Has a Flight Attendent ever become Airline Pilot?

Question

Has a Flight Attendent ever become Airline Pilot?

Answer 1

Sure, known a few.  I wouldn't become a flight attendant in order to become a pilot, though.  It would be a waste of time.  You need to get a pilot seniority number as soon as you can.  Flight attendants do know a lot about the industry, but you would learn just as much as a new first officer.  Most of the FA's I knew who became pilots, always wanted to be a pilot but didn't think they could until they became flight attendants.  They would have been better off if they just became a pilot in the first place.

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

Yes, I know of quite a few airline pilots who were once flight attendants, both male and female.  Some of them tried flight attending first to get a feel for what the airline lifestyle is like.  Others thought that being a flight attendant for a particular airline would help them get hired as a pilot (it doesn't).  I also knew of several flight attendants who were in the process of getting all of their ratings.

I also know of airline pilots who were once gate agents and ramp agents.

Answer 4

Yes.  I knew one.  He flew a Saab 340 out of Manassas, Virginia.

Answer 5

I think he is a Flight Steward for in airline lingo an FA (Flight Attendant is a female). Yes, this guy being a steward & an employee already just bidded and became qualified and after training started with HS-748 and now after perhaps 20 years flies the A340. The last time we met he was with Sri Lankan Air while I was with AOM French Airlines A340  as the LAME (Lic. Aircraft Maintenance Engineer)  

Answer 6

By your last few questions , I think you miss the point. You do not get promoted to an airline pilot by working for an airline. In order to get your job as a pilot you have to start by first learning to fly private planes, and as your skills and flight hours increase you can work towards becoming an airline pilot.  

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

Yes, I also know one.  Flies for Southwest now.

One time I was riding in the jump seat of a 757 and the flight attendant came up to the cockpit (pre-911).  She was getting her ratings to become an airline pilot.  The first officer got out of his seat and let her fly for about 5 minutes (with the autopilot off).  I was a little jealous because I was still flying fro the commuters.  I guess you could also call her an airline pilot....for a couple of minutes.

Answer 9

yep, i personally know one, and now hes in school to fly fighter jets for the air force.

Answer 10

I don't see why not. But it's not something people get promoted to or anything. They are two separate careers. Commercial Pilots have to go through quite a bit of schooling and gain multiple Pilots Certifications and hours spent flying before they can become Commercial Airline Pilots. It might be a good thing for a young aspiring aviation lover who wishes to be a pilot but cannot afford all the training. You gain vast knowledge about the industry while working as a Flight Attendant or Stewardess (*LoL*) I wonder how many people still dislike that term. Anyways, you gain a lot of knowledge about the business working the job, and on the side take flying lessons. I don't know for sure but am willing to bet that there might be some airlines that will help cover part of the cost of flight school in certain cases like this.  

Answer 11

I know at least three personally. However they are indeed two separate careers.

A background in aviation is helpful but so much more is required of any airline pilot candidate.

Answer 12

These are two very different careers, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

There are many flight attendants with an interest in flying.  Some of them eventually decide to pursue a career as a pilot rather than as a FA.  But they are two different careers; you can't get a promotion from one to the other, and if you want to change, you essentially have to start over.  The only really common trait between FAs and pilots is that both tend to like flying (especially pilots), so there is some overlap but not a lot.

Many FAs have absolutely no interest in being pilots, and conversely, many pilots would quickly croak with boredom if they had to work as FAs.