. Hi Marie, I don’t know how to answer that. I believe its all about the support you have at home for your child and what you level of comfort is. Best of luck!

  9. Hi! I LOVE your blog and posts. You’re so inspirational and thank you so much for taking the time to make this. I am also a flight attendant and am starting a family. My fiancee’s kids are 7 and 4. I was wondering if you had any suggestions on books or any material to help them understand my job and traveling. Thank you so much again!

    Cat

    1. HI Cat! You’re welcome. Congratulations on your already or soon to be growing family:).
      You can find several children’s books about flying and traveling at your local library and even on Amazon. My favorite publisher is Usborne books and they have a few books about travel that are very engaging.
      https://usborne.com/browse-books/catalogue/product/1/3005/50-things-to-do-on-a-plane/

      The best way for children to learn about your profession is to invite them on a flight with you. The kids will get a kick out of seeing you in your element. It also helps them to understand the tasks you’re completing on the job and why sometimes your days are long and exhausting.

      Hope this helps. See you in the air. Safe Travels!

  10. I’m finely taking the leap into becoming a flight attendant and your story is exactly what I’m praying on. I homeschool and kids ant to be there for my girls . My stomach mom was pretty much a stay at home mom . I’ve always wanted to be about to do that . Thank you for showing me it’s possible

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