I recently received a phone call from a very enthusiastic, if not perky, flight attendant who has been working in the commercial sector for several years. I could tell that the airliner end of flying was no longer for her; I also heard a certain excitement in her voice as she imagined herself flying within business aviation. Truthfully, it is this type of conversation that inspires me to promote our industry as I believe it is one of the best industries around.

Unfortunately, the industry is also going through some difficult times. Compared to the mid to late 1990s, business remains down. Sure, there are people flying, jobs to be had, and money to be made. But, as the airliners continue their downward spiral, the pool of people who want to enter corporate aviation is increasing while the number of available slots is decreasing.

One only has to survey the threads on our boards to see a certain level of frustration emanating from the messages there simply is not enough work to go around. Experienced corporate flight attendants are worried that their wages will be undercut by the newbies, especially those who have been working as virtual indentured servants in the airline industry. What looks like a low salary for the experienced business aviator can, comparably, appear to be great riches to the underpaid airliner employee, turned corporate flight attendant. It is this type of conflict that creates tension between veteran and novice.

To many outsiders, our industy seems confusing, if not downright secretive. Frequent questions include: Which companies are hiring? What are the training requirements? Can I live in Des Moines and fly out of Chicago? Do I have a set schedule? What is the pay and benefits? When told that there arent readily understood standards equivalent to the airliners, and that these same standards vary greatly from charter operator to flight department to contracting position, the reactions from outsiders ranges from surprise to shock. When informed that many companies are looking for a flight attendant who is current in FAR Parts 91 and 135 training and that they will have to pay for it, the reactions are mostly stunned silence.

When asked, I encourage newbies to be prepared to do plenty of research. Visit the NBAAs site, read the articles posted herein, go to the message boards, and contact the training companies directly to learn what training they are offering and at what price. Talk with those who are already flying corporate, attempt to learn from chief flight attendants what they are looking for in a candidate, NEVER do an end around and subvert the process by going behind someones back, and be prepared to invest thousands of dollars in your career before your first flight and without guarantee of a steady job.

Certainly, after counting the cost [outlay of funds, time, etc.] many people decide business aviation is not for them. Fair enough. However, lets hope that the companies that are hiring realize that the investment a fully trained and experienced corporate flight attendant has made in him or herself is worthy of a salary that is not only livable, but commensurate with the amount of time they sacrifice each month to deliver the premium level of service required. Inadequate compensation cheats corporate flight attendants and threatens our industrys unparalleled image. A contented corporate flight attendant is one of your best marketing tools; invest wisely in your employees and your customers will notice and give you repeat business.