How Old Should a Flight Attendant Be?
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YVR
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I think in North America, where they bid for schedules based on seniority, most crews really resent the ones that will not retire. Fly YVR to SYD someday and see that the most junior crew member is usually around 50 years old. Atleast in Canada there is a mandatory retirement age of 65, whereas in the States there isn't one. I had a commuting United flight attendant on one of my flights heading to SFO for work. I aksed her, 'So, how long have you been flying?' The response "Well, I was with Pan Am for 20 years, then of course in 1985 United bought the Pan Am Asia routes, and the aircraft and crews came with that deal. So, I have now been with United since then (this was asked to her in 2009). To give you an idea, I bought a house in Marin County for $20,000 back then." Houses in Marin County are in the millions today. I suspect she used to drive her Model T to get to work. All this woman does each month are 2 SYD trips and a CUN turn from SFO. She has many rental properties, lives in Canada and is covered by the health system, and has a husband who retired years ago and they live well. I know she loves her job, but I do think it is time for the likes of her to retire so younger crews actually have the chance to fly to SYD.
Last edited by yaletown; 18th Jan 2010 at 12:27.
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MANCHESTER
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One of the most fascinating flights I went on was Air Canada LHR-YYZ. Average age of crew .....about 60?
I swear Nancy Reagan served me in economy. The bar trolley was like an adaptation of a zimmer frame! My brother had his knuckles rapped for daring to press his call bell! He then went into the galley to ask for a beer and was told he had already had one and had reached his quota for the flight!
Virgin (only did once return to BGI) crew looked v gorgeous, but I was rather worried when, after take off the senior crew member said in her welcome p.a. "only press your call bell in an emergency"!!! So, would that be in the case of a ditching, decompression or full blown clearly catastrophic??!!!
Personally, I think a complete mixture of ages, sex, experience, nationality makes for the very best room party!
All in all, it's the most wonderful industry to work in and having just left my once fab job I feel pretty well equipped to say that it is the people, flight crew and cabin crew that make it that way!
I swear Nancy Reagan served me in economy. The bar trolley was like an adaptation of a zimmer frame! My brother had his knuckles rapped for daring to press his call bell! He then went into the galley to ask for a beer and was told he had already had one and had reached his quota for the flight!
Virgin (only did once return to BGI) crew looked v gorgeous, but I was rather worried when, after take off the senior crew member said in her welcome p.a. "only press your call bell in an emergency"!!! So, would that be in the case of a ditching, decompression or full blown clearly catastrophic??!!!
Personally, I think a complete mixture of ages, sex, experience, nationality makes for the very best room party!
All in all, it's the most wonderful industry to work in and having just left my once fab job I feel pretty well equipped to say that it is the people, flight crew and cabin crew that make it that way!
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Island of Aphrodite
Age: 75
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We're getting off topic but I loved the one aboout the time when a SLF pushed their call button. The Flight Attendant walked down to him, cancelled the call button and then wagging her finger at him said "Naughty Naughty".
