Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Other Aircrew Forums > Cabin Crew
Reload this Page >

How do UK airlines compare with US?

Wikiposts
Search
Cabin Crew Where professional flight attendants discuss matters that affect our jobs & lives.

How do UK airlines compare with US?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 20th Jun 2007, 16:48
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Age: 36
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
How do UK airlines compare with US?

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?
cchopeful is offline  
Old 20th Jun 2007, 17:23
  #2 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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...
Dolley is offline  
Old 20th Jun 2007, 17:56
  #3 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: down south
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
if you are of pension age you may stand a chance of employment!!!
air2bob is offline  
Old 20th Jun 2007, 18:09
  #4 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
johnrizzo2000 is offline  
Old 20th Jun 2007, 18:13
  #5 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: ABZ
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Smell the Coffee is offline  
Old 20th Jun 2007, 20:31
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: U.K
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Timmyflyer is offline  
Old 21st Jun 2007, 12:32
  #7 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
kmp1 is offline  
Old 21st Jun 2007, 19:18
  #8 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
For most new hires in Continental, you are normally assigned to long-haul straight away. AA and other US carriers are different
johnrizzo2000 is offline  
Old 22nd Jun 2007, 13:40
  #9 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
kmp1 is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2007, 16:13
  #10 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
U cant hold lines for about 5 years, but you'll be flying reserve long-haul. Not exactly fun in my opinion!
johnrizzo2000 is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2007, 17:17
  #11 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 6,555
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
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 is offline  
Old 23rd Jun 2007, 17:44
  #12 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: The Winchester
Posts: 6,555
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
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.
wiggy is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2007, 14:15
  #13 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Age: 36
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
cchopeful is offline  
Old 24th Jun 2007, 14:49
  #14 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Ireland
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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!
johnrizzo2000 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.