Because of variations in scheduling and limitations on flying time, many attendants have 11 or more days off each month. Attendants may be away from their home base at least one-third of the time. During this period, the airlines provide hotel accommodations and an allowance for meal expenses. The combination of free time and discount air fares provides flight attendants the opportunity to travel and see new places. However, the work can be strenuous and trying.
Short flights require speedy service if meals are served.
A rough flight can make serving drinks and meals difficult. Attendants stand during much of the flight and must remain pleasant and efficient regardless of how tired they are or how demanding passengers may be. Flight attendants are susceptible to injury because of the job demands in a moving aircraft. Employment Flight attendants held about 105,000 jobs in 1994. Commercial airlines employed the vast majority of all flight attendants, most of whom were stationed in major cities at the airlines' home bases.