Flight Attendants Grapple with Low Wages, Leading to Drastic Career Choices
Working as a flight attendant was once viewed as a prestigious and glamorous job. The job offers the perks of global travel, steady income, and a lifestyle that many dreamed of. In past decades, the role of a flight attendant symbolized a career path with financial security. Also, it presented the opportunity to explore the world. However, in 2024, the situation for many flight attendants has drastically changed. Faced with stagnant wages and an ever-increasing cost of living, many flight attendants are now struggling to make ends meet. Thus, leading some to take on second jobs—including stripping—to survive.
The Harsh Financial Realities of Being a Flight Attendant Today
Gone are the days when being a flight attendant guaranteed a comfortable lifestyle. For many, the reality is far from the glamorous image often associated with the profession. According to recent reports, newly hired flight attendants for airlines like Frontier, JetBlue, and United are making an average of $27,000 per year. This salary might have been sustainable in previous decades. However, today it leaves many struggling to cover even the most basic living expenses.
Inflation and the rising cost of housing have exacerbated the problem. Since 1970, flight attendant wages have only risen by 13%. Meanwhile housing costs have skyrocketed by over 800% in the same period. This stark contrast has left many flight attendants, especially new hires, living paycheck to paycheck. For many, it is impossible to cover rent, utilities, and other essentials without taking on additional work.
One flight attendant, who goes by the name “Bree” in an interview with NewsNation, shared her struggle with balancing her career in the skies and a second job at a local strip club. After a long day of flying, Bree takes off her wedding ring and begins her shift at the club—a reality she never imagined when she started her career. Bree’s story reflects a larger trend among flight attendants who have found themselves in similar situations. As a result, they’re forced to look for additional income in unconventional ways just to survive.
Moonlighting as Strippers: A Shocking but Necessary Choice
For many flight attendants, the decision to moonlight as a stripper is not one made lightly. These individuals come from all walks of life, often with strong moral values and high levels of professionalism. Yet, faced with a lack of financial support and wages that no longer match the cost of living, they find themselves with few alternatives.
Bree described how difficult it was to enter the world of stripping. It was a tough choice, considering her upbringing and her Christian values. She shared that she never imagined herself working in such an industry. However, the harsh financial realities of being a flight attendant left her with little choice. For her, as for many others, it was a matter of survival.
This situation is not unique to Bree. Many flight attendants, especially those at the beginning of their careers, are feeling the weight of low wages. As a result, they are turning to jobs like food delivery, bartending, and even stripping to make ends meet. These workers’ job was once synonymous with glamour. Now, they find themselves in a constant struggle just to pay their bills and keep a roof over their heads.
Kim, another flight attendant featured in the same report, shared her heartbreaking story of living in a shed with her three children. With no running water and temperatures falling below freezing, she struggled to keep her family safe while working a full-time job as a flight attendant. Despite the public perception of the job as one filled with perks and travel, the reality for Kim and many others is one of financial instability.
The Disconnect Between Public Perception and Reality
One of the most challenging aspects of this situation for many flight attendants is the disconnect between public perception and reality. Most passengers have no idea that the smiling flight attendants serving them could be facing such dire financial circumstances. To the outside world, these workers seem to have it all. One they get to travel the world. Two, they meet new people. And they work in a seemingly glamorous industry. However, the truth is much more sobering.
Flight attendants are only paid for the hours they spend in the air. This means that time spent boarding passengers, waiting at the gate, or dealing with delays does not count toward their hours worked. As a result, many flight attendants only get paid for about half of the time they are actually on the job. This unique payment structure adds to the financial strain. Thus, forcing workers to stretch their already low wages even further.
Airlines Under Pressure to Increase Wages
The plight of flight attendants has not gone unnoticed. So, many are pushing for change. At United Airlines, for example, flight attendants have authorized a strike, pending the outcome of contract negotiations with their union. The union is demanding a 28% pay raise as part of the deal, hoping to bring flight attendant wages in line with the rising cost of living.
Other airlines, like Alaska Airlines, have acknowledged the financial difficulties facing their workers. In a statement, Alaska Airlines said, “We appreciate how financially challenging the beginning of any career path can be,” and expressed its desire to finalize a contract that includes increased wages and better benefits for flight attendants. However, despite these promises, many flight attendants are still waiting for tangible changes to be implemented.
The Bigger Picture: Wage Stagnation and the Struggle of the Middle Class
The struggles of flight attendants are part of a larger issue affecting many workers in the United States today. Wage stagnation, combined with rising living costs, has left countless individuals struggling to stay afloat, even in industries once considered stable or lucrative. The cost of housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses have risen dramatically, while wages in many industries, including aviation, have failed to keep pace.
For flight attendants, the problem is compounded by the unique demands of the job. Long hours, time away from home, and unpredictable schedules make it difficult to take on a second job, let alone maintain a healthy work-life balance. Those who do take on additional work, such as stripping, often face stigma and judgment, despite the fact that they are doing what they must to survive.
A Call for Change
As more stories like Bree’s and Kim’s come to light, the need for change in the airline industry becomes increasingly apparent. Flight attendants play a critical role in ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers, and yet many are not compensated fairly for their work. While some airlines have acknowledged the issue and are working toward better contracts, progress has been slow.
For now, flight attendants like Bree will continue to do whatever it takes to survive. But the hope is that the airline industry, along with policymakers, will take action to ensure that these workers are paid a living wage—one that reflects the true cost of living in today’s economy.
