Yesterday, I wrote about second job ideas. A reader wrote in to suggest airline jobs as great second jobs. Apparently, if you actually work for the airline, you may get all sorts of deals on flights, including free flights for you and your family. Even if you’re making a low wage at an airline call center or ticket office, the free flights may make it seem like you’re earning much more.
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"Great second job idea: airline jobs" from Become a Consultant at ConsultantJournal.com.
Some of the airline perks aren’t what they used to be. I had a neighbor who used the free travel (you still pay taxes). The tickets are standby, and with planes so full now, it’s not a very dependable way to fly. I would also think about the stress component–the airlines are feeling a lot of pain, and working for them could introduce a lot of stress in your life. Not exactly ideal for a second job if the first job requires a clear head.
Thanks for your insightful comments. I think it’s always important to evaluate a job opportunity. You’re right about needing to pay taxes and other fees. However, where I am, many of the airline jobs are unionized and there are more measures that protect workers. Still, any second job introduces stress and it’s important to make sure you’re making the right decision.
Definitely not as good as they used to be. I grew up in an airline family, flew for free everywhere typically first class. Family still flies for free, but kids after they turn 23 no longer do. I get ‘buddy-passes’ from parents/family still and it is no where near the cost of even just taxes. I would still look into it.
Good luck on this one. Airline jobs are not so great these days with downsizing, etc. My spouse is an airline employee and we took a 40% pay cut and lost our retirement, as well as spending three years without work. We are looking at losing his job (until the company needs him back) again very soon. It is a tough place to make a living.
Your points are very valid. I was positioning airline jobs as good means of supplementing your income, as opposed to making up the bulk of it.
Airline jobs are great full time jobs, however getting to the point where you have time for a second job is tough. As a flight attendant I wouldn’t recommend the airlines as a good second job. They give great perks and benefits, but I do have one of the most sought after jobs in the airline business. My schedule is very flexible and I don’t work much, but I’m no longer on reserve. When you start out at the job you have to “Pay your dues” as they call it, and you can’t hold a second job and be on reserve. But it was worth the time I put in then because now I have the time to look for a second job which is why I am here. 🙂 Good luck to you all!
Many of the comments on this site from 99 are old but they are still very, very true. It’s even worse post 911. I’m a flight attendant and for the most part I do enjoy my job, however I haven’t been getting a lot of time off lately and the time off I do get I can’t travel anywhere.
The planes are full I’m barely able to get to work ( I live in a different state than I am based)
If you want to work in the airline industry part time I suggest being a reservations/ ticket/gate agent or ramp agent if you can handle manual labor. If there are any pt positions. Preferably reservations agent.
As a ticket/gate agent you have to deal with angry passengers because their flights get canceled they need to be rebooked etc.
A ramp agent’s job is physically demanding you have to be out in the elements rain, shine, cold, hot, snow. You have to lift heavy bags. Not as easy as it seems.
Interesting piece. I would never have thought that working in an airline would be so accessible. I guess that any chance to earn a bit more income should always be examined a little more closely…