Flight attendants generally do not get to fully pick their own schedules. However, experienced flight attendants often have more flexibility and input in creating their monthly schedule. Here is an overview of how flight attendant schedules work:
Bidding for Schedules
Most airlines use a bidding system where flight attendants can submit schedule requests or “bids” each month. Bids allow flight attendants to indicate their preferences for trips they want to work. However, bids are not guarantees. Seniority and operational needs determine who gets awarded certain trips.
Seniority
Seniority is a major factor in the bidding process. Flight attendants with higher seniority get priority for bidding on schedules. At most airlines, the most senior flight attendants can “hold”onto certain trips as long as they bid for them each month. More junior flight attendants may not get their preferred trips until there is enough seniority.
Company Needs
The airline creates monthly flight schedules based on passenger demand and operational needs. Flat attendants can only bid on open trips in the schedule. If there are not enough domestic trips in the schedule, attendants who want primarily domestic trips will be limited.
Bidding Order
The order that flight attendants bid also matters. At many airlines, the most senior flight attendants bid first for each round. Junior flight attendants may miss out on bidding on popular trips that fill up.
Schedule Flexibility
While the bidding system limits control, attendants do have some flexibility within their awarded monthly schedule.
Trading Trips
Flight attendants can mutually switch awarded trips with other attendants. This allows attendants to trade trips to create a preferable schedule. However, trip trades must be approved by the airline and consider required rest times.
Giving Away Trips
If a flight attendant cannot or does not want to work certain trips, they can give away those trips to other attendants. This allows attendants to drop unwanted trips from their schedule.
Picking Up Open Trips
Flight attendants can pick up open trips that become available after the monthly schedule is finalized. This allows attendants to add trips and increase flight hours.
Monthly Flying Requirements
Most airlines have minimum monthly flight hour requirements for flight attendants. Requirements vary but can range from 50-80 hours per month. Attendants must meet these minimum hours through their awarded schedule, trading, giving away, and picking up flights.
Reserve Duty
Many airlines also require flight attendants to be on “reserve duty” for a certain number of days per month. This means the attendant must be available on call to cover any last minute trip assignments. Reserve duty days are assigned in the monthly schedule rather than bid on.
Influence of Domicile
A flight attendant’s airport base or “domicile” also impacts schedule flexibility. Major hubs offer more daily flights, allowing more options for trading and picking up trips. Smaller domiciles have fewer flights, limiting schedule choices.
Conclusion
While flight attendants cannot freely choose their own schedules, experienced attendants do have ways to adjust their schedule each month through seniority, trading, giving away, and picking up trips. However, the amount of flexibility depends on seniority, domicile, and the airline. Many new flight attendants will not have much control over their monthly schedule.