Comeflywithme:
I just want to prepare you. It is an entirely different ball game at United. We do not fly pure aircraft trip pairings (at UA, we call them trip id's). It can be a somewhat lonely experience as a new-hire reserve. A trip id can consist of going from a 737 to an A-320, to a 767, to a 757 all in one duty period. It is not ideal, but it is what it is. For you to have serenity at United, my best advice is that you not compare the way we do things to the way things were done at AWA/US. Just accept the fact that it is going to be very different at United. We don't fly with the same cockpit crew most of the time, unlike many other airlines. United is a very compartmentalized company. The comraderie between F/A's, pilots, mechanics, and customer service agents at UA is sorely lacking. It is not necessarily a bad place to work, it is just very different compared to other airlines. The other thing that you should be prepared for is that United has been informing new-hires that they can expect to make about $24,000 their first year. From what I have been hearing on the line, the new hires aren't even making close to that amount. So be forewarned. Sign up for the 401k as soon as possible, since pensions are a thing of the past at UAL. My one last tidbit of advice is to not be afraid to jump into every work position. If you get juniored into a galley position on a 747, then embrace it and learn it. Don't be afraid to jump in. If a situation arises where you are forced to work the Purser position, then do it. When I started at United in 1995, I was often juniored into premium positions, including Purser on a Premium trans-con flight between SFO and JFK. In hindsight, it was actually a blessing. I learned very quickly how to work each F/A position that I was juniored into and then I became Purser Qualified, which has kept me off reserve at a time when F/A's that were 15 years my seniority were having to sit reserve. And finally, don't be afraid to exert your personal power. You will be juniored into positions such as the galley and the more senior F/A's will tell you how to do your job. Remember that you are in charge of the galley, if it is juniored down to you. You get to call the shots. Don't let those senior babes walk all over you. You're in charge! Best of luck...and welcome to the not-always-so-friendly, Friendly Skies!
Best,
Jamake1 😉
