^{This text initially appeared on Enterprise Insider.}

This as-told-to essay relies on a transcribed dialog with Arta Uma Upmale, a 26-year-old social-media supervisor and part-time flight attendant at airBaltic, Latvia’s flagship service airline. The next has been edited for size and readability.

I began at airBaltic in 2021 as a social-media supervisor. I cherished my job, after which it received even higher — I had the possibility to develop into a part-time flight attendant.

After pandemic restrictions lifted and air journey received again to regular, airBaltic wanted further plane employees, so it launched its “Workplace within the Sky” program. It permits the corporate’s workplace employees to bear cabin-crew coaching and take flying shifts a couple of instances a month round their full-time jobs.

I used to be a little bit of an anxious flyer, however I utilized. I noticed it as an opportunity to make further revenue — offered and supported by my employer. I used to be inquisitive about what the cabin-crew job was like. I additionally needed to expertise the coaching, which I believed could be enjoyable.

I used to be chosen for additional coaching after passing well being checks and psychological exams.

I had no thought how intensive cabin-crew coaching was

Whether or not you are a full-time or part-time cabin crew member, there aren’t any shortcuts. We had been taught the ins and outs of the plane and the right way to deal with all conditions and eventualities that may occur on board — from sad passengers to first support and emergency landings.

We needed to learn a whole lot of pages of coaching supplies and manuals. There have been dozens of exams and sensible workout routines. As soon as, we needed to role-play a passenger rescue mission after an emergency water touchdown. We had been dumped right into a pool with life vests on whereas synthetic waves tossed us round and helicopter sounds performed within the background.

I spent three evenings every week and each second Saturday within the coaching middle for 4 months. It was exhausting however attention-grabbing. AirBaltic additionally paid me a stipend on high of my wage the complete time, which was further motivation to hold on.

When the coaching concluded, I needed to take a number of coaching flights and go a line examine. That is when a cabin-crew teacher observes the trainee’s work throughout a flight earlier than they’ll begin flying duties.

I began coaching in October 2022 and did my first shift in April 2023.

Now, I largely fly two instances a month and as much as 4 instances a month throughout peak season. I am not anxious when flying — I understand how the plane works, so each little sound, beep, or squeak makes excellent sense to me.

I get pleasure from being a part of the cabin crew, however my precedence is my workplace job

Balancing flying with my workplace work includes strategic scheduling. I take early morning, night, and weekend shifts to make sure I do not miss any commitments for my full-time job.

For instance, a fast 6 a.m. flight from Riga to Helsinki and again means I am finished by 10 a.m. and may be again within the workplace for my working day.

On weekends, I want longer flights. My favourite is Lisbon, which is a 4 ½ hour flight from Riga. I get pleasure from sharing journey ideas with passengers and noting concepts for my future journeys.

Longer flights equal increased earnings, too. Flying shifts are paid by the hour. As an present airBaltic worker, I obtain extra time pay.

If I’ve free time on flights, I work on my every day duties as a social-media supervisor. I speak to colleagues and passengers for content material inspiration, take images and movies, and draft posts. On lengthy flights, I often have extra time for it.

An element-time cabin-crew job fits me completely

For the reason that coaching was finished, this aspect gig hasn’t taken up a lot of my free time. It is fairly predictable — so long as it would not intervene with my workplace duties, I do know I will have at the very least two shifts a month. This function can be an excellent match for me; I am a folks individual and like taking good care of passengers.

On the flip aspect, being a flight attendant is just not for you should you do not like working with folks. This job requires robust communication abilities and empathy. And you must be prepared for endless coaching, exams, and line checks to fulfill the trade’s security necessities. Some could discover this burdensome.

In my case, this job additionally requires me to be extremely versatile if I would like further shifts. I could get a name in the course of the day to cowl one that very same night, with little time to consider it.

Combining flight attending with one other job is extra sensible than I believed

The “Workplace within the Sky” program could also be distinctive to airBaltic, however the flexibility of being cabin crew is common. I’ve colleagues who work as cabin crew full time and mix their work with being architects, physiotherapists, and private trainers.

A cabin-crew job may be as versatile or fastened as you want, relying on the kind of roster you select. In the event you like touring whereas pursuing one other career, turning into a part of a cabin crew is one solution to do it.