Air Transat flight attendant info (please)

[Oldnrusted]

Hi my niece has always wanted to become a flight attendant. She's heard Transat is hiring (she applied for the YUL position). I was wondering if anyone knew of what the schedule was like (duty days, days away from home, overnights, etc etc). I was also wondering what type of gig it was, and if anybody had anything positive or negative to say about the flight attendant's work conditions and general moral.

Any info is greatly appreciated,


thanks in advance.

[Go Juice]

Is she a 10?

[Big Bus Mech]

My wife was a F/A with Transat for a long time but recently gave up to go back to school. Your niece and expect to be on reserve at the beginning (I think must be able to get to airport in 2 to 2.5 notice), which is not always a bad thing as she could get layover flights. 10 garanteed days off a month. Winter months mainly turnaround flights down south, summer Europe layovers.

Its a great way to see the world and get paid. If you want more exact details I can ask some friends that still work there.

I do know A.T. starting a new class of F/A's and pilot training in the very near future (next couple of weeks).

[TopperHarley]

They started an FA newhire course last week. Sounds like they'll be recruiting lots more to come as well.

[ahramin]

85 hour seniority bid. Best pairings of any airline in the country if you ask me. All vacation travel.

[Big Bus Mech]

Yes there is a current class doing training now but they are still looking for more from what I have been told.

New for this summer if Turkey and possibly Japan (from what I have heard Japan is not 100% done deal yet).

Lots more A330's coming into the fleet and A310's starting to get replaced, rumoured B737NG's in the coming years.

[Oldnrusted]

Ok thanks for the info. What are typical layovers like? One or two nights, 3 or 4, or maybe more? You mentioned guaranteed 10 days off in a month, what kind of schedule does that give? 7 on 3 off, or does it vary from month to month?

Again thank you for taking the time, it's appreciated!

[Big Bus Mech]

the 10 days off are bid based on senority, usually most f/a's work a flight or 2 then have a day or 2 off. These are guaranteed days off (they are not suppoesed to call you for a flight during these days but everyone in awhile the brown stuff hits the fan and they do). You can bid to have all your 10 days off together but then you have to flight back to back flights which is very tiring.

Depending on the season, layover range from 1 night (18-25 hours) up to 1 week. Right now during the winter layover are usually in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Winnepeg, Saskatoon all the excotic destinations

Training is carried out in YUL, current bases are YUL,YYZ, YVR, new f/a's get to bid on which base they want (senority of new f/a's is bases on finally marks I think).

I think that's about all I can remember at the moment if there is anything else I will have to consult my wife for further details.

[chopsticks]

I imagine French is a requirement for the back end as well, just like for the pilots?

[ahramin]

It certainly helps but if you have some high school French and are willing to hit the books and improve your French that's good enough. They want you to have a functional French within 6 months of getting hired.

Obviously any other languages help immensely as well.

[chopsticks]

Thanks!

[winnipegguy]

What kind of start salary can I expect at Air Transat?

Ive been called and they like me... I wonder what kind of start level salary I can expect at Air Transat. I need to know that now since I didn't ask in my telephonic interview.

How many hours do I get as a new guy. DO they pay a different landing fee? or is there no landing fee/allowance at the destination city.

. if I move to YVR can I support myself if rentals there are as high as 800- $ 900?

Please please please advise here.

[bandaid]

What kind of start salary can I expect at Air Transat?

Ive been called and they like me... I wonder what kind of start level salary I can expect at Air Transat. I need to know that now since I didn't ask in my telephonic interview.

How many hours do I get as a new guy. DO they pay a different landing fee? or is there no landing fee/allowance at the destination city.

. if I move to YVR can I support myself if rentals there are as high as 800- $ 900?

Please please please advise here.

I did a quick google search on rentals in Richmond as it is nice a close to the airport. You can click on the link for my results.
http://www.rentalsource.com/rentals/Bri ... /Richmond/

[Big Bus Mech]

I will try and find out what the current starting wage is, but most likely you would end up on reserve to begin with. On resever I believe you are guaranteed 75 hours a month.

Usually new f/a's will meet people during training and then if they get the same base they will rent a place together.

YVR is usually fairly tough to get as a new hire but it all depends where they require crews.

[winnipegguy]

they told me I had to choose between Vancouver or Montreal. Now I dont even know how much I will be making

[ahramin]

I think it's close to $30 000 per year. Not sure about that and it could change as the collective agreement is under negotiation right now. 6:1 duty rig. Per diems by the hour time away from base but no idea on the amount.

[winnipegguy]

Are you sure because 75 hours a month x 23 dollars an hour= 1725

how can that be = $ 30,000 a year

[ahramin]

Are you sure because 75 hours a month x 23 dollars an hour= 1725

how can that be = $ 30,000 a year

I think it's close to $30 000 per year. Not sure about that

[winnipegguy]

i believe its $ 2000 per month

[fish4life]

Then why the hell did you ask the question

[winnipegguy]

to see how wrongly you advise people. based on wrong advise you realise a bad decision someone can make.

[Big Bus Mech]

Current Starting rate is: $23.02 (first 24 months) after that each pay scale is for 12 months.
Top Salary is: $48.52
Minimum guaranteed hours is 65 hours/month. Maximum is 85 hrs/month.

All above salary are plus Per diem + possibilty of Profit Sharing + possibility of Commision from on board sales and/or duty free sales.

The current Collective agreement is up for renewal so these figures could change.

[winnipegguy]

Nice. the figures will change upwards only. Im most concerned about the 184 people they laid off Oct & Nov 2010, out of 384, sounds disastrously high. Also read CUPE which said they have issues retaining and I know some dont even come back as its too much uncertainty at times.

Are you working there now? I feel I might turn them down if I dont get YYZ location, they only offered YUL and YVR (Shift of base to YVR in this salary and more than a 50% lay off case would be a disaster. I am basic in FR so cant get by without this job in YUL.

Lots of issues with Air Transat. Their Airline Union CUPE has posted all over the internet their issues with people being laid off and then being called back. Some laying off way more than others in lets say YYZ.

It's a tough call to accept it with the given lay off previous figures and changing a base to another major Canadian city when help there will be very limited.

Thoughts?

How much is an average Per Diem? Salary per month with 65 hours of flight and all other average variables?

[undashflyer]

How badly do you want to be a flight attendant?

When I started flying I would have gone anywhere if I was offered a job. If you are already having doubts then don't do it.
If you go with apprehensions and are afraid of being away from what you know, you can find a million reasons to hate your city of base and complain about it all of the time.

How do you think other new kids make it when they start? You learn where the .99c pizza place is nearby and you take the bus to work; or you live at home. If you want to see the world and work with a lot of cool people that were hired because they have great personalities, then go for it. If your concern is whether you're going to have enough money to be a baller in Vancouver, stay in the 'Peg.

You will likely not know your base until the end of training. So if you accept the job, make it through training and then quit because you don't like your base, then that's pretty lame and you have taken the job of someone who would have done anything to be in your place.

Didn't notice if anyone answered per diem question but depends on the company. Some pay from push back, layover to gate upon return and others just from landing, layover, push back.

The lay-offs can be tough and many people don't make it through that. I knew a gal that was w/ AT years ago and in the first three years in YVR she'd only been online eight months total. The rest she had been layover. The turn over can be usually attributed to the fact that other folks find new jobs (flying or other) and stay where the stability is. A lot of other folks that get laid off go and get jobs at WJ or AC.

[winnipegguy]

Wasnt looking for a rant. have a degree and Diploma both. Thanks !

have lived in Europe, Middle East and India. I have also worked for KLM. Which is way bigger, to say that i know my stuff.

my apprehensions are intelligent looking at the companys ratings. The offer and the company's profile have to both look clear which it obviously isn't. Lay offs are rampant and who will go next time is clear it will be a ''new hire'' it's obvious that common sense isn't so common these days.

I have been told I can choose YUL and or YVR. thanks Goodbye!