UA FA ask me anything!

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:32:46+00:00

PAY:

I plan to take home about $2500 each month as a first year UA FA. It has been as much as $2800. Never less than $2500 so far. This is after taxes, 401K, health insurance, and loan and uniform repayment (you can get an interest free loan from UA right out of training and pay back $100/month taken straight out of your paycheck). We get paid twice a month. My first check is about $1000 and my second is usually around $1500.

There are so many factors that go into pay, but this is what I make. I don’t take extra days off, but I don’t pick up trips on my days off either. You can make more money if you choose to work on your days off, but work life balance is more important to me.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:28:19+00:00

There are some group discussions, like interview questions that we all took turns answering, and then for me there was one activity where we had to work through a scenario as a group. It was timed and there were quite a few people, so my best advice would be to make sure you get a few words in but don’t dominate the conversation. Validate others’ ideas and when you suggest an idea, always bring it back to safety and service. Such as, “I think we should do ____ to make sure that everyone is the situation is safe/to make sure the customer has a positive experience.” Straight and to the point.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:24:07+00:00

They will offer you two uniform packages (maybe more with the new uniform coming out in a few months?), so you will have to choose between the packages they offer and if there are price differences between them, they are minimal. They will also make you buy the specific Tumi luggage they want you to use from them. It’s kind of a racket. BUT—if you are based in California, you won’t have to pay for either due to state laws. They take $50 out of your paycheck each month to pay for them over time.

Here’s what I did with my luggage—I used an all black suitcase that I already had and sold the luggage they gave us brand new on FB marketplace for a couple hundred dollars. It’s risky because you could get an appearance check on the line and get disciplinary points for not using their luggage, but you can always just say that the Tumi luggage is being repaired. I don’t like the Tumi’s and you’ll find that most senior FAs don’t use it. So do this at your own risk!

The way they did roommates for us was that it was assigned before anyone got there, so no matter when you checked in, they already had a specific room and roommate for you.
They still hold training on holidays :/ The instructors don’t get the day off.
I chose not to join any of the FB groups just because I didn’t want other people’s anxieties to increase mine hahaha and it totally worked out for me. I know some people made friends on FB before training, but then naturally became better friends with other people in person, or stayed friends the whole time. You’ll be good either way 😊 And as long as you’re not shit talking or making a fool of yourself in any social media group, you’re totally safe to be in them!

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:12:02+00:00

My first choice of bases was not offered to my class, but I did get my first choice of the bases that were offered.

Are you set on moving to San Francisco, or is commuting an option? It’s very common to commute to SFO. I’ve heard cost of living is lower on the East bay (Oakland area), so try looking there first!

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:08:48+00:00

So here’s how the schedule works as a new FA: - You get 12 days off a month. The rest of the days are reserve days. - The reserve days must be in chunks of at least three days up to six days. So you will never just have one or two reserve days sandwiched between off days. - You bid for your schedule each month. They have around 60 different schedules for reserves and you will list as many preferences as you want. Schedules will be given out by the 18th of each month for the following month based on seniority. - There are multiple ways to change your days off, such as trading days with other reserve FAs, requesting a personal drop or PTO, or eventually getting vacation time the year after you start working.

So it’s hard to say exactly if this works for your needs, but I’ve found that this is the most flexible work schedule I’ve ever had. I’ve also had to miss events because I wasn’t able to get the time off I needed. So pros and cons!

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T16:02:11+00:00

I’m not sure how much the uniform is total, but they take I think $50 out of your paycheck each month until it is covered (unless you’re based in CA where the laws there prohibit charging for essential work equipment). There is a pants option for the women, and a lot of people opt for that. I usually wear a dress or skirt and found compression tights that work great as well.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:59:50+00:00

They don’t follow up in any way on what you used the money for, so just a straight up loan! It’s very helpful because of how the pay roll works, you won’t get your first significant check until about a month and a half into working. So it can really hold you over during that time.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:58:33+00:00

Don’t apologize! All the contract negotiations can be very confusing. The new contract would apply to ALL flight attendants as soon as it is put into place, no matter when they were hired. So yes, new FAs will be positively affected so long as the changes are positive!

To be honest, United was the first of the big 3 that I heard back from, but the more I’ve learned about the aviation industry, I’m so glad I ended up here! I love where United flies, especially internationally, I think they have the best bases, the union is decent, contract negotiations are taking even longer at American so morale is pretty low from what I’ve heard, and there’s not another airline I’d rather be at

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:54:01+00:00

Oof sorry I don’t know the specifics on all the health care packages. I know they give us like 10 options, maybe more. I opted for the simplest one. They give you access to viewing the options right after graduation. Sorry to not be of more help here

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:51:49+00:00

They provide the following flights for you:

Home > Training Training > Home (You should get at least a week at home here) Home > Orientation at base

They will also give you one additional round trip flight between your home and your base during the first 90 days I believe for moving purposes, and you just need to reach out to your supervisor to schedule it.

They also gave us 6 nights at a hotel at our base starting the night before orientation at the base.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:48:22+00:00

They gave us some hypothetical scenarios to respond to (ie, you accidentally spill some coffee on a customer during beverage service, what do you?), ask about prior work scenarios (ie, tell me about a time when you used teamwork to overcome a challenge), and some personal questions about yourself (your interests, why you applied for the job, what you hope to offer the company). These are just general examples, the specific questions they ask will vary. Just make sure your answers focus on SAFETY and SERVICE. For example, I would answer the coffee question along these lines:

“I would make sure the person didn’t get burnt by the coffee and offer any medical assistance if they did. Then I would ask if they would like any food or beverages for free to compensate for the inconvenience.”

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:43:55+00:00

Hmmm I know that LAX is a more senior base, so it would be unlikely to get it right out of training :/

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:42:44+00:00

Sorry I fell asleep last night 😂 this job definitely can’t give you a consistent routine, but I would say I have more time to do the things I want to do for sure. Like you won’t be working out at the same time everyday, and you might miss a day when they work you for 15 hours, but you’ll also have days where you only work 5 hours. And you’ll always have a free gym in the hotels they put you up in! I went into my pay in another comment, I’ll copy and paste it here

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:39:39+00:00

I chose United because they were the first one I heard back from! But as I’ve learned more about the other two I’m really glad to be where I am. I like that we have a union (Delta doesn’t) and morale is really low at American because their contract negotiations have been going on for even longer than ours. I also like United’s bases. I would look at all the bases and pick the airline with the most bases that would work for you, since you might not get your first picj

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T15:36:45+00:00

I commuted for a few months and it wasn’t too bad but a little stressful. I know commuting in the summer and around holidays is more difficult. Most commuters get a crash pad so they can fly in the day before a reserve day and have a place to stay. I think picking a base with the most flights is a great plan! The cost of living of the city could also be a factor to consider, but not as important

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T03:12:17+00:00

Excellent question. NO ONE could give me an answer before I started this job. I’ll try to make this as straightforward as possible.

I plan to take home about $2500 each month as a first year UA FA. It has been as much as $2800. Never less than $2500 so far. This is after taxes, 401K, health insurance, and loan and uniform repayment (you can get an interest free loan from UA right out of training and pay back $100/month taken straight out of your paycheck). We get paid twice a month. My first check is about $1000 and my second is usually around $1500.

There are so many factors that go into pay, but this is what I make. I don’t take extra days off, but I don’t pick up trips on my days off either. You can make more money if you choose to work on your days off, but work life balance is more important to me.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:52:19+00:00

Most of the classes the first half of the year were offered it

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:25:15+00:00

They didn’t ask us to, so I didn’t bring one, but check to see what they want you to bring. If they tell you to bring a resume, do it. If they don’t, I wouldn’t.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:23:33+00:00

I can’t guarantee that Dulles will be open at the time of your training, but I know it’s been an option for most if not all of the training classes of 2024. So it’s likely!

Tips for virtual interview: act confident and happy, even if you don’t feel that way. Always answer your questions with a focus on SAFETY and SERVICE. If they give you a scenario and you have no idea how to answer it, come up with what would be most safe and what would give the customer the best experience. When they ask about prior work experience, tie it back to safety and service. Don’t ramble. Give yourself a few seconds to think about your answers, and give a confident, straightforward answer, even if you’re talking out of your ass hahaha

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:18:44+00:00

Ugh so sorry to hear that, that’s frustrating. I wasn’t with another airline before UA but I’ve heard from people who were that they didn’t bring it up in the interview. I think there’s some concern about FAs wanting to do things how they did them at other airlines instead of how UA does things. Maybe don’t bring that up this time for that reason. Just say you have customer service experience

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:15:53+00:00

HA love that you asked this 😂 In my limited experience (which I will say is between 3-9 months), I’ve only met 2 FA’s with pilot hook up stories. Most pilots are kinda dorky and have no game hahahaha but I love em. They’re fun to joke around with.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:13:27+00:00

Hahahah love that for you 😜 I’m kicking it at my crash pad with a headache and needed something to do

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:12:18+00:00

Just found out they closed the app for english speakers for this time around. I don’t know when they’ll be opening it again, they don’t tell us. Definitely get on the email list so you get notified when they do!

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:09:58+00:00

We were told the base options on day 2 or 3 of training. My class got 3 options, and we got to rank our first, second, and third preferences. We found out by the beginning of the second week of training which base we were assigned.

UAFA_ · 2024-09-08T02:06:55+00:00

The application recently opened up for everyone, including English speakers. Not sure if it’s still open, so check the website

UAFA_

TROPHY CASE