Which is better for a begining Flight Attendant?

[Guest Tomlin]

Okay, this may be a strange question but Im getting desperate here for a job outside of where I am currently (in the health insurance customer service industry).Company "A" offers beginning FA's $18.56 per flight hour to start, with a bonus paid rate of $8.75 per hour upon completion of their training. They also guarantee a minimum of 70 Flight Hours per month pay.$22.89 per flight hour after 24 months of service.Company "S" offers beginning FA's $17.46 per trip (equal to 243 miles) and must attend 4 weeks of unpaid training, with no minimum monthly guarantee of 'trip hours'.$21.10 per trip after 24 months of service.Now, if the initial training period was not considered, which airline would pay more?Company "A" or "S"? Both are National Airlines with no international service. One is painted green and cream, the other red and blue :-)Generally flying in FS, I cover at altitude around 9 miles per minute. 243 miles/9= 27 minutes. If this speed holds true then that would roughly equate to 54 minutes to cover 486 miles, equaling $34.92 per hour. Of course not all flights are an hour long, but there are not too many in the U.S. that are under an hour either.What do you think?

[Tom Allensworth 1,532]

Geez, a math test... :)Simple answer... go with Company A, if and only IF, flight time is defined as any time you are in an aircraft with engines running. That way, if you get stuck in taxi traffic, crowded airspace, etc., you get paid for the time in the aircraft. A flat fee per trip is not a good idea, in my thinking.

[Jeff Nielsen 1,385]

When I worked for the airlines you only got paid in 'block time' which is defined as wheels up to wheels down.You didn't get paid for the time sitting around the airport and/or taxi time..lol.My god mother is still an FA for Continental (34+ years), I could ask her.

[Guest Tomlin]

Good to hear from you Tom, and thanks to everyone who responds!Eric TKJAX/KSGJ737NG Flight Deck Builder

[ABE 0]

I worked for TWA for 25 years as a flight attendant, purser and service manager(on 747's and L1011's). I enjoyed every bit of it (almost! (lol)).The saying is: This is the job where you work part time and LIVE FULL TIME (again almost).The only drawback was being away from my wife and kids for as long as a week sometimes, but I made up for it with my extra days off following each trip.Goood Luck.Abe