So You Want to Be a Flight Attendant?

10 Things to Consider Before You Apply — From a 13-Year Veteran

A Career Tat Changed My Life

I have been a flight attendant for thirteen years. It is one of the best decisions I have ever made — not just as a career, but as a lifestyle. It gave me the flexibility to be a mom, a wife, and a woman actively building multiple streams of income, all at the same time.

Here is something I want you to know upfront: outside of running Sherley’s Show as Executive Producer, I still fly full time. I am in the air. I am in hotel rooms working behind the scenes on the podcast. I do not hide that, and I never will. I share it because I want women to see that you do not have to choose between a career, your family, and your dreams. You can build all of it — with intention.

Over the years, I have received hundreds of messages on Facebook and Instagram asking me about the flight attendant life. How do you manage it all? Is it really worth it? How do I even get started? So here it is — my honest, real, no-fluff guide for any woman considering this career.

10 Things to Consider If You Want to Become a Flight Attendant

1. Know Which Airline You Want to Work For

Not all airlines are created equal. Before you send out a single application, do your research. There are major carriers — Delta, American Airlines, United, Southwest, JetBlue, Frontier — and regional and international options as well. Each one has its own culture, pay structure, benefits, and lifestyle.

Before you apply, ask yourself:

• What does their compensation and benefits package look like?
• What are the honest pros and cons of working there?
• What does the growth trajectory look like long-term?
• Is this a company whose culture aligns with who I am?

Do not just apply to the most recognizable name. Apply to the one that fits your life.

2. Apply to More Than One Airline

I recommend shortlisting at least three airlines. You can apply simultaneously or one at a time — I personally applied one at a time — but the key is not putting all your energy into a single application. The hiring process can take months. Having multiple applications in motion keeps your options open and your momentum going.

3. Understand the Hub System

This is one of the most overlooked things I tell people. You may not be based in your hometown. Airlines operate from major hubs, and your assignment depends on the needs of that base — not where you want to live. A major carrier could have more than a dozen hubs across the country. Research which ones could realistically work for your life, and go in prepared to be flexible. This decision affects everything from your commute to your quality of life.

4. Get Clear on Your ‘Why’

Before you apply, know why you want this job. The travel perks are real. The uniform is sharp. But the job is demanding in ways that do not always make it into the job description. For me, it was never about the travel or the aesthetics. It was the adrenaline of being 35,000 feet in the air. That ‘why’ carried me through the hard days. Yours will too — but only if you know what it is.

5. Understand the Schedule and What Flexibility Really Means

A flight attendant’s schedule is nothing like a traditional 9-to-5. Depending on your airline and seniority, you can work anywhere from 40 to 120+ hours a month. For moms and women building something on the side, that flexibility is one of the most valuable things this career offers.

One of the biggest quality-of-life factors is whether you live in your base city. I live in mine, which means I do not commute by plane to get to work. That alone makes a significant difference in stress levels and time management. If you commute from outside your base, the lifestyle becomes more complex and requires even more intentional planning.

I have written honestly about what it looks like to manage this as a working mom. If that resonates with you, this post goes deeper:

→  How to Make It Work as a Working Mom and Put Family First

6. Prepare for Time Away from Home

Let’s be honest: this job takes you away from home regularly. You will spend nights in hotel rooms, away from your partner, your children, and your community. When a flight ends, you return to your room alone. For some women, that solitude becomes a gift — time to rest, create, and think. For others, it is the hardest part of the job.

If you have children or a partner, this is a conversation to have before day one. Your household needs a real game plan. And if you are someone who has been trying to be everything to everyone, this career will push you to let some of that go.

I know that tension well. Here is a post I wrote about releasing the pressure of being the “perfect” working mom:

→  Stop Being the Perfect Working Mom

7. Think Seriously About Multiple Streams of Income

A flight attendant salary is solid — but I have never believed in relying on a single income source. This career creates margin that most 9-to-5 jobs simply do not offer. I have used layovers, hotel evenings, and off days to build Sherley’s Show into a full podcast and content business. That did not happen by accident. It happened because I made a decision to use the time this career gave me intentionally.

If you are a woman with a vision — a business, a brand, a creative platform, a side income stream — this career can give you the space to build it. That is not a small thing.

8. Know What Training Involves

Before you ever step onto a plane as crew, you will go through a rigorous training program. It covers safety procedures, emergency protocols, first aid, customer service standards, and airline-specific policies. You will be tested. You must pass. There are no shortcuts. Go in treating day one of training like the job has already started — because it has.

9. Understand the Physical and Emotional Demands

This is a physically demanding job. You are on your feet, lifting bags, moving through a narrow cabin, managing time zone shifts, and working irregular hours. Your body will feel it, especially in the early years. Building habits around rest, nutrition, and movement will serve you well.

Emotionally, the job requires patience, composure, and the ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations. You are a safety professional first. That responsibility is present on every single flight, regardless of how routine it seems.

10. Embrace the Lifestyle — All of It

Being a flight attendant is not just a job. It is a lifestyle. Your schedule will look nothing like your friends’. You will miss events. You will also experience things most people only see in photographs. The women who thrive in this career are the ones who embrace it fully — the flexibility, the demands, the adventure, and the opportunity it creates. If that sounds like you, this might be exactly the path you have been looking for.

10 Reasons Being a Flight Attendant Is Worth It

Still weighing it? Here is why I would choose this career all over again:

1. Unmatched schedule flexibility for moms, wives, and women building businesses
2. Travel benefits — for you and often for your family
3. Job stability in a growing industry
4. Built-in margin to pursue additional income streams and passions
5. A front-row seat to the world — literally
6. A community of colleagues who become family
7. The pride of being a certified safety professional
8. Benefits packages that are competitive in the workforce
9. Seniority-based growth that rewards you for staying
10. An office 35,000 feet in the air — and a life no one else can replicate

Key Takeaways

✓  Research airlines thoroughly — apply to the one that fits your life, not just the biggest name. ✓  Apply to at least three airlines and be patient with the process. ✓  Know your hub options and go in ready to be flexible. ✓  Get clear on your ‘why’ before you ever submit an application. ✓  The schedule is flexible — use that margin with intention. ✓  Have honest conversations with your family about time away from home. ✓  This career creates real space for multiple streams of income. ✓  Training is demanding — treat day one like the job has already started. ✓  Know the physical and emotional realities going in. ✓  The women who thrive here embrace the full lifestyle — all of it.

Also: Check Out Sherley’s Show

Outside of flying, I am the Executive Producer and host of Sherley’s Show — a podcast primarily focused on relationships. If that is something you are interested in, do not hesitate to check it out. You can find it at sherleysshow.com.

Thinking About Starting Your Own Podcast?

If you are even remotely interested in creating your own podcast, do not hesitate to check out the educational side of Sherley’s Show on the website. There are free resources, guides, and tools available to help you get started. Visit sherleysshow.com to explore everything that is available to you.

Have Questions About Becoming a Flight Attendant?

If you have any questions or concerns about getting started in this career, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly. I read every message and I am happy to help. You can contact me through the website at sherleysshow.com.

Be Yourself. Voice Yourself. Love Yourself.

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Sherley’s Show is learning and growing every single day. We aim to uplift all marginalized voices both on this podcast and in real life. Please note that we are always striving to change the problematic language that society has internalized in us. Thank you for your patience as we aim to strip certain phrases from our vocabulary.

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