Three Things You Need to Be a Successful Private Flight Attendant
One week after completing my initial flight attendant training, I was on a Falcon 900 for my first trip. Two months into the profession, I was hired full-time by a charter company. After eight months, I became the lead flight attendant on a part 91 account. Momentum seemed to bless my career path from the very beginning.
How did I go from a total industry newbie to landing a top-tier prestigious gig in less time than it takes for a human baby to gestate?
I had three crucial things that led to my success as a flight attendant.
1) Luck
People like to shit on being lucky. The misconception is luck hands things to people who don't deserve them. Luck is an ick kind of privilege. What people don’t understand is there are different kinds of luck. Blind luck is the accidental, out-of-nowhere good fortune that we’re all familiar with. For example, finding $20 on the ground or hitting every green light when you’re late for an appointment is blind luck at its finest. You don’t have to do anything — the good shit just happens! Another type of luck is the real X factor: the luck of motion. It’s based on action — simply by doing something, you will be more likely to encounter luck. This second type of luck was instrumental in helping me. I recognized that just because I completed flight attendant training, opportunities wouldn’t automatically find me. I had to do something about it.
I was out to dinner with a group of friends, one of whom, happened to be a fellow flight attendant. I was sitting next to her when she got a text from a pilot.
“What is IFCC?” Her face scrunched up in confusion. “Do you know what it is?”
“It’s an aviation staffing agency.” I was amused. How did I, who had been in the industry for like five minutes at this point, know about IFCC while someone with almost four years of experience didn’t? “You got a trip offer?” I nodded towards her phone.
“Yeah, but the pilot says I need to be IFCC registered. They want more safety training, too. Ugh, this account seems very by the book.” She rolled her eyes in disgust.
“I’m registered with IFCC and I have that training. If you don’t want the trip, I could do it.” I offered with a casual shrug of my shoulders. I wasn’t trying to poach her trip but I did see an opportunity.
“I’ll give him your info. You’re more type A. This will be a better fit for you.”
“Cool.” I smiled, the attempted insult rolling off my back. If being "type A" meant being prepared and qualified, I was totes down for anal.
I had both kinds of luck going for me here. I had no idea I would be with a flight attendant when she would have to turn down a job offer for qualifications she didn’t have but I did. I was in the right place at the right time. I was also lucky she was willing to share my information. She certainly didn’t have to. I got a combo of luck and connections with that (more on connections coming up). Because I had taken action to get my name out there utilizing tools like IFCC, I created luck of motion. I was able to take advantage of an opportunity when it was presented.
Luck has a way of attracting more luck much the same way being positive or grateful will bring more of the same. The pilot reached out to me and I got booked for the trip. It was a simple day trip, up and back to Canada from Florida for a part 91 account. Two days after the trip, the pilot called me again. It just so happened the account was looking to hire a full-time flight attendant. And they wanted to hire me.
“After one flight?” Given my penchant for self-doubt, I was suspicious. Luckily enough for me, the lead passengers and crew didn’t feel the same.
My luck led me right to the account that I’m flying for today.
2) Connections
This may be a bit cliché, but your network matters. And it matters quite a bit in private aviation. Prestige, privilege, and discretion are at the core of the industry. Getting the first flight is often the most daunting challenge. Knowing someone in the industry is the fastest way in the door. This can be aggravating if you have a non-existent network. I was lucky enough to be good friends with a flight attendant. She introduced me to a pilot she worked with who needed more flight attendants. And that pilot was the first to hire me.
Similar to how luck is frowned upon, being well-connected can incite some bombastic side-eye. I suggest you keep your judgy eyes straight ahead because here’s the truth you need to remember: someone will get a first chance because of who they know, however, that doesn’t mean they will get another one. If you have an industry connection, the best thing you can do is ensure that you’re a connection worth keeping (a.k.a be someone people want to hire). In his book, Endless Referrals, Bob Burg says it best: “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like, and trust.”
This leads me to the third thing you need…
3) Hustle
You can have the all connections and luck in the world. If you don’t have the hustle to back it up, you won’t last. Relying on the same connections time and time again, you risk missing out on other opportunities. You also chance wearing out your welcome.
I had connections but I have to admit, I was uncomfortable getting jobs solely because I knew someone. Before getting into aviation, I was in the medical profession. I had a fancy degree, certifications, and experience to show my value. As a new flight attendant, all I had was aviation friends. For the first time in my life, I’d been given an opportunity not because of my merit or work. I felt icky about it so I turned the ick into motivation to make my own connections.
I spent hours on my laptop — Googling aviation companies, cold emailing, and monitoring Facebook groups for any opportunity. I wasn’t high and mighty about my day rate. I needed the experience more than an extra $200. All that hustle paid off.
“Guess what? I just got a call for a trip from a pilot that’s not you!” I had a ginormous smile on my face. I was on my second trip with the first and only pilot who had hired me so far. Even though I was kind of gloating at his expense, he couldn’t help but smile at my excitement.
The calls for trips became more regular. To maintain the new connections I was making, I made sure I hustled on the trips. I showed up early, focused on respectful and clear communication, and did things without being told. Turns out, people love it when you show initiative. My take-charge attitude is what got me my full-time charter gig.
I had a Zoom interview with a charter company from a job posting I had pounced on in a Facebook group. The interview went well but there was one issue — the initial flight attendant training I had didn’t meet the company's safety training requirements.
“I love that even though you’re new, you’ve already done two long trips. Being on the road for up to two weeks can be hard for people. You know what that’s like so it won’t be a surprise.” The interviewer pursed her lips. “But the safety training would have to happen to move forward so we’ll have to consider that factor.”
As soon as I got off that Zoom, I scheduled myself for the safety training. I wasn’t jazzed at dropping a couple more grand on training. I knew it would be money well spent though. Whether or not I got the position, more training would only bring me more opportunities. I emailed the interviewer to let her know the safety training would no longer be an issue. The next time we spoke, I got the job offer.
“I liked that you just took care of the training, even without knowing you had the job.”
If I had waited for the job before doing the training, I don’t think I would have gotten it. Sometimes hustle isn’t cheap up front however it will pay off in the end.
Do you really need all three?
Yes… and no.
Connections, luck, and hustle are the holy trinity to kick off a flight attendant career (or any career tbh!). While all three are important, hustle is the superpower behind luck and connections. Ernest Hemingway says it best in Old Man and The Sea, “It is better to be lucky. But I would rather be exact. Then when luck comes you are ready.”
Whether you call it hustle or being exact, if you use it to take advantage of the opportunities that come your way, you’re certain to fly high.
