Flight Attendants - General Q & A

[Flyingwings79]

Canada visa/permit required??? Urgent.

Hi everybody

I just need a quick info!
Do European Cabin Crew need a Visa or Permit to be able to work in Canada as CC for 4 months operating Long Hauls??

At the Canadian Embassy website says that Cabin Crew and other cathegories do not need anything.

Working temporarily in Canada: Jobs that do not require a work permit

Crew members

Foreign crew members, such as truck drivers, bus drivers, shipping and airline personnel, do not need work permits when:

they are working on vehicles of foreign ownership and registry that are engaged primarily in the international transport of cargo and passengers,
their work is related to the operation of the vehicles or the provision of services to passengers
Countries/Territories requiring visas

Anyone knows something more or had it already the experience?

Any info will be useful as i need it by monday.

Thanks a lot
Flyingwings79

[Manchikeri]

Why don't you ask your employer's operations or HR departments?

[EGCC7955]

when is too old?

Simple question, I'm now 36yo & I'm after a career change, the kids no longer need the father figure looking over them 24/7 so...
I'm i too old to think about becoming cabin crew & if not where is best to apply?
All advice is greatly appreciated

[atmosphere]

After retirement is to old as far as being cabin crew is concerned!!

I can assure you that at the age of 36 you will have many many many years of flying ahead of you! The only question you need to ask yourself now is..... What Airline!!?

[LadyJ1]

I say go for it!! Your only as old as you feel.. Flying is a great career. You wont regret it.

[Mari]

You are in the UK. I think it's against the law to discriminate someone due to age.

Let's get real!

I read back your posts. I suspect that you used to work at the airport. You must have lots of information. Strange question from you...

Maybe you are not the ideal candidate but you should try what you can.

Where to start: google Uk airlines. You get a list. Visit all websites and apply. You might be invited for a rectuitment day if they are hiring. Visit the websites regularly and check for open positions. If your application is rejected, you can apply 6 months later.

My concern is: most of the companies offer temporary contacts nowadays and small salaries. Are you willing to re-locate? (Consider the cost of rent and fuel.)

I'm not sure you can accept all the conditions when you need to feed the family and also see them occasionally.

Look at EasyJet first. They pay quite OK. (Well, rather after probation. My friend, a purser in LGW, makes 1400-1600 pounds a month.) However, only seasonal contacts (might extend it, might not) and no base in Manchester.

People rather choose flying as short-term career today. The job is very demanding and stressful. Most of the applicants here will do it 1-5 years and change.

Why? The Golen Era with the good money, long layovers, respect is all gone. You fly your ass off, get paid peanuts and passengers treat you like dirt.


Good luck!

[Airbus321-200]

In the airline i work for 65yrs old is too old. We have just had a 64yr old lady join the cabin crew team. Some airline like 18yr fresh faced girls and some prefer the more mature crew member who have life experience and who are more likely to turn up to work on the weekends and who offer that warmth that you dont get with younger crew.

[Mari]

Oh, so a young person cannot offer warmth. Interestring.

However, passengers prefer young, thin girls with a great smile and don't really like old, fat, burnt-out stewardesses.

I'm happy she was hired without knowing the 'right' people.

Give the name of the airline to this guy. Manchester base prefered, I guess.

[windshear12]

easy base at MAN

Just for the record Mari, easyjet do indeed have a base at Manchester and with future planned growth I understand it will be a very large base over the coming years.

[Mari]

I just went on the homepage and I haven't seen MAN. Am I that blind?! Sorry.... Where to apply? I'm not Easy crew, no idea about the growth. The ppruner above might find this info very useful.

So, would you recommend him to apply?

[irishmanc]

Being 40, Republic of Ireland Passport Holder & living in Manchester & near MAN since 2002 (although willing to commute to any part of UK & Ireland) after 20+ years in retail, single (older) gay male with no ties, I've applied to a lot of airlines, including Aer Lingus, BA Mixed Fleet, Flybe, Easyjet & Jet2 despite a lot of pressure and rabid opposition from family & current workmates to give up on my dream, because they passionately believe that I do not have the personal skills & talents required to become cabin crew - in fact, some ex-employers who are rabidly opposed to my changing careers (who sacked me for being gay under Irish law) have stated that (out of pure jealousy & spitefulness, being petty just for the sake of it) that when they recieved a reference request from an airline they contacted a family friend (who is on thier side) telling them that they will do everything in thier power to prevent me from getting any other job, either fomally and/or informally via social contacts (as this is how things work in Rural Ireland) and the family friend, being in agreement with this, is contacting the HR departments of every airline that they can think of in order to "block" my applications in a personal vendetta against myself simply because I am an "out" gay man, where attempts to dissuade me from change careers is beginning to border on bullying - I've asked these people in writing to stop thier behaviour as it is unacceptable & also because applying for CC positions should be on merit alone & not on the nonsense opinions of some idiot who has no right whatsover to unfairly attempt to influence the selection process with the clear intention of scaring the airline off from recruiting me as CC - it is a very difficult & frustrating issue for me & I need some help - My current employer's HR & the union regardless of what the job/career change is (even if I was to to move back to Ireland) are of the same mind having been contacted by certain people in Ireland informally...I'm really beginning to get really tired of the mind games, the maipulation, etc, which is the very reason why I want to get out of retail anyway, but I have found among certain people whom I have told (trusted friends only) that jealousy, spitefulness & envy, expressed in & by catty comments & personal attacks, really starts to rise to the surface when the subject of career change to CC comes up

[KNT544]

Simple question, I'm now 36yo & I'm after a career change, the kids no longer need the father figure looking over them 24/7 so...
I'm i too old to think about becoming cabin crew & if not where is best to apply?
All advice is greatly appreciated

Im 44 and currently sat in the hotel mid way through my training as Cabin Crew for EZY whilst my wife and kids are at home. Im not the oldest on the course either!

[scottie380]

get out of there

Irishmanc

You need to get out of where you are.. This place is way behind the times. Never give up on your dreams. Dont tell anyone you are applying or that you get an interview.. I was successful on my 15th try as CC. I have been flying for 5 years now and Im 44yo now. If I had given up when people were saying your never going to get in I wouldnt be where I am today.

Good luck..

[MHK College Student]

Airlines that hire 18/19 year olds

I am a male freshman currently enrolled at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kan. (MHK) I am looking for airlines that would hire an 18/19 year old for a flight attendant position within their airline. I would be open to any domicile and any salary, noting that I would be with the airline for the safety and comfort of the customer, while still getting them to their destination on-time. I have an extensive customer service background.
Any ideas on airlines that would hire 18/19 year olds? Thanks so much for your time!

[irishmanc]

I think the age question is interesting - obviously, it should not really matter in this day and age, but just think about when you fly as PAX with any airline - would you prefer some 20 years old lad or girl, or would you prefer an older crew member who looks like they have had some life experience behind them, even if they are new to the airline...? a mix of both male & female crew of varying ages & with varying levels of both life experience & experience within that airline is perhaps the best option

[Fiona82]

Hey flyingwings....

I am sure if you wanna work for a Canadian Airline (like Air Canada) which is based in Canada and you will have to live there, pay Canadian taxes etc...
you need to have a work permit for that.

You don't need a Canadian Visa if you for example work for Britisch Airways, Air France, Lufthansa etc. which are based in European countries and you actually live in Eurpoe, but you come for a layover to Canada. If you are a Busdriver driving passengers from New York to Toronto (then you live and work in America NOT in Canada and work for an American company) and of course don't need Canadian work permit.
But beeing based and working in Canada means you need a visa.
Is your 4 months job based on a European company who sends you out there to wokr for them? Then this can be different and you should ask HR for advise!

[irishmanc]

Middle East Airlines

While looking at the Emirates Recruitment website & somve videos on YouTube, I did watch some of the videos about Emirates & life in & around Dubai - from what I have seen, it seems really very good & family orientated - maybe your husband could also get a job at Emirates too - I am very, very tempted to take up a CC position with them even if it means relocating from Manchester UK and even as a single Irish gay man with no partner or children - I've chatted to some online gay friends a little younger than myself who work for EK & live in Dubai & they have told me there have been no problems - although the UAE is a very strict Muslim state where public displays of affection (even between husband & wife) are not allowed, as is public drinking (people still do so in private in thier homes) I am sure that they would encourage married mothers to move there for the better quality of life that they have there - there have been issues on occasion involving single people falling foul of the very strict moral codes, even when away on flights, but I agree with this & it is also a small price to pay for what you get in return - its really about common sense - it is way better than the very tough council estate where I live in Manchester where people getting drunk and committing antisocial behaviour is a big problem - I really think that given your experience you should go for it and you may also get a purser position or get to work in Business Class or First Class very quickly - hope all goes well for you xxxx

[cley_babe]

Cabin Crew Interview Questions

Hi everyone,

Would you care to share some of the possible interview questions for cabin crew? I'll be attending the open day this March 19 and your help will be very much appreciated. thanks!

[WishesToFly]

Do you think I am mad?

Hi All,

This may sound like an odd question, but I would like to know opinions from any cabin crew staff that could give me an insight into employment with budget airlines.

I am a 26 Years old with the ultimate aim of becoming a cabin crew member for a budget airline. What goes against me is that one company that I was doing a course for went into administration and cannot get a reference. This studying accounted for nearly 2 years. I was not working while studying.

I felt that I would not let this company get me down by going into administration and decided to take another course which was travel and tourism which I have now completed and got excellent grades.

So now I have been working as a hotel receptionist and restaurant front of house host for a year now. I now have 4 years to go to make up a complete 5 year history to get an airside pass to get a cabin crew job.

I aim to stay in my job for the whole 5 year period so that I can get one reference that covers the whole 5 years.

So 4 years to go to get my dream job. In the next 4 years I aim to achieve all the necessary qualifications and experience to get me the job. I have good academic qualifications and have been undertaking other aviation related
courses.

Do you think I am mad waiting another 4 years to complete my employment history. And...will I be too old at 30 years of age?

Your thoughts are much appreciated?

Thank you.

AJ

[Lord Spandex Masher]

Do you think I am mad waiting another 4 years to complete my employment history. And...will I be too old at 30 years of age?

AJ, if you need to do so to achieve your aim then that's what you have to do. Good on you for not giving up as well.

30 is definitely not too old to be cabin crew. Many cabin crew are employed at 18 and often get quite rapid promotion in budget airlines. As long as you can cope with your senior cabin crew being 10 years younger than you then there's no problem at all.