Why I Am a Regional Flight Attendant

I fly American's regional jets. I work only on these jets because I was trained only on the emergency procedures and service standards of these jets. Other Flight Attendants fly other jets.

When I got hired I thought flying regional would be a precursor to "going mainline." Mainline as in mainline American Airlines--different, larger jets; longer flights; international destinations, etc. Though this is a common transition for many, I learned that this path was actually not in my best interest despite some enticing benefits.

In this post I'd like to explain why for those who are interested in becoming a Flight Attendant. Because in an industry where seniority is King, where you start your journey is very important. And there are some things I wished I would have known before paying my dues on the bottom rung of the totem pole.

All Flight Attendant positions require intensive weeks of training. And the first couple of days of that training is literally called "indoctrination." You're there--you made it past a very challenging hiring process--and there are thousands lined up behind you hoping to be where you are. And you obviously have already subscribed to the magical allure of working as a glamorous Flight Attendant. It is this allure, this adventurous spirit, that will find reward within the many, many (often frustrating) challenges to this kind of work. The first days of training place these special magical conditions forefront in your thoughts and tie them specifically to your chosen airline. It is purposeful; you're going to need to be self-motivated to embrace the demanding lifestyle of a Flight Attendant.

It is this allure, this adventurous spirit, that will find reward within the many, many (often frustrating) challenges to this kind of work.

It was during this time in regional training that I was called by American Airlines (mainline) for an interview--after applying and waiting quite some time. In order to make the interview, I'd have to rush to the training hotel on a lunch break and hope I could return in time for lessons to resume in the training center. I declined the interview request. I was indoctrinated. My regional airline had already invested so much in me and had already convinced me I was exactly where I needed to be. In my case, I actually was. But only you can decide what is best for you. If you know mainline is where you want to be, you take that interview without hesitation. But know all of these things:

The straightforward, inarguable differences between regional and mainline flying are as follows:

Pay

The hourly flight hour pay is greater at all legacy carriers (American, Delta & United). After Delta offered boarding pay at 50% of the flight rate to its flight attendants, United and American's unions negotiated it in their most recent contracts. Of course benefit offerings for each airline act as a value added, as do opportunities for bonuses and profit sharing. These opportunities should definitely be considered when mulling over pay.

Flight time

Flight attendants for the legacy carriers get trained on larger aircrafts that do longer hauls. More flight hours can mean less flights a day, less boarding time which is at the half rate. For comparison, regional flight attendants receive no boarding pay and may need to board 4 to 5 even 6 flights (rare) a day.

Flight Crew

Keeping with the FAA's required ratio of 1 flight attendant to 50 passengers, flight crews in the larger aircrafts are greater. My planes require 2 flight attendants. Other regional flights operate with only 1 flight attendant as they only carry up to 50 passengers.

International Destinations

Sure, overnighting in exotic/international destinations is more exciting then, say, Bangor, Maine. But one must consider that even after years of flying, your seniority level may not give you a schedule with these in-demand locations.

That's it. Those are those enticing benefits. Pay alone is enough to convince many that mainline is the way to go. Maybe it is that simple for some, but there are other considerations. And these considerations deal with the most important factor of all: quality of life.

Below are the factors that your unique perspective may have you overriding the discrepancy in pay. They certainly have for me, ultimately having me drop the notion of going mainline... for now.

Reserve Life

All flight attendants have to endure Reserve. Reserve is a time period after training and after passing your Initial Operating Experience to earn your Wings, but before being granted "A Line" of set flying for the month.

On Reserve, you are a soldier of the airlines' schedule integrity. Your schedule, for all intents and purposes, is at the whim of the system's Lineholders (Flight attendants who have set Lines), the FAA's set duty limits, weather, aircraft maintenance issues, and other uncontrollable things. Because the planes have to fly, you are there waiting, ready for duty. Sometimes you need to be 15 minutes from the gate waiting at the airport, sometimes no more than 2 hours away.

Quite simply, Reserve life can be brutal. You have limited control of your schedule and you cannot commute from home if you live outside of base. Now, how long you are on Reserve is based on seniority like everything else, but Mainline requires you to be on Reserve much longer than a regional, up to 5 years at some senior bases. Getting your own Line means you have more control of when and where you fly. It also means you can commute from anywhere in the world to start your flying. Obtaining my Line at 8 months in greatly improved my quality of life. It's like a different job. To transition to mainline and have to endure years of Reserve followed by Reserve Rotation (one month on, one month off) would be horrible. For me. This is the most important consideration of my choosing to remain regional--being home when I need to be home.

Your dream of flying to far away exotic places might not come true until you are old and grey. Because you're not the only one who wants to work that flight to New Zealand.

Seniority-based Bidding

As I mentioned, seniority is everything in aviation. Even when you get a Line, you need to bid for your desired line. The longer you have been flying, the more easily you will get what you want. So your dream of flying to far away exotic places might not come true until you are old and grey. Because you're not the only one who wants to work that flight to New Zealand. Chances are you will fly to the same destinations that regional flight attendants fly as an early Lineholder. I once jump-seated on a mainline flight and spent time with two Flight Attendants who had each been with the airline for over 20 years. And they were flying me to Rochester, New York. When I remarked that I would think that such senior Flight Attendants would be on more glamorous flights, they shared that they still didn't get the Line they wanted--after two decades. The Legacy carriers have a ton of more Flight Attendants than the regionals given the scope of their operation. And they have a ton more Flight Attendants to compete with in bidding for a schedule.

For comparison, I swap into the schedule that suits my needs relatively easy and can usually get exciting overnights that fulfill my creative endeavors (photography) if I am not too exhausted from a day of flying.

Simply put, American Airlines & their wholly-owned subsidiaries have the best personal travel benefits in the industry, hands down.

Flight Benefits

Now where American mainline and regionals share some equity is in flight benefits. Simply put, American Airlines & their wholly-owned subsidiaries have the best personal travel benefits in the industry, hands down. That is a treasure shared with regional Flight Attendants. Though I work only regional flights, I can fly to anywhere in the world for free or dramatically reduced rates. My husband can as well; our dependents can as well; a set of parents can as well (We can alternate sets of parents a year at a time). Like all airlines, we need to fly space-available or stand-by--which is an adventure in of itself and subject to another post. Why is American's flight benefits the best? The travel is Free even in First Class (unlike United); stand-by priority order for employees traveling is based on check-in time (Unlike Delta and Alaska which is seniority based only); at American you get to name up to 12 buddies to fly up to 16 legs of travel (Unlike United who allows 12 legs of travel for up to 10 buddies and Delta who is phasing out buddy passes.) If flying around the world is one of the big reasons you are a flight attendant, American's benefits are the best.

Commuter Hotel Reimbursement

I enjoy a $250 a month hotel reimbursement as a registered commuter, which really helps. Mainline American does not have this benefit, nor does any other Legacy carrier. Though it is likely to encourage living in base, neither mainline nor regional flight attendants earn a living wage (There I said it.), especially in light of the cost of living in most bases. So I appreciate this little enticement.

Working with only one other flight attendant can allow both to be aligned, dedicated and more flexible to the social parameters, as well as remain accountable for the very important tasks of flying.

Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen

Simply put, I love flying with one other flight attendant--and a captain and a first officer behind that door. It's ideal for an introvert. A big part of your trip is spent with your fellow flight attendants. In my view, too many cooks in the kitchen can erode working conditions as skills, work style and priorities vary greatly. Working with one other flight attendant can allow both flight attendants to be aligned, dedicated and more flexible to the social parameters, as well as remain accountable for the very important tasks of flying. This job is, after all, an Entry Level position. I have worked with flight attendants who never held a job before and those who are retired from sometimes multiple careers. Working 1:1 is much preferable for me--and considering we are stationed on opposite sides of the plane, there is opportunity for social regulation--which can be vital in some cases, especially far away from loved ones and support systems.

I hope this offers an in-depth perspective to guide your own decision. If you want to go mainline, start there. If you do not have the qualifications, build your resume with enticing tidbits that make you an attractive candidate. Apply (and reapply) every time you can while enjoying your life on land. The skies will be ready for you after!