A former flight attendant has revealed why she quit her job after just one year – and how much she earned as a result.
Virgin Airlines host Ashlee Rogers has shared the reasons behind her “bittersweet” decision to leave the aviation industry.
She says the disadvantages of being a flight attendant began to outweigh the advantages and she has now decided to pursue a career as a social media influencer.
Ms Rogers explained that flight attendants could be expected to work “any hour of every day of the week” while working shifts.
“It changes every day, it changes every week and I found that in itself very tiring,” she said.
“Aviation is a 24-hour industry and it never stops. Because there are shifts and hundreds of employees, it is very difficult to be flexible.”
“It’s hard to get time off and change shifts. “You have to give your annual leave months in advance and even then it might not be approved.”
Virgin Airlines host Ashlee Rogers has shared the reasons behind her ‘bittersweet’ decision to leave the aviation industry (pictured)
Mrs. Rogers added that she earns $1,000 a week after taxes, but could have earned more if she worked more night shifts.
She explained that the scheduling system is determined by individual preferences, such as weekends off and preference for early or late shifts. However, these preferences are not guaranteed.
“So planning your life around work is a bit difficult, it’s doable, but it’s just a bit more difficult,” she continued.
Her third reason for resigning was the unpredictability of the airline industry.
“Nothing is guaranteed.” Your shift for that day is not even guaranteed. Whatever you have tomorrow, there is no guarantee. Everything can change in a second,” she said.
“You might just turn up and work a day shift, the next moment you might be gone for four days.” They don’t know what will happen.
“They can send you almost anywhere, anytime.”
“Of course there are rules about that, but they can only change your schedule, they can change the shifts you have.”
Mrs. Rogers said the rosters were sent out just a month in advance, so flight attendants didn’t know if they would be away overnight or on standby days.
“When you have on-call days, you don’t know where you’re going or what you’re doing.” I like to be organized. “I like to know what I’m doing,” she said.
Her last reason was simply that she was more of a homebody.
“As fun as it is to spend the night and explore new places and things like that, as time went on, I started to dread it and didn’t want to leave,” she said.
“I didn’t want to leave my partner, I just wanted to be home with him and when I was in those hotels, all I could think was: I want to be home.”
“I don’t even like that aspect of the job.”
The aspiring influencer decided to pursue a career in social media after discovering that the disadvantages of being a flight attendant began to outweigh the advantages (pictured).
Ms Rogers (pictured) explained that she was expected to work “24 hours a day, every day of the week” as flight attendants work shifts.
Ms Rogers said she met some “amazing” people and that being a flight attendant can be the best job in the world if you make it your lifestyle.
“And besides, it’s a great lifestyle, but it’s a lifestyle on their terms, on your employer’s terms. You can be in Bali one week and Fiji the next, or you can be in Perth and it’s great, it’s a great lifestyle,” she said.
“Basically you travel for free, you can go to all these great places, but it’s not free time, if you know what I mean.”
“So if you can adapt and just surrender to the services they provide you wherever they want to send you, then you will love the job and probably stay in the job forever.
“I will definitely miss flying and am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and I met so many people I never would have met before.
“But now it’s time for my next chapter.”
Her views on the industry resonated with Aussies.
“My daughter is literally gone today. She wasn’t far and it just made her sick and exhausted. She’s sad because she loves her job,” one person said.
“Girl my life has changed since I stopped flying! I feel refreshed and I don’t get nearly as sick, it’s amazing,” said a second.
“It depends on the airline, mine doesn’t have many of these issues, it’s so easy to exchange with mine and get free,” said a third.
A fourth shared: “Yes yes yes! You literally explained all the reasons why I gave up this lifestyle… Thanks for the reassurance. I needed it today.’
Ms Rogers (pictured) explained that flight schedules were sent out only a month in advance, so flight attendants could not plan their lives like other full-time workers
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
