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Corporate Flight
Attendant Job Hunting Tips
I will
not pretend that this is the easiest topic to write about. In fact, my
knowledge of how one finds work as a private flight attendant is based
chiefly on what others have shared with me. You can find some useful
tips within the many threads written on the Corporate Flight Attendant
Community forum, but to save you from culling through hundreds of
threads I will highlight various standout points and include others
that have been shared with me over the past several years by industry
insiders:
Cold
calling. Time honored and time tested this is an important method
for finding work and it is also one of the hardest for the majority of
people to do. If you do not have the skills to contact strangers you
will find an important avenue for securing work omitted. Even the
unskilled can accomplish much by attempting this step...practice,
practice, practice and you will get the hang of it. You many never feel
comfortable doing it, but you accomplish much by trying. Always keep
this in mind: every person that you meet is a potential contact for
helping you find work; conversely, you may also be able to help someone
out too.
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Attend
conferences/meetings. Attending NBAA related conferences and events
will get your name and face out there. Preferably, you would also
attend events where a lot of pilots hang out, especially pilots of
cabin class jets which include the Global Express, G-V and Falcon Jet
2000. The NBAA's annual conference is a very important venue for
networking as well as are their one-day regional conferences.
If you
are an NBAA member you get a copy of their directory which lists many
companies that fly these very same jets. In addition, membership will
give you access to their message boards and other important information
on events that they host. How about attending the annual NBAA Flight
Attendant Conference? Yes, it can be an important place to learn more
about the industry, attend seminars, and network. Many of the newer
folks find it helps them gain a better understanding of private flying,
while some veterans will tell you to save your money for the big
conferences. Your call: conference fees, hotel and transportation
charges can add up significantly. Not many people have the luxury of
attending every event.
Local
airport events. Is your airport hosting a seminar? Is an important
industry leader speaking? Well, why not attend? Sure, aircraft
de-icing/anti-icing may not be the most exciting topic, but it is to
pilots. Guess what? Some of the same people you want to fly with will
be attending. Guess what? There is usually a social time afterwards.
After the recent crashes involving corporate jets you certainly do want
to be knowledgeable about industry best practices involving ice. Oh, by
the way, have several copies of your résumé with you and
copies of your business card to hand out. Yes, get business cards made
up and be prepared to share them liberally.
Consider
joining your local airport's advisory board, helping out with special
community outreach programs, organizing an airport wide event, etc.
Anything that you like to do and that helps get your face and name out
there is a plus. In this business your name is golden. Promote it and
protect it for all that it is worth! Become an expert self
marketer/promoter.
The
internet. Do Google searches and start reading and bookmarking
every page that interests you pertaining to business aviation. The
internet has more information then any library and it is updated
frequently.
The
Corporate Flight Attendant Community [please click the link in the
resource box below to be taken there]. This website was created by me
to be a resource center for private flight attendants, for those who
aspire to become one, and their supporters. I draw upon industry
leaders as well as the private flight attendants themselves to
communicate what is going on in the industry, particularly from the
cabin crewmember's point of view. Helpful articles, relevant links,
catering information, résumé posting, and message boards
are some of the more important features of the community. This is truly
a niche community one that has gained the attention and respect of many
in the industry.
Of
particular importance for learning/growing/networking are the message
boards. Mostly everyone who participates is already working in the
field as a crewmember either full time or on a contract basis. Others
are working on the skills they need to enter the industry, while still
others offer important help or guidance to the industry. Let me say
this: your screen name is your business and I do not reveal who you are
if I happen to make the connection between your screen name and true
identity. Many business relationships and friendships have been made
between our members because of the message boards. By participating in
our Open Chat time or via p.m. [private message] contact you can "meet"
our members.
Job
sites. There are many sites on the internet listing aviation
related jobs. They include: Skyjobs, Plane Jobs, AviaNation, Climb to
350, AEPS, and the Aviation Employment Board. This last community, the
Aviation Employment Board [please click on the appropriate link
featured in the resource box below] is run by me and is a companion to
the Corporate Flight Attendant Community. Naturally, it is my preferred
method but some of the other sites are helpful too. Unlike the Aviation
Employment Board, most will charge you a monthly fee to register. A big
hint: if you do sign up check out the jobs listed on the "pay sites"
with the free sites. See if you notice any difference in jobs listed.
If you are a corporate flight attendant, do not expect many jobs to be
listed publicly in any case. There just aren't all that many available
at any given time and most companies do not want to publicly advertise
their openings.
Agencies.
AirCareCrews; Integrity Flight Crews, LLC; Jet Professionals, Inc.;
J.S. Firm; Turner Services are all some of the names out there
associated with providing hiring services. Expect to pay a fee in most
cases; do not expect many opportunities. Your call.
As one of
our message board members has advised: build your own sources. You may
find that something works better for you than another person. Much
depends on your own initiative; I find that those individuals who do
the most exploring have an easier time finding work. If flying
corporate is something that you want, be persistent. Another good
trait: be flexible. This includes having a willingness to relocate and
being available to work 24/7/365.
About the Author
Matthew
Keegan is the owner of a successful article writing, web design, and
marketing business based in North Carolina, USA. He manages several
sites including the Corporate
Flight Attendant Community and the Aviation Employment
Board.
Written by: Matthew C. Keegan
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