Summary

• Southwest Airlines flight attendants faced layoffs and reduced hours and pay during the pandemic, impacting morale and customer service.
• Flight attendants at Southwest Airlines enjoy good pay, with starting wages at $22/hour and opportunities for overtime.
• Southwest flight attendants are not paid during delays, leading to frustration and less time for relaxation and personal activities.

Flight attendants keep plane rides running smoothly. While the pilots are, of course, the ones in charge of the actual mechanics of flying, the flight attendants are the smiling faces that the passengers see during the trip. They offer snacks and beverages, keep people calm, and help when necessary. Many people think about the life of a flight attendant, and it's easy to assume that it would be super glam. Or is it like any other job where there are good parts and some things about it that aren't quite so fun?

We're probably curious about what it's like to work for Southwest Airlines, a company many people love flying with. There are debatably glaring problems with Southwest Airlines, as well as pros, that make it a nice option for travelers and employees. Here is what some flight attendants have said.

UPDATE: 2023/11/10 17:24 EST BY NOAH STAATS

The Secrets Of Southwest Airlines Exposed

Now that Southwest Airlines and all major airline companies have resumed flights as usual, it's worth uncovering how their employees feel. Flight attendants are the first and last faces we see when flying, so it's always fascinating to see how they feel about working for their respective airlines. Thank the next flight attendant you fly with: they need it!

The Pandemic Hit Southwest Airlines Hard

Something we don't hear about as much as flight attendants is how hard the company and morale were hit during the COVID-19 pandemic. One of the main factors in Southwest's heartache was letting go of thousands of workers, cutting hours and pay, and losing the sparkle it once had in regard to great customer service and experience. What was once America's friendliest airline quickly became a point of dismay for passengers, as well as the captains and crewmembers.

It was even reported that Southwest and American Airlines had begun to recall workers who were gone due to the pandemic in mid-late 2021, essentially giving them their jobs back. This didn't sit well with many flight attendants, specifically those who faced the brunt of the layoff period. After a year or more without work, it felt like a new position and company to many employees.

• Not everyone came back: After the COVID-19 pandemic, many flight attendants were laid off, never to return to the company.

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The Pay Is Good, And You Can Work Overtime If You Want

As soon as people start thinking about what it would be like to be a flight attendant, they definitely start thinking about the pay. According to a Southwest Airlines flight attendant who posted on Reddit, the pay is good. She mentioned getting $22.36 per hour when she was in training, and when comparing flight attendants with other airlines who aren't always in good moods, she said, "We get paid too much to complain."

Another flight attendant for Southwest shared on Reddit that the pay is definitely awesome. She wrote, "Flight attendants start at $22 an hour with an increase every year as well. I'm in my 6th year and get paid $42 an hour. I have not heard a single pilot or flight attendant complain about pay here."

It also turns out that you can work overtime even if you're new, whether six days in a row or three days in a row and then have four days of downtime, according to an employee on Reddit.

• The money can be great: Southwest Airlines pays most trainees $22 an hour, with many long-time employees making $40+ per hour.

Flight Attendants Get Affected By Delayed Planes

No one enjoys getting delayed at the airport... or, even worse, on the actual plane. You keep waiting, hoping the plane will finally take off. It doesn't matter whether you're heading home or on vacation because you'll worry anyway.

What is it like to work for Southwest Airlines when delays happen? According to a post on Reddit, it's not much fun at all. A flight attendant shared that flight attendants and pilots are only paid "when the plane pushes back from the gate." She continued, "So while we're waiting for a plane, boarding or in between flights, we get paid zero. Yeah, delays suck for us too."

If you're a flight attendant and your plane is delayed, you don't get to go home when you thought you would. And if you're on the clock, you'll have less time at a hotel to relax. It's definitely not a pleasant situation.

• They're not having fun, either: Southwest flight attendants aren't getting paid when delayed flights happen.

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They Truly Enjoy The Work

How do Southwest Airlines flight attendants feel about the jobs that they have? While there are happy and unhappy people in any industry, it seems like these jobs make people pretty content. Posting on Indeed.com, a Southwest flight attendant shared how much the job has done for their life: "You encounter so many walks of life, which allows you to learn about many cultures. Traveling and having the ability to try new things, eat new food, and make a difference in people's lives."

Someone else said there's a great work/life balance, along with a flexible work schedule and good benefits. There are so many jobs that don't offer people a good schedule and the chance to travel, but working for Southwest would definitely help you out in those departments.

• People here are content: Many Southwest Airlines employees post on job websites that they appreciate and feel happy working for the company.

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They Really Do Get To Go On Planes Free Of Cost (And So Do People In Their Life)

Baristas and retail employees get free coffee or discounts on clothing or other merchandise. Do Southwest Airlines flight attendants get to take a plane for free?

Yes, as it turns out, they really do. According to the official website, if you work for Southwest Airlines, it's "free unlimited travel privileges." This includes "eligible dependants," which would be a partner, kids younger than 19, or kids who are 19 to 24 but students. This would be such a wonderful perk since plane tickets can add up if you enjoy traveling and seeing the world. And if you have kids, this would offer you even more savings, which is awesome to hear.

If we're curious about what it would be like to be a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines, we know some of the perks (like free airplane travel and getting good pay) and the not-so-great parts (like dealing with delays just like everyone else).

• Great perks: Southwest employees get to fly free, as well as extend that gift to close family.

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