Flight Attendant to Pilot?
 

I'm looking down the road a bit and am trying to formulate a plan to get me hired by the an airline. Let's say I get all the way through Commercial, Instrument, MEL and CFI and decided to try my hand as a Flight Attendant with a Major airline. On my off time I do some instructing and flying to keep proficient and build hours. Would already being an employee increase my chances getting a pilot spot with that airline? Or would it be better to do the CFI thing full time? Any advice would be appreciated.

It may do wonders for your networking ability to become a flight attendant; otherwise experience and flight time are what count in the end.

Being an FA will not get you hired with any less experience, ie you still need to to build time and work for the regionals.

But what it might do for you is give you a list of pilot references about 8 pages long when the time comes to apply (assuming you're good to work with).

If you somehow manage to remain employed as an FA while getting your turbine time (rare, but I have heard of this), then you would most likely have a preferential interview as a current employee.

I was a customer service sup for years while I flew and got my time and ratings, I think it helped me during the interview when I had previous airline experience according to the HR peeps. I enjoyed it, it will allow you to network with pilots and possibly find recommendations. If you have never worked for an airline before it will give you perspective to how things work. The only thing though if you go FA you time might not be fully dedicated to flying as much as you want to if you have to spend extra days cmuting to work.

Look at all those new programs eagle has to recruit pilots zero to hero to CFI and into the right seat. Obviously your financial situation will be the decision maker to it all.

rickair7777,
I would be instructing during my off time in such a scenario. I in no way would think that less hours would be accepted. Thanks for the input.

I knew a Continental flight attendant that got hired at Continental Express as a pilot. I would assume that could help you get on with that airline some day.

Before you choose this route, talk with FAs at the airline you're interested in and ask about time off. You may not have the availability (time off) to instruct that you think you will.

Lots of pilots have worked as FAs, it's definitely possible, just make sure you have an accurate assessment of how much extra time it will take.

FWIW, I could never do the job of a flight attendant. More than likely you will not get a job at a major, it will be at a regional. The pay is deplorable, and you will not have much time off. You will not have time to pick up CFI work consistently, which is the most important part of being a CFI. Your schedule will vary month to month and you'll see changes in it as well. And that's if you're not on reserve.

While it sounds fairly reasonable at first, it isn't. And if makes a difference, I considered this same thing about 12 years ago.

Flight Attendant to Pilot?
 

Mercury, I took this route myself. However, I was a FA at a regional airline and then was hired as a FO. In your situation (FA at a major and looking to move to the right seat there), it would be a lot harder. I would consider leaving, quite frankly, but on good terms. It will make your trip to the regionals (which is almost required) a lot quicker. And with experience and good history at your current company, you may be able to shorten your stint at the regionals, which is also a bonus. Good luck!

Mercury,

It will help, but you're likely not going to be able to bypass the regional airline stage (or other 'entry' level turbine job). Having said that, if you're fun to work with and have a bunch of internal recommendations from the carrier you work with, in conjunction with knowing a lot of management there, you could have a leg up once you have the required experience.

Long story short, you'll have to have the flight time first.