Lindsay
We’re running a series on our instructors – but the side you don’t see in the studio every day. Get to know our team even better through these interviews and hopefully we can all connect on an even deeper level.
We caught up with Lindsay. And by caught up – we actually caught her on a layover. When Lindsay isn’t teaching at SPARKCYCLE, she’s literally in the air. Lindsay is a flight attendant and spends most of the week flying (still…we’ll get to that) but answered some flight attendant FAQs on a layover. If you’ve taken her class, you know she is super upbeat and friendly and when you combine that with her love of travel, we think being a flight attendant is the prefect job for her (obviously in addition to teaching at SPARKCYCLE).
p.s. editor’s note: I have always been interested in the flight attendant career and have even googled some of these exact questions before so am very happy to have all of these answers in one place. Thank you, Lindsay!
Okay so first of all – you’re still working. What is it like flying during this coronavirus pandemic?
Yes, I’m still flying. My airline has reduced flights by 80%, so it’s affected how many hours I fly per month, but I’m still very thankful to have my job! Close to 8,000 flight attendants have volunteered to take time off in April which is both incredible and surreal. My flights have gone from totally booked with 200 people on board to maybe 5-10 people per flight. It’s eerie working out of an empty airport and I am concerned of the long-term effects this will have on the airline industry.
Obviously most travel has been cancelled but since you’re still flying, what safety precautions are you taking to keep yourself and passengers safe)?
As an airline, we are doing everything possible to create a clean and safe environment. Airplanes are getting thoroughly cleaned with a fogging agent and disinfectant. Flight attendants and pilots are wearing gloves and masks. We have changed our service standards to have minimum contact with passengers, so we don’t do a full beverage/snack service. Passengers are spread out throughout the aircraft to adhere to social distancing guidelines. On the plane you can always bring your own wipes and hand sanitizer. We are doing our best to be a part of the solution and we’ll continue to make changes to prevent spread of COVID-19.
PLEASE STAY SAFE. Do you have any advice during this time?
My general advice is to take a moment and appreciate every person you have in your life. Reach out to your family and friends, even your neighbors. A simple text can go a long way! If you live in an apartment building, ask your management if there’s any older people in the building who need help grocery shopping. Support small businesses and restaurants when you can. Be kind and do your part by staying inside and taking the proper precautions when you do have to leave your house. We can all be a part of ending the spreading of this disease. Stay informed and stay positive!
I’m crying. Aside from all of this craziness, you have a super interesting (other) job. How long have you been a flight attendant and which airline do you work for?
I’ve been a light attendant for 5 years and have spent all of them with Delta Air Lines. I’ve been based in Minneapolis, New York City, Salt Lake City, and now Los Angeles. I obviously live in San Diego so my commute to work is a 25-minute flight to LAX.
How did you become a flight attendant?
I applied online! After 5 interviews I was sent to Atlanta for two months of training where I learned everything from taking care of a nervous flyer, to putting out fires, to evacuating an airplane in 90 seconds. Not one day was spent on customer service. At 30,000 feet we are your police, doctors, firefighters, and more. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I first applied.
Do you always fly the same route?
I don’t have a normal flying route at all! I get sent all over the world. One day I’ll be in Texas, the next I’ll be in Amsterdam, the next I’ll be in the Dominican Republic.
How long are your layovers?
I’m on the ground in a city anywhere from 10 hours to 72 hours.
What do you do when you’re in a city on a layover?
I love to eat! I love to try local food and find a brewery or something that’s not really tourist-y. I love when passengers give me suggestions of their favorite places. I also enjoy attending sporting events and concerts in different cities.
What do you love most about your job?
I love traveling the world and the flight benefits! I fly for free, my family flies for free, and my future husband/children will fly for free. I also enjoy working with and networking with people from all around the world. The schedule is really flexible and it only gets better with seniority.
And the obvious follow up, what is your least favorite thing about your job?
I’m away from home a lot and can pass through multiple time zones in one day. Sleeping in a new time zone each night can definitely be challenging! Also, staying in shape/eating healthy while constantly traveling isn’t easy so let me know if you have any tips!
I’ve seen some weird things on planes but imagine it doesn’t come close to what you’ve dealt with. Do you have any crazy passenger stories?
I have some WILD stories. I’ve had cats escape their kennels, passengers get into fist fights, and even the occasional attempt of passengers trying to join the “mile high club.” I’ve even had to arrest someone and cuff them on the airplane so we could land and wait for police to get involved on the ground. The most common thing is people getting motion sickness or getting too drunk on the airplane.
Have you ever been afraid while flying?
99% of the time, no. In my whole career I’ve had two occasions that terrified me. One time the airplane was struck by lightning which punctured the boarding door and another time our landing gear failed. Both times we were able to land safely. Always trust your pilots and flight attendants! We are well trained for these situations and if we say sit down and fasten your seatbelt, please listen!
I feel like you go everywhere. What are your favorite places that you’ve traveled?
This is probably the most difficult one to answer because truly every place is unique and beautiful in its own way. If I had to pick, I would say Italy, Japan, and basically any place with a beach!
How many countries/states have you visited?
I’ve been to 27 countries and 43 states. My first year flying I went to 286 destinations worldwide. My goal this year is to hit 30 countries.
How many flights can you work in one day?
I can work 1-4 flights per day and I fly 3-6 days a week. So yes, I’m on an airplane A LOT. We can work up to 15 hours in one day.
How do you get paid?
We get paid by the flight hour, which means the boarding door needs to be closed – so we’re not getting paid during boarding or deplaning or if there is a flight delay. It’s not a normal 40-hour work week; I usually fly 80-120 hours a month. This doesn’t include layovers and time away from my base.
What’s your biggest pet peeve on an airplane?
When passengers don’t remove their headphones as I’m talking to them. Or when they poke me/tug on my skirt to get my attention. Never touch your flight attendant! Kindly say “excuse me” and I promise we will help you. There’s usually 200+ passengers and 4 of us flight attendants so we are doing our best to take care of everyone!
Do flight attendants sleep during the flights?
If a flight is blocked at 7 or more hours then we get to take a nap. The dual aisle airplanes have small bunk beds for us during the longer flights.
Last tips to be an all star passenger?
Your flight attendants are very under appreciated. Please don’t forget to say hello, goodbye, and thank you. We love when passengers bring us treats! Chocolate, hand sanitizer, gift cards for coffee. You may even get special treatment during your flight ;)
THANK YOU FOR SHARING!! And please please please stay safe!
