ftm and applying to be flight attendant? any info?

[El Capitan]

alright everyone?

I've always loved flying and to be honest the job of cabin crew really appeals to me. The only problem is that I'm pre-everything and stealth. I'd want to be recruited as a male member (or even just wearing the male uniform I guess) but maybe this isn't possible

Other than emailing the airlines themselves (oh yeah, not sure how to word the emails either) can anyone give any useful info or related stories?

I'm in the UK by the way. (oh and in University for another 2/3 years)

if this doesn't make sense, I blame typing whilst tired 

[RyGuy]

one of the first things you could do is look up different airline co's on the Human Rights Campaign site for gender and sexual equality (I forget what it's called... I think it's called the Corporate Equality Index). if they're rated really well, chances are they're trans friendly. you can even look them up in different categories. to have a perfect score on the equality index you have to include transgender surgeries in your employee health plan, so if you find a company with a perfect score, you should DEFINITELY consider.

[Nygeel]

I know there's usually a height/reach requirement. They also make you do a physical and might be looking for people that meet what the company wants between height and weight.

[RyGuy]

I know there's usually a height/reach requirement. They also make you do a physical and might be looking for people that meet what the company wants between height and weight.

Nygeel you are probably right, but I'll add that I've never been surrounded by hulking basketball star flight attendants on any plane. I don't know how tall the OP is but I would guess an average height would suffice.

[El Capitan]

thanks so far dudes. I tried looking for the statements Ryan, but all I found was one stating that it was an equal opportunities employer. I'll have a more thorough search tomorrow.

Nygeel, the minimum is 5ft 2 for most as far as I can see. I'm (unfortunately ) 5ft 3 (barely made it but still should be happy I guess)

This is probably just another far fetched dream as is my dream of being a cop or a firefighter lol

[El Capitan]

whoops, just read ryan's post again.. I didn't realise there was a website I could look up (I thought you meant to look at each website individually) I skim read, I apologize

EDIT: I looked and it seems to only be a US thing.

cheers anyway

[Sharky]

I didn't know there were male flight attendants now. I imagination having jet lag as part of your job would really suck.

[apple pie]

Hmmm I've always seen male flight attendants on every flight I took ever since I was little... a lot fewer than female ones of course but they've always been there...

[Ann Onymous]

Hmmm I've always seen male flight attendants on every flight I took ever since I was little... a lot fewer than female ones of course but they've always been there...

concur with this...USAir seems to have more than some other airlines I have been on recently (at least in the first class cabin), and I know Southwest was known for having a significant number of male FA's.  Of course, both are US based and may be outside of what OP is looking for...

My guess is that the task for OP becomes more difficult being in the UK given that there are probably a greater number of flights that cross borders and therefore become flights where proper documentation (ie. passport) becomes a necessity for a cross-gender transition from the beginning of the employment period... 

[malinkibear]

I was actually researching this myself last week, because it's a career path I'm somewhat interested in.
From what I can see, it shouldn't be a problem. I read several accounts of people who have worked or flown with transgender pilots and cabin crew, and there wasn't a problem. A few years ago there were some people who got fired over it, but in this day and age we're protected by law. BA seems to have a good record with transgender staff, info on the other airlines wasn't much, but it shouldn't stop you seeking employment with them.
They care about your physical fitness and people skills. I don't know if you'd have to tell your employers about your trans status for medical/documentation reasons, but there should be no real reason your co-workers would be informed. I'd say just ring or email a few of the major airline careers centres, and ask for their policy.

[LilKittyCatZoey]

Depends on the airline i mean 9 of 10 i have used girls are in micro skirts and the 1 of 10 they were in dresses but i am sure you could negotiate a deal after a while of being one if you make yourself a valuable employee  but i say dont keep your hopes up because career uniforms in those fields depend on whats between our legs

[sneakersjay]

I have met many male flight attendants when flying; they are not rare at all.  Most are clearly gay, but who cares? I like a little eye candy when I fly, ROFL.


Jay

[sneakersjay]

I should add you have a few years yet; you could fully transition and then apply.  Might be easier than transitioning on the job.


Jay

[MaxAloysius]

Depends on the airline i mean 9 of 10 i have used girls are in micro skirts and the 1 of 10 they were in dresses but i am sure you could negotiate a deal after a while of being one if you make yourself a valuable employee  but i say dont keep your hopes up because career uniforms in those fields depend on whats between our legs

I completely disagree. I've been on a lot of plane trips over the years, and I've met many male flight attendants, and many female flight attendants wearing the male/unisex uniform. I haven't seen a tiny skirt (or any skirt for that matter) of a FA in forever, I think practicality and free choice has almost eliminated them from the uniform completely. Though these are Australian air lines I'm talking about, so it could be different based on our more free culture.

As many others here have said, I don't really see why it should be a problem for you or the airline you decide to work with. Though until you have your ID changed and everything the check in through every terminal could be a pain in the arse.

[LilKittyCatZoey]

I completely disagree. I've been on a lot of plane trips over the years, and I've met many male flight attendants, and many female flight attendants wearing the male/unisex uniform. I haven't seen a tiny skirt (or any skirt for that matter) of a FA in forever, I think practicality and free choice has almost eliminated them from the uniform completely. Though these are Australian air lines I'm talking about, so it could be different based on our more free culture.

As many others here have said, I don't really see why it should be a problem for you or the airline you decide to work with. Though until you have your ID changed and everything the check in through every terminal could be a pain in the arse.

oh i am talking about south africa sorry