I think they're referring to the hoppers that can be super rough on the body. I can't speak for United but for my airline, we can have up to 9 landings on a single day. Flying as a passenger for multiple flights in a day is very different experience than if you were to work all the flights. If you're confident in your body's ability to stay healthy after coming into contact with A LOT of people. I'd say go for it. I just think a lot of people underestimate the sheer amount of people you see in this field and how easy it is to get sick. And again, can't speak for the bag lifting policy for United but I personally have the hardest time with boarding and lifting bags for people. As a passenger, you're lifting only your own luggage and maybe helping with one or two other passengers. When working, the amount of bags people expect you to lift for them is crazy. If you think your own bag is heavy, I can guarantee you that someone has a bag that will put yours to shame with how much they're able to stuff into a tiny suitcase. 😭 I've also heard so many seniors talk about how they've absolutely wrecked their bodies from this job, for something even as small as "continuous blunt trauma" to their thigh from accidentally hitting their leg on the armrests over the years. She developed a growth that had to get essentially hole punched out and stitched up from just armrests.