Sitting Reserve

Although it's not the most desirable thing to do, sitting reserve is just part of the job. As a junior flight attendant more times than not you will be stuck on reserve for anywhere from 6 months to 6 years. Don't let this interfere with your desire to become a flight attendant. Yes holding a line gives you more control over your life and your schedule, but being on reserve is like a new adventure every month. You never know when you are going and you never know where you may end up. You still have guaranteed days off and some airlines have better reserve systems than others. Some airlines have rotating reserve where you are holding 3 months and sitting reserve 1 month. Other's you are on reserve until you become senior enough to hold a line. Some senior flight attendants I know intentionally bid reserve because it guarantees them the days off they want and allows more opportunities to fly to different destinations. When I was flying with TWA it allowed me to go to Paris and London, as well as Hawaii and the Carribean. None of these destinations would have ended up in my line as a line holder. It's all how you look at it. Yes I can't wait to hold a line again and get control over my schedule a little more, but the fact is, reserve is not as bad as it sounds. Have a great day, safe flying and as always I support our troops.

JWH

CHQ/FA