How do UK airlines compare with US?

[cchopeful]

I have both British and USA nationality, so could work either in the EU or USA. I don't know a lot about FA jobs in the US and have just spent a frustrating time trying to find out how the US carriers compare as employers with the major UK airlines. There seems to be much less information on the web about pay, terms and conditions for US carriers than their UK opposite numbers.

Can anyone help please?

[Dolley]

The honest answer is that I don't really know but I seem to remember reading somewhere that in the US the working conditions aren't as good regarding flight time limitation hours...especially concerning minimum rest. Definitely worth looking into before making a decision. Not much of a help...

[air2bob]

if you are of pension age you may stand a chance of employment!!! :ok:

[johnrizzo2000]

I'm Irish, and am training to fly with a certain Irish airline. I have friends who fly for US airlines, and my pay and conditions far exceed theres!

[Smell the Coffee]

Depends what you want. If you want to fly long-haul or just internationally, you're better off joining a UK airline.

The way things are in the US, you won't be flying long-haul routes until you're middle-aged due to seniority issues!

If you're happy flying in smaller aircraft within the USA, then you just need to compare pay, rosters, benefits etc. On these things, I can't help.

[Timmyflyer]

CC...i work for british airline and go to U.S alot....as previous people have said, if you want to do longhaul then expect to wait a very long time to do it. Have a friend who has been with AA for 17yrs and is still not on longhaul.

I do know someone who works for Southwest and they seem very happy. You do work alot, but the benefits are pretty good(by U.S standards) and you can certainly get around the country. Having flown with them a few times, the crews all seemed very happy :)and enjoying their jobs.

Anyway..hope you fund what you looking for.

Timmy

[kmp1]

I worked for US airlines for 8 years, and now for a British Airline. The US is ALL seniority.... You bid for everything, and could end up on straight reserve every month until your seniority can hold anything decent. Long haul takes years...... Decades! On the plus side they have none of the "Briefings" like in the UK with answering questions etc, and the Flight Benefits are very good (unlimited, free, best class available in most cases) For women going on maternity, the USA is terrible. Pay is pretty much the same -- if not worse in the USA since 9-11.

[johnrizzo2000]

For most new hires in Continental, you are normally assigned to long-haul straight away. AA and other US carriers are different

[kmp1]

U can get assigned to long haul right away on reserve or standby but i'm surprised if they can bid and hold a long haul line as a new hire

[johnrizzo2000]

U cant hold lines for about 5 years, but you'll be flying reserve long-haul. Not exactly fun in my opinion!

[wiggy]

Judging from the above I take it you guys (US Cabin crew) have a bidding system, similar to the Bidline system BA pilots use? I'm not sure how many of the UK outfits have it for their Cabin Crew - BA certainly don't.

[wiggy]

Just to clarify, I thought that some of the US carriers used a line bidding system. AFAIK BA's system is more of a preferencing system, you certainly don't have the ability to bid for a specific line of work, either in EF or WW.

Standing by to be corrected:).

[cchopeful]

Hey thanks everyone, I really appreciate the comments.

air2bob I'm a little way of a pension at 19 ;)

When I've been looking at UK and European Airlines and trying to compare packages, I've come to the conclusion that the best way to make comparisons is net take-home pay - there are so many differences between airlines with flight duty pay and commission and allowances etc.

Can anyone tell me what to expect in the bank at the end of the month from a US carrier (for junior Flight Attendants)?

Timmyflyer perhaps your friends would know, or johnrizzo2000 or kmp1?

Thank you

[johnrizzo2000]

Basic for US airlines, starting off at about $17000. Its pretty bad, if you ask me! If you start in a US airline, you'll have to try to scrape by for the first few years, and then you'll start making money. I'd go for a European airline; and thats what I did!