My Flight Attendant Journey
In light of International Flight Attendant Day last May 31 and my two-year hiring anniversary, I thought I’d share how my journey came to be.
Along with other essential workers, flight attendants all around the world are in the front line of this pandemic. Some airlines have completely halted operations while some, like ours, have continued despite significant reductions in routes. I’ve been warned early enough than in this job, you have to be resilient. May it be a long duty day, a modified assigned trip, or unexpected incidents inflight, a flight attendant should be ready at all costs. As much as I’ve been prepared to work under such flexibility however, nothing ever came close to these uncertain times. They say this pandemic is probably the most challenging the aviation industry has ever faced, even exceeding the 9/11 aftermath. There had been some reports that flying demands have been slowly picking up again this month but, while the foreseeable future might still be hazy, I know I’m ready to endure it all until we get through this crisis.
My late mom, who was a flight attendant herself for many years, disapproved of me following her footsteps. Understandably so, I knew she didn’t want me to go through all the toil that comes with the career. It’s often glamorous and exhilarating but behind the stereotype, there are inevitable hardships, too.
For this very reason, I didn’t consider pursuing it when I was growing up. It was always in the back of my mind but, my passion for writing led me to a different direction in college. Journalism was something I know I would enjoy learning about and I want to learn more about. I considered it as a serious profession and thought nothing else would come close to it.
In 2016, I had the opportunity to move to the US through my dad. Not knowing where to start creating a footing for myself in journalism, my flight attendant dream was rekindled. I was living with my half-brother then in Palmdale, California– a city in the deserts of Los Angeles. See, prior to my move, I’ve never been to the States. I only knew of LA from how it is depicted in movies and TV shows. Palmdale, however, is a stark contrast from the glitzy streets of Hollywood. My dad, who lives in Florida, warned me early enough that living there meant I need to drive to get around. I found the area too remote, too, coming from how fast-paced Manila is. I was immediately discouraged (apart from the extreme homesickness I was feeling,) but I still took my chances.
April 2016
I first applied to my current airline a little over a month since my arrival. Weirdly, I can recall myself, way back in high school, frequenting their website and learning about the job requirements. I can practically recite it with my eyes closed (which came in handy when my actual interview came.) I guess, I always knew I wanted it but it seemed too far-fetched of a dream.
The power of manifestation paid off and I got an invite for a virtual interview about a week later. I had to don myself in corporate attire, put my hair up, and do my make-up properly as I answer questions in front of my phone. I even researched about tips online and apparently, even the quality of your video is an important factor to consider.
I think I had my fair share of stutters here and there but to my surprise, I was called for a face-to-face interview in San Francisco shortly after, the penultimate stage before I get hired. The airline would be flying me out from my preferred airport but since it will be a two-day event, my accommodation won’t be shouldered. My dad was so excited for me and was generous enough to book me a hotel room for my interview.
Somehow, I kind of talked myself out of it (which looking back was not a smart move.) I was still overwhelmed with the whole idea of moving to this huge country by myself and honestly, the thought that I need to drive to get from point A to point B intimidated me a lot. This was back when Uber was just starting out and given how everything is spread-out in Palmdale, I didn’t see it as a viable option. I probably also listened to the wrong people-those who just discouraged me further and told me how ridiculous my plan was. I ended up forgoing the interview. My mind was just too clouded at that point and heck, I couldn’t even find a ride from Palmdale to LAX which would take about two hours.
May 2016
As the saying goes “If your dreams don’t scare you, they aren’t big enough.” After regrouping myself, I found an opportunity to apply for Cathay Pacific. At the time, they had their LA, SF, and New York bases in which the flight attendants would solely operate flights to Hong Kong. To be based in LAX and be in Asia all the time sounded like a stellar package to me. I didn’t mind the repetitive route and moreover, thought it was perfect for me as they were looking for Tagalog speakers.
This time, I made sure I’d get to the interview no matter how it takes. I took the Metro from Palmdale to downtown LA, which took about three hours. It felt so crazy commuting that far, going through all the valleys of the Antelope until finally, reaching urbanity once I arrived in LA’s Union Station. From there, I took another bus to get to LAX. It wasn’t that far, now that I look back on it, but I got stuck in the infamous LA traffic on the way.
I remember being in a room with about thirty other applicants or so. I was so happy finally seeing other Filipinos after a month of what seemed like an eternal reclusion (I sound dramatic now but it really felt like that.) There were Koreans, Vietnamese, Chinese, and people from different backgrounds there, too, who drove from as far as San Diego and other counties. Our heights were first measured which I successfully passed even if I was just an inch shy from their minimum requirement. We then got tested for our fluency in our foreign language, both written and orally.
Later that day, we were divided for a group interview where we were given situations and got assessed as to how we would handle them. I think the recruiters were looking for teamwork and leadership from that activity which I probably didn’t show enough. After the three-part process, I didn’t have an inkling if I did well with the whole interview. I just remember feeling exhausted as I made my three-hour commute back to Palmdale.
I got the rejection letter a few days after and thought that was the end of me trying.
June 2017
About a year after, I’m in a totally different headspace. My first attempt to move to the US took a dreary turn and I had to go back home to the Philippines to rethink my plans. This time, I moved to New York, knowing some high school friends who live there, and gave it a shot. I had a better gauge now of how living in the US is and I wasn’t starting from scratch. I can commute in the city, too, which meant my options are no longer limited. I submitted a couple of applications to different airlines, both mainline and regional, and it was in June when I first heard back (again!) from my current one. I thought that must be a good sign as they were giving me a second chance.
October 2017
My whole application process took a while. I think I came in a time where our airline suspended hiring for at least a year and they were just in the midst of resuming training classes. In October, I flew to Houston for that same face-to-face interview I let go just a year ago. This time, more confident, more sure, and more prepared than before. I really think I could’ve not pursued it at a better time.
I didn’t tell anyone I was applying for the job so I had to stealthily fly from La Guardia to Houston. My dad was in town for a business trip and much to his surprise when he called me, I was already in Texas. I had to confess that I’m attending an interview the next day and I got some much-needed advice. My dad is an aviation man himself, an aircraft mechanic for many years now and knew the right words to impart with me.
I arrived at the interview facility early the next day. I was so excited and just had all the right energy. Along with other 50 candidates or so, we were pulled one by one for an individual interview. I was lucky enough to be one of the first ones to move along. The first part turned out to be a quick 5-minute interview consisting of basic questions and situational scenarios. I remember being asked how I would approach a passenger if they refuse to close their laptop before takeoff. I also took my dad’s advice which I think helped me to a great extent.
After which, those who are done were placed in a separate, smaller room. I was bracing for a group interview basing from my previous experience but it just turned out to be a holding area. Shortly after, I was called to move to another room for the next part. Two representatives with the biggest smile on their faces welcomed me. They ran through my answers from earlier and confirmed a few things here and there, just like how willing I was to relocate (an essential part of the job.)
And there it goes. I got the conditional job offer! I was over the moon! The whole process took me about thirty minutes and as early as 8:30 am, I was already on my way to the health clinic for my medical examination. I can’t believe how things went by so fast. I can hardly grasp the idea.
March 2018
Good things really take time as I waited another five months for my training to begin. I would be back in Houston for six weeks to earn my wings before I can actually start flying. It felt like going back to school and I was very excited. During that training, I met some of my closest friends in the airline whom I still keep in touch with up to this day. My roommate from day 1 eventually became my roommate for a year when we got based in Newark (I miss you, Jill!) We were thrown into a rigorous classroom setting where we had exams every week. I was keeping a strict routine then where I would wake up at 5 am for our 7 am class, workout once we get back to our hotel (just for my sanity,) and then review at night before I go to bed at 9 pm.
Unfortunately, midway through it, just before I even get to reach our aircraft specific lessons, I had to go home to New York. It was like forgoing my chance all over again! I was so depressed for days not knowing when I can have the opportunity to apply again. It seemed like the longest weekend ever until they reached out to me and said I can join a later class that would start in a month.
I was so sad seeing my former classmates graduate in April while I haven’t even started going back to square one in May.
May 2018
All the detours I had to go through just made me even more focused this time around. I had to start the training from the very beginning even if it’s the same exact curriculum. Come the third week, lessons became harder but I can already see the end of the finish line.
It may have not been the most conventional way, but I am so grateful to attend that second class. I made more friends and more memories, even landing the “Flying Above and Beyond” award on our graduation day for being too participative, haha.
June 2018
Finally, my two-year endeavor came to a full circle on June 7, 2018. We were allowed to have two guests who can fly over to attend the ceremony and I was so happy my dad made it. He even took me to a celebratory dinner the night before and showed up on our graduation in a suit. He was the cutest.
It’s a moment that I would forever hold in my heart. My dad never got the chance to attend any of my school graduations but this somehow made up for all of that. My favorite instructor even pinned me my first pair of wings. Ahh, up until today, I never get tired relishing these memories.
I am so happy that one of my most stubborn qualities is how I don’t give up if I really want something. Early on, I could’ve been easily discouraged not knowing what’s in store for me if I do pursue it. How this job didn’t seem to promise stability. But I know I had to find these out myself and I would regret it if I won’t at least try.
Two years in and we’re now facing the biggest challenge ever. Air travel demand has plummeted since April and the fate of the industry is still shaky. I sometimes still can’t believe that we would experience it in this lifetime. But if this is just another detour in my long story of achieving the dream, I’m more than willing to stay and fight for it again.