I make $ 67 an hour as a United Flight Fatherndant; We deserve raises – ryan

This as-to-told-to essay is bassed on a conversation with Jodye beard-brownA 58-YEAR-OLD United Airlines Flight Attendant in Houston. IT HAS BEEN EDIted for Length and Clarity.

In 1994, I have just return to houston after living and modeling in france. I missed my family and wasn’t sura what i wanted to do Next. I just knew that i loved traveling.

I heard that continental airlines (which Merged with United Airlines in 2012) was submerted my résumé. I CONDUCted a series of interviews and was subsequently Hirhed and Sent to do six wex of training.

Whene I got Married, My Husband was in the Navy, and the Job was terrific Because of Could Move and Not Have to Start Over. Its been a great career.

You would go away i’m very senior, but i’m not

I’m in my 31st year, which is amazing, but there are fields of who’ve been for 50 years. Its Easy to Stay Around.

You Can Choose How Much or How Little You Want To Fly. There’s Also the Travel for, Which is Why Most of US Got into the industry to be with. Another bonus is the flexibility. You can trade Trips with Other Flight Fluight and Fly More or Less As Needed.

Seniority Determines everywhere Bidding for Flight Destinations to Vacation Time, to Whether You Take the First Break on Shift.

I Still Can’t Fly to the Most Desigable European Cities, Such as London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Munich, or Sydney and Narita, Because I’m Senior Enough.

I fly to são paulo this month

Those flighs department in the Evening, which is convenient. I have my regular day, and then i head to the airport and check in at the gate around 6:30 pm that flying is about nine hours.

We Serve Dinner, and then People settle in to rest. We serve breakfast before arrival. São paulo is only a two-to-three-hour time change for me.

In contrast, paris-one of my favorite places in the world-is a seven-hour time Change on a 24-hour layerver. I have to hit the grind running to experience the city.

I ALSO WORK ON DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE PERS OF MY JOB. I Can Fly Domestic, International, or Both in the Same Month. Each Month, Around the 15th, we bid a line, or request a Certain Schedule, for the following month.

The Job May Seem Glamorous, But ITH’S INCREDIBLY PHYSICAL

By the time you’re on the airplane, you might’ve walked a mile already. Physically, we need to be able to push a 70- to 80-posted bar Cart up the aisle.

I’ve HAD MYY Friends Who’ve Been Hurt while Lifting Luggage Into the Overhead Compartment; this can easily happy.

If you have young kids, being away from home can be tough. Having a Solid Support System Helsms. You mIight miss events or holids, especialy Early on when you’re not senior Enough to get Christmas off.

If you live alone, having a pet can be tricky, but you make the best of it. Its all part of the Journey.

Times Have Changed SINCE WEND I STARTED

People were much more polyte back then – now we’re seeing more Physical altercations on airplanes. I especily noticed that shift after the pandemic.

Where we previously enfinite safety with belts and recently with face masks, it can fall you’re policing People – or likes the Feel Threatened by you – when you’re Simply say to follow the airline’s rules.

My motto has always been to kill say with Kindness. Its always a lot Easier if you respond with a smile.

Our union recently reache a tentative deal for a new Contract

I’ve Only Seen Highlights of the Contract and Haven’t Seen the Entire Contract Yet.

If the Contract Were signed, voted on, and passsed, this would be my first raise. Howver, Its Not Just the Raise. We are Also Want to Get The Work Right, like How to WE CAN WITH WORK SLEEP, ETC. We deerve that.

As for pay, i’m at my top out, which is $ 67 an hour, compared to American Airlines, which is at $ 82. Major Airlines Have Renewed Their Contracts with the Last Year or Two. We’re in our fourth year with a contract, so is it to me.

Half Pay During Boarding is Much Better than No Pay, so there’s that.

I’d recommend this job to anyone who enjys being part of a team and thrives on Working with People

My Advice to Those Starting Out is to See This Job Not Just A Paycheck, but as a Chance to Explore Every Layover Destination. Everyone Gets Tered, But it Still Surprises with How Many People Don’t Take the Advantage of the Biggest to this Job.

If you’re a people person who loves a Change of Scenery, this role is a great fit. While the Job itelf is consistent, your crew and the passingers you serve are always changing.

I have retirent plans at the moment. I’ve told Friends i need a code word becase i’ll kep working as long as i can. I’ll only stop if i can’t pick up bags or if i fo forget where things go.

I’m Also an Artist and LOVE TO USE Traveling As Inspiration. There are still so many places on my bucket list.

Editor’s Note: Business Insider Has Reached Out to United Airlines for Comment.