Twenty three years ago I announced to my friends and family that I wanted to become a Flight Attendant for Southwest Airlines. This announcement was met with raised eyebrows, as I was considered by some as not being suited for this profession. "Why not?" you say. "You are not going to wear those shorts, are you?" my best friend asked. "What about your degree in speech therapy?" my father questioned. "You are going to abandon me?" my 17-year-old son complained. My only support came from my husband who said, "I always wanted to sleep with a Flight Attendant, but I never thought it would be you!"
For Christmas that year, all the gifts had been opened that were under the tree. Ready to disband, my brother said, "Wait - there's one more gift!" He leaves the room for a minute and comes back with a size 2 Southwest Airlines uniform; a pair of plastic Flight Attendant wings, and a roundtrip ticket to Austin. "Put these on and work a round trip to Austin and back. I bet you change your mind!"
Every night, I lay in bed thinking about interview questions I might be asked and acceptable answers. I had answers to questions I have yet to be asked! I received my letter asking me to come for a Group Interview. Now came the hard part: What am I going to wear? I decided on a red wool suit that was similar to the Flight Attendant uniform at the time. I bought new camel colored pumps (closed toe and heel) and matching purse. Looking the part, I reported to the Headquarters Building in Dallas.
The chairs in the interview room were arranged in a horseshoe shape. I headed for the middle seat. The applicant sitting beside me asked if I would put her keys in my new purse since she didn't bring one. She was to become one of my best friends to this day. We were asked to stand up, spell our names, tell something about ourselves and why we wanted to fly for SWA. When I stood up, I went to the front of the room and just knew I was going to slip and fall on my face. I should have worn those new shoes previously so the soles weren't slick! I told them that, when I reached my midlife crisis, I didn't know whether to go to medical school (the residency for brain surgery was so long) or become a fry cook at Denny's (even though I had lost my taste for that sort of thing). Then I realized I would be a perfect fit for the job of Flight Attendant because I had waited on people hand and foot; I could talk to a wrong number for fifteen minutes; and I had certainly worked for peanuts. I hoped Southwest Airlines would agree!"
Well, they did agree and I've been grateful ever since.
Comments
I'm from Thailand, but now I leaving in Honolulu.
I would like to be flight attendent but I'm holding I 20 ( student visa).
Is it posible for me to study to be flight attendent in Hawaii with I 20?
Thank you
Hi everyone,
Some advice from our People Department...
People should reapply online to be considered each time we post a position. We also suggest that people set up a job alert so that when we post a position, they will get an email alerting them that the job is available. And as always, http://www.southwest.com/careers/ is your best bet!
Good luck!
Hello, I reside in Savannah Georgia. I applied to be a flightattendant with Southwest in 2008. I visit your website almost daily praying that there would be a employment link for needed flightattendants. Does anyone have an idea when Southwest will be hiriing again for flightattendants? Thanks for your kindness and reply.
HI, I am 18 years old. I graduated High School this year and I am currently attending college. I have always wanted to be a flight attendant, I love flying and I like working with people. I work part time in a fast food place. I would like to know as much information about this career as possible. Even though I have an idea to what I want to major in, I still would rather follow my dream of becoming a flight attendant!! Please help me if you can!
Thank You,
Evelina
Are there any schools you recommend for becoming a flight attendant? I am 23, and have always wanted to be a one. After reading your story, I figure why not give it a shot!!
Thanks,
Julia Anne
I am a senior in high school this year and as many teachers are having us discuss what we wat for our future careers i've begun to realize that I would love to be a Fligh Attendant for SWA. I have always loved flying my whole life and i am ready for a big change! So if anyone could give me information on becoming a flight attendant. I live in the midwest and i am just ready for a new beginning after high school so pleace help me find more about how to become a flight attendant for SWA. thank you!!!
hi... I'm 18 years old, 5'6 in height proportional body.. and I'm taking up Bachelor science in nursing.. and I 'll be graduating by 2011... and i want to be a flight attendant... how can I apply?? ... can you tell me about the interviews.. etc... thanks.. =)
I have been thinking about doing something different in my life at the age of 45. I have always thought of being a flight attendant. Now that my children are older I would love to look into this. Where do I start? I live in Sparks NV. and live close to Reno/Tahoe International Airport.. Would I have to move to a home base like some place in California...
If you could help me out so I know what I need to do next.
Thank you,
JG
I'm looking to change my career from nursing to become a fight attendant; can you please tell me the first step to take?
My name is Derrick Chan and I am an Administrative Assistant for the Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute at the University of California at San Francisco. I was wondering whether you had any contacts to flight attendant mailing lists or union representatives to try to reach out to flight attendants to participate in our study posted below. I have been unable to find any contacts for Southwest Airlines in particular. Thank you for your time and I hope to hear from you soon.
EPHI: Flight Attendant Medical Research Institute Study
The University of California, San Francisco in a study involving all flight attendants over the age of 40 with a minimum of 5 years flight experience. We are looking at the effects of second hand smoke and its correlation with lung and heart disease and hoping you would all be willing to participate. Participants should expect to have a Pulmonary Function test (PFT) and an examination by one of our physicians.
Patients will be paid $100.00 approximately 6-8 weeks on completion of their appointment. In addition, volunteers will receive a parking voucher and lunch vouchers for use at the UCSF Cafeteria.
Whether or not they participate in the clinical study, we would like flight attendants to complete our online questionnaire found at http://www.imenet.net/UCSFQuest/
If you have any suggestions on how to reach other flight attendants, please contact us at FAMRI@ucsfmedctr.org. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!