Dream Comes True: Becoming an Air Hostess and Exploring the World
Have you ever wondered if becoming an air hostess would actually allow you to travel the world? While the idea might be appealing, the reality is somewhat different. Air hostesses do travel the world extensively, but their experience might not be what you imagine.
Travel Opportunities vs. Personal Free Time
As an air hostess, you will fly on set routes determined by the airline. Unlike you may have envisioned, you don’t get to choose which flights to work on in order to explore new destinations. However, the job comes with its own unique perks and challenges.
Senior flight attendants and those who speak foreign languages have the opportunity to fly international routes, where they may spend more leisure time. Additionally, crew members can fly for free. These perks, however, don’t necessarily translate to extensive personal travel. They can, however, spend a few days in these cities very cheaply, due to their free flights.
Work-Related Travel vs. Personal Vacations
Flight crew often see staying at home as their idea of a vacation. They are frequently on duty, sometimes working long shifts with little time for sightseeing. For instance, a 15-hour overnight flight from Los Angeles (LAX) to Heathrow (LHR) followed by an early departure the next day, leaves very little time for exploring the destination.
To illustrate, in the ‘old days,’ a single trip could last up to four to five days, allowing time to visit notable places in the city. Today, these trips are often dubbed 'turnarounds,' leaving little to no time for sightseeing.
Balancing Work and Travel
Initially, newly hired flight attendants don't have much free time to travel during their work. They may work long hours without the ability to travel extensively. However, over time and with seniority, they can acquire the time and resources to pursue their personal interests. They can start to visit more of their dream destinations.
Years after leaving the job, as a manager, I enjoyed the privileges I had earned. On many nights after dinner, my family and I would check the 'VIL's' (Voyage Implementation Load) to find open seats on certain routes. We would map out our travel aspirations, with our London Heathrow terminal serving as the gateway. We would pre-arrange for a mini-cab to take us to the terminal, where we would 'stand by' for our flights.
We visited numerous cities such as Vienna (VIE), Stockholm (SZG), Frankfurt (FRA), and others. Flying two weekends out of every month, these trips offered educational and adventurous experiences for my children. We learned about trams in Stockholm, and the benefits of rail systems in Copenhagen, while enjoying the luxury of first-class air travel.
Conclusion
While the work of an air hostess can be constrained by many factors, it does present unique opportunities to explore the world. Once you navigate the demands, the boundless possibilities can be rewarding. The world truly becomes aочки at your fingertips!