don't be so deperate!
to all of you that do now, or are considering a flying career as crew. Please, i beg of you, do not accept crap pay just because it is something you have always wanted to do. the reason why this used to be such a great job is because you were justly rewarded for what you did - and for those that "want to", let me tell you keeping 180+ passengers happy alone is not an easy task, before the rest of what the job entails comes into question!
so, before you sell your soul to do what it is you think you have always wanted to do, DO NOT accept a base salary below $65k for international and $55k domestic -bare minimum - as all you do is sell out on yourself, AND those already in the industry. if you accept such ****ty pay, then that is where the bar is set. pilots realise this (well, those tha have been around for a while do) and it is about time we stepped up to the plate and told them "what for?" as well.
We work xmas, easter, all other public holidays. we start at all hours and can work up to 12 hours if "**** happens", weekends? what weekends? gettig called on a day off? you betcha. getting called at 1am when they need someone? you betcha. having to lock in your annual leave 15 months in advance? you betcha. someone has a heart attack on board and all you have is a cpr mask? you betcha. if you work domestically you could deal with 720 pasengers in one day! if the weather is bad and once again "**** happens" who do you think cops it? not the bean counters, not the guys making all the rules and negotiating on our behalf with the union for new work rules. US and who keeps the bean counters and the other golden handshakers in a job? US! If we don't fix the passengers problem, or make them happy before they get off the flight are they necessarily going to fly with our airline again (whichever that airline may be) NO. And what happens then? No business. And what does that mean? Bean counters and all powers that be above, out of a job. Mmmm...and they think we are overpaid. Let us see them do our job for a month of bad weather, airport closures, engineering problems, catering problems, etc. none of these problems were caused by us...but we fix them and make the passengers happy. Over paid? Get real!!!
if you accept basic wage, you are part of the problem. Please, can we all start demanding what we should!!!!