Do flight attendants have to live where they are based?

No, flight attendants don't have to live in their base city, but junior ones often do or live very close due to reserve duty requiring quick call-ins (within 1-2 hours) for last-minute flights, while more senior FAs commute from afar using standby flights and "crash pads" (shared housing near the base) for better work-life balance, though commuting is tiring and requires careful planning.

Can you live anywhere and be a flight attendant?

Yes, flight attendants can live almost anywhere, but they must be able to reliably get to their assigned airline base airport for work, often by commuting via standby flights, driving, or living in a "crash pad" (shared housing) near base. While it's possible to live far away, it's challenging and less common for new hires who often move closer to their base, while senior FAs can live further out due to better flight benefits and schedule flexibility.
 

Do flight attendants live where they are based?

Flight Attendants might spend more time living in hotels than they do at their own houses. Flight attendants are based out of different cities every few months and their home base is usually somewhere else on the other side of the country!

Can you choose where you are based as a flight attendant?

New hires receive a list of available bases before training, giving them time to consider their options. Flight attendants can bid for their preferred bases, but final assignments are still determined by operational needs, meaning you may not always receive your top choice.

Do you have to relocate to become a flight attendant?

Yes, you often have to be willing to relocate or commute to an airline's base city, especially early in your career, as your first assignment isn't guaranteed to be near you; new hires on "reserve" must be close (often within 1-2 hours) to respond quickly, though senior flight attendants with more flexibility can often commute long distances from home. While you can't choose your first base, you'll either need to move, rent a "crash pad," or handle the stress of commuting, with transfers becoming easier with seniority. 

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What disqualifies you from becoming a flight attendant?

Disqualifications for flight attendants include major criminal offenses (felonies, security breaches), significant health issues (uncontrolled conditions, severe vision/hearing loss, substance abuse), failure to pass drug/alcohol tests, lack of essential skills (swimming), and potentially certain appearance issues or inability to travel (e.g., for Canadian entry). Requirements also cover age, education (HS Diploma/GED), language fluency (English), and passing background/security checks.
 

What is the 35 7 rule for flight attendants?

The 35-in-7 rule applies only to Reserve Flight Attendants and provides that a Reserve may not be scheduled to exceed 35 flight hours in any seven (7) consecutive 24-hour periods.

Can flight attendants make $100,000 a year?

With experience, senior flight attendants may make around $80,287 annually, and some can earn as much as $115,000 or more per year. Pay is typically hourly and starts when the aircraft door closes, meaning preflight work (like boarding and prep) is often unpaid.

What were the last words of the 9 11 flight attendant?

After reporting valuable information for about 20 minutes, her final words to Woodward were, “I see water. I see buildings. We're flying low, we're flying way too low.” Moments later, the aircraft crashed through the North Tower, killing all aboard.

What is the 45 minute rule for American airlines?

The American Airlines 45-minute rule means you must be checked in (and bags checked) at least 45 minutes before domestic flights and 60 minutes before international flights, though this can be longer at busy airports; missing this deadline means your seat or bags may not be accepted, ensuring time for baggage processing and security, notes American Airlines and Wanderlog.
 

What is the age limit for flight attendants?

There's generally no upper age limit for flight attendants, but airlines set minimum age requirements, usually between 18 and 21, with many requiring 20 or 21 at training completion, plus significant customer service experience and physical ability to meet safety standards. Airlines value life experience, so older applicants with relevant backgrounds (like hospitality) are often sought after, with no federal cap on how old you can be to work as one, notes AARP. 

What is the 62 inch rule on Delta?

Delta's 62-inch rule sets the maximum size for a standard checked bag at 62 linear inches (Length + Width + Height, including wheels/handles) for most flights, with a typical 50 lb (23 kg) weight limit, meaning bags over this dimension are considered oversized and incur extra fees, though sports equipment often has special handling. 

Can I live off being a flight attendant?

This is not a healthy mindset. It is possible to live on this minimum wage pay, but it requires discipline, and awareness. It's not always fun, but if you are able to find a balance for yourself between spending, and saving, living independently on what a flight attendant makes, you will give yourself a gift.

What's the downside of being a flight attendant?

Some challenges flight attendants might face include on-call scheduling, time away from home, often working on weekends and holidays, frequent time zone changes, limited growth opportunities and travel delays.

How do flight attendants afford to live?

A lot of FA's live in a crash pad the first year or two, basically an apartment with a lot of roommates. Works out since everyone is usually flying quite a bit, so there's never a full house. The pay increases quite a bit over the next few years, and the top out pay is comfortable.

Which airline pays flight attendants the most?

While pay varies, Delta Air Lines consistently ranks at or near the top for total compensation, including hourly rates and profit sharing, followed closely by American Airlines and United, with recent contracts boosting pay significantly across the major carriers, though specialized or cargo airlines like Everts Air can offer higher annual figures, and Emirates provides tax-free income and benefits for international roles. 

How many bodies are still missing from 9/11?

After 24 years, the NYC medical examiner still works to identify 9/11 victims 1,100 people killed on 9/11 in New York City have not had any of their remains identified by authorities.

How much money do plane crash victims get?

Victims of commercial airline crashes may receive anywhere from $250,000 to several million dollars, depending on the extent of injuries and liability. In cases involving wrongful death, settlement values often increase due to loss of future earnings and emotional trauma to surviving family members.

Do flight attendants only get paid when the door is closed?

Yes, traditionally, most U.S. airline flight attendants only start getting paid their hourly rate once the aircraft doors close, meaning significant time spent preparing the plane, boarding passengers, and during delays on the ground often goes uncompensated, though this is a major point of contention in recent contract negotiations, with some airlines like Delta starting to offer boarding pay. This long-standing practice means flight attendants might work several hours for little or no pay before the flight officially begins, leading to demands for paid ground time.
 

Who pays more, Delta or Southwest?

At top pay, you'd make the most at Southwest at ninety-2 dollars and eightythree cents per hour or about eighty-nine $100 per year with American Delta and Alaska all pretty close in second at about $86, 000 furthermore if you do work a lot of boarding hours you could actually be about equal between Delta Southwest ...

Which airline is best for salary?

For pilots, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines consistently offer the highest salaries in the U.S., with senior captains potentially earning over $400,000 annually, while for flight attendants, Middle Eastern carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways are known for top pay, often tax-free, plus accommodation, notes from 2024-2025 suggest. 

What disqualifies a flight attendant?

Disqualifications for flight attendants include major criminal offenses (felonies, security breaches), significant health issues (uncontrolled conditions, severe vision/hearing loss, substance abuse), failure to pass drug/alcohol tests, lack of essential skills (swimming), and potentially certain appearance issues or inability to travel (e.g., for Canadian entry). Requirements also cover age, education (HS Diploma/GED), language fluency (English), and passing background/security checks.
 

What are the 5 C's of flight?

That's why flight instructors teach a timeless checklist known as the “Five C's” — a set of actions to help pilots remain calm, regain situational awareness, and navigate back to safety. The 5 C's are: Climb, Conserve, Call, Confess, and Comply.

Why do flight attendants have to be 5'2"?

Most airlines have height requirements, typically ranging from around 5'2" to 6'2" (158 cm to 188 cm), though these can vary. Here's why height is important: Safety Protocols: Cabin crew need to access overhead compartments and emergency equipment quickly and efficiently.