Understanding Pay for FA's.
I may have posted this before, if I didn't, everyone should read.
Most FA's get paid with a term called a 'Flight Hour'. It's essentially the time from when the plane backs up (push back/block out) to the time it opens the door (block in). For most regionals, it's $18/hr, for most Mainline, it's $26/hr starting. What this means is that if you did a 1 hour trip to Poughkeepsie New York, and it was a turn (meaning you go back home), you will most likely spend AT MINIMUM, an hour before the flight (most likely 2+), an hour in Poughkeepsie, and an hour home, plus an extra 15-20 minutes doing whatever paperwork or stuff you need to do. So, that means, that you spent approximately 4.5 hours total (or more) for 2 flight hours, or $36. This means you made $8/hr for your total time working if were at a regional, or $11.56 per hour if you were mainline.
So, what does it mean if you are "GUARANTEED" a salary? Let's say you are guaranteed 75 flight hours per month. That means, no matter what, you will get paid a Regional Airline salary of 75 x $18/flight hour =$1,350/month. This doesn't mean you will only work 75 hours. In fact, you will probably most likely have to work close to 120-160 total hours (40 hrs/week) for hourly wages of $8-$11/hour.
Now, let's break that down. (yes, in addition, you get per diem, some of which is taxed, some of which is not, but I will not talk about that now, as it can be a lot, but it also can not be a lot, and also it can be deducted for uniforms or luggage, making it effectively zero).
So, 75 x $18 is $1,350/month before taxes. That leaves you about $1,000 per month after taxes. So, essentially, you are getting a check for $250/week after taxes. Assuming you have no student loans, but you do have to pay your $75/mo. phone bill, and you have $300 crash pad, and $100 a month for a bus/train monthly pass, you are now down to $525/month, or about $130/week for food, dry cleaning, UBER's, booze, movies, dates, hair care products, gym memberships, etc. Or about $18/day is what you have left.
It's very important to understand the financials.
Yes, you will get a small per diem which can add up. Yes you also have union dues at some airlines, and uniforms at others.
Understanding how your budget works will help you better be prepared for the actual costs of what life is on the road. Having credit card debt, car payment, insurance, student loans, and you will be upside down before you even start.