Since flight attendants and pilots are always traveling, how difficult is it to have work/life balance?

Hi Rob,

Great question.
I am a flight attendant on private aircraft but, I did start on the airlines and, on my days ( I'm 54 now) people did remain with the same airline so they could get seniority ( the more years you worked for same airline, the better everything got). Seniority would bring you better pay and better routes. As a junior you would fly a lot of domestic ( in the country) routes but as a senior, you would get to go international and, even able to choose where. Plus all other benefits with seniority.
I hope this helped. Any more questions, I'll be more than happy to help you with.
Good luck buddy.
PS- funny fact - I'm writing you this reply in Bangalore, India. I'm on a trip presently, working it as the flight attendant : )

As a former employee of Delta Air Lines In-Flight department I feel I can answer your questions. If becoming a flight attendant is your dream career you must be very strong willed and be a very independent person. Also, if during your interview you only remember one word to define a flight attendant duties that one word would be "safety." Being selected as a flight attendant is only the being of your career. Classes are six to eight weeks long and everyday you are given a test from the day before's studies that you must pass with a 90 percent or better, remember each and everyday you are tested. You are given one chance to score below 90 percent and are aloud one chance to retake the exam and pass with, again, a 90 percent or higher. Remember, from this point on you must pass every single exam with a 90 percent or higher to graduate with your class. Flight attendant work long hours, sometimes 12 hour days. My first flight I flew in and out of four cities on a three day trip. When you fly three day trip you fly with the same cabin crew and sometimes the pilots switch because their flight hours are much different than flight attendant hours. You are paid once the plane wheels are up and once the plane wheels touch the ground. Flight attendants work very close together and the bond is like that of being family. This can be said of the pilots, once you start flying with the same pilots they remember you and you'll remember them. Some pilots, like your co-working flight attendants, become close family so be yourself and always be friendly and honest. My career with Delta Air Lines began in 1988 and do to a injury I had no choice but to retire. I would still be with Delta today if not for my injury. I hope one we can meet and I can share many of my career stories, my In-Flight training book and just a host of experience's I obtained while employees with Delta. Please feel free to drop me a line or call me at home in Newnan, GA. (470) 414 - 2362. I hope I helped a little bit. Cheers, Jeffrey

A lot depends on the type of flight att. you are. If you are flying for the majors such as Delta, United, or American senority rules all so the longer you work for them the better trips you get to bid on. As a new hire you typically get assigned domestic trips.Schedules for crew range from one day trips up to 6 days depending on the airline.
If you are hired with a charter airline you will have the ability to fly international right away but the trips can range from a week up to a month.
Regional flight attendants traditionally do shorter trips, 1 to three days but during the course of a day you do many ups and downs.
If your a corporate flight attendant a lot depends on if your employed by a company (netjets) or a private family. Schedules are based on their needs.
Don't ever let age prevent you from trying out something new. Be a caring person with a lot of patience and you'll do fine. Hope this helps!

Both pilots and flight attendants bid for their schedules monthly at most airlines. They can bid for long trips or short trips based on their needs, however their ability to secure the "line" or monthly schedule is based somewhat on seniority. The work/life balance requires that they be comfortable being away from home, and that their spouse be willing to handle things at home when you are traveling. As their seniority gets higher, they have more control over the trips and schedules they bid for, so are able to be off on important occasions and events, but in the early years, there are many holidays, etc., that just have to be celebrated on a different day. The benefits are nice in the long run, but you pay a price in the beginning.

I have been a flight attendant for 27 years and have been married 25 years. I also have children. I fly 3 days a week (leaving on maybe a Friday and coming home on Sunday. At my airline 3 days on and 4 days off is what most schedules are. Some people add days of flying on their off days to increase income. Having a husband and children can be difficult at times, trying to keep up with schedules. I am very fortunate to have a spouse that is incredible with balancing everything out and keeping things in order. It can be difficult on kids and marriages to be away from home so much. With my seniority in the company I am able to be home for all holidays and can normally have almost anytime off that I need, but it wasn't always like that. I have worked Christmases and Easters and birthdays in my early years here. Balance and flexibility are key, Having very good communication and a wonderful partner is so important, because so much falls on the parent that is home.