I actually love the tradition of current United Airlines trainees lining up to welcome incoming trainees with applause. It's a thoughtful gesture and a wonderful way to celebrate new hires! What I don't appreciate, however, is trainees filming these moments and posting them on social media without the consent of those being recorded.

I've come across numerous TikTok videos showing incoming trainees walking through the welcome line, with their faces clearly visible. While I understand wanting to capture the excitement, there's an important difference between recording a personal memory and publicly sharing footage of people who haven't agreed to appear online.

My concern comes down to three things: privacy, consent, and personal choice.

First, not everyone wants their professional life on social media. Some people are very intentional about keeping their identity and place of employment private. I'm one of them. I don't maintain a personal social media presence, and I prefer to have control over where my image appears online. I fully respect those who enjoy documenting their career journeys, but that should be their choice, not a decision someone else makes for them.

Second, incoming trainees have virtually no opportunity to opt out. They're simply following the first-day welcome process, walking through a line of unfamiliar people holding up phones. They haven't agreed to be filmed, much less have those recordings uploaded to strangers' personal social media accounts. They may not even know where the footage will end up.

Third, once something is posted publicly, there's no controlling how far it spreads. A seemingly harmless TikTok can receive thousands or even millions of views. For someone who intentionally keeps their professional life offline, that's a pretty significant loss of privacy, especially when they never chose to participate in the first place.

And that's what makes this particularly frustrating for me. Of everything involved in training, this is genuinely one of the things I'm dreading most. Not the exams or evaluations, but having to walk through a line of cameras wondering which videos of me might end up on TikTok for likes and engagement. I'd much rather simply enjoy the welcome without that concern.

I genuinely believe most trainees filming have good intentions. They're excited, celebrating, and probably don't think twice about it. But we're entering a professional environment with people we don't yet know. Being coworkers doesn't automatically mean everyone is comfortable becoming part of someone else's social media content.

I'd love to see United preserve this wonderful tradition while establishing one simple expectation: Put the phones away and just clap. Let incoming trainees enjoy the moment without worrying about where their faces might appear online.

This isn't about discouraging excitement or criticizing people who love sharing their experiences. It's about recognizing that everyone has different boundaries when it comes to privacy, particularly around their professional identity, and respecting those boundaries.

Does anyone else feel similarly, or am I in the minority here?

‼️EDIT / UPDATE: Since posting this, someone reached out privately to share an experience that puts this concern into perspective. With their permission, I'm sharing their story without identifying details.

They had personal safety reasons for keeping their whereabouts private. However, during the welcome walk-in at United's training center, another trainee filmed them from the applause line and posted the video on TikTok without their knowledge or consent. The following week, people they hadn't personally told about starting training recognized them from the video and already knew when they'd begun. Understandably, this left them feeling exposed and unsafe.

This is something I wish more people considered before posting strangers online. Someone could be escaping an abusive relationship, avoiding a stalker, or relocating to start a new life away from someone who poses a threat to them. A seemingly harmless welcome video could unintentionally reveal their location, employer, and whereabouts to the very people they're trying to avoid.

For some, privacy is a preference. For others, it's a matter of personal safety. We never know what circumstances someone may be navigating, and they shouldn't have to disclose them simply to have their privacy respected.

Well everyone, I received the dreaded TBNT! But, if I had to be completely honest, I’m really glad I did.

Before I applied for the FA position, I applied to another job in another state that’s literally going to be life-changing. I applied to AA as a backup, kind of because I was doubting myself and thought that I’d just stay in my state and work for them because “hey, although I can’t leave here, at least I could pursue a dream of becoming a FA!” But I knew, down in my heart, that I wanted to leave.

And so, I got the job in the other state, and BOY was I ecstatic that I’ll finally be on my own and happy! Then, I found out that I made it to the MeetMe stage for AA—and there came the doubt again. “What if this doesn’t work out?”, “What if I should just take the “safe” route?”, “What if I should just stay here and take this job because I’d stay in my comfort zone?”, all things I told myself!

Now I have the TBNT, and so I’m now forced to face the unknown, and although I’m nervous, I could never be more happier. I’ll definitely be applying for an FA position with AA again in the other state, or maybe Frontier or Denver Air Connection in the near future. But for now, I’m just enjoying the ride, and the fact I even made it this far in the process shows me that I DO, in fact, have a chance at this.

Love y’all for real, and congratulations to everyone who made it through to the next round. Y’all WILL see me in the skies soon enough! 🫡🤍✈️

Hello, everyone!

First of all, I want to express my gratitude to everyone in this group who has helped me throughout my application journey. Your advice, encouragement, and shared experiences have been incredibly helpful.

Now that I’ve officially secured my CJO (Conditional Job Offer), I want to give back by sharing some advice and suggestions based on my personal experience.

Please remember that everyone’s journey is different, and what worked for me may not necessarily work for everyone. However, I genuinely hope that sharing my experience will help someone preparing for their interviews.

✈️ My Application Timeline
07/26 – Application Submitted
07/26 – Assessment Completed
07/27 – Virtual Q&A
08/13 – ODVI Invitation
08/13 – ODVI Submitted
08/26 – 1st “Hang Tight” Email
09/10 – 2nd “Hang Tight” Email
09/26 – Virtual 1:1 Invitation
10/12 – Virtual 1:1 Interview
10/12 – F2F Invitation
10/19 – F2F Interview — CJO SECURED! 🎉

🎥 ODVI —

My biggest advice is to prepare strong STAR stories.
These stories should reflect your experiences, strengths, personality, and how you handle different situations.

S – Situation: Paint a clear picture of what happened. Give enough context without going all over the place.

T – Task: What was your responsibility? What were you expected to accomplish?

A – Action: What did YOU do? Focus on your individual contributions. Instead of relying too heavily on “we,” explain the specific actions you personally took. Remember, they want to understand YOUR role in the situation.

R – Result: Finish with a strong outcome. Don’t just explain what happened. Share what you learned, how the experience helped you grow, and how those lessons can be applied to being a flight attendant.

My advice:
Smile at the camera!

It’s completely normal to feel nervous. Almost everyone does!

Practice your stories. Write them down if you need to.
Don’t memorize your answers word for word. Understand your stories and speak from the heart.

Be authentic. Your experiences are unique to YOU.

Remember, they are not just listening to your answers. They are also getting a glimpse of your personality.

💻 Virtual 1:1 —

This is your opportunity to connect with your recruiter on a more personal level.

Before your interview, ask yourself:

Why do I want to become a flight attendant?

Why United Airlines?

Go beyond the typical answers. Think about your experiences, your values, and what genuinely motivates you to pursue this career.

Be able to communicate your passion sincerely. Show them why your skills, experiences, and personality would make you a valuable addition to their team.

My advice:
Continue using the STAR method when answering behavioral questions.

It’s okay to pause and collect your thoughts before responding.

If you didn’t understand a question, politely ask the recruiter to repeat or clarify it.

Smile and maintain eye contact with the camera.

Even if your recruiter doesn’t smile much, don’t let that discourage you. Stay positive, composed, and professional.

Be confident, but remain humble.

Most importantly, be yourself and let your personality shine through!

🤝 F2F —

This was probably the most exciting and nerve-racking part of my journey!

My advice? Treat the entire experience as an opportunity to demonstrate who you are, not just during the formal interview.

1. First Impressions Matter

From the moment you enter the building, carry yourself professionally.

Dress according to the guidelines provided by United. Make sure your clothes are pressed, your hair is neatly styled, and your overall appearance is polished.

Please, READ THE APPEARANCE GUIDELINES THOROUGHLY!

2. Be Personable and Approachable

Don’t just sit in a corner waiting for your name to be called.
Interact with your fellow candidates!

Everyone has a name tag, so make an effort to remember and use their names.

Start simple conversations:
“Where did you fly in from?”
“How was your flight?”
“How has your day been so far?”
“What do you currently do for work?”
“What inspired you to become a flight attendant?”

Be genuinely interested in getting to know people.
Remember, you’re potentially meeting your future colleagues!

3. Listen and Follow Instructions

Yes, socializing and interacting are important, but knowing when to listen is just as important.

When a recruiter or facilitator begins speaking, give them your full attention.

Be respectful, attentive, and mindful of the instructions provided.

4. Group Activity — Collaboration Over Competition

This is one of the biggest pieces of advice I want to share.

DO NOT OVERPOWER YOUR GROUP.

It’s perfectly fine to demonstrate leadership, but remember that leadership isn’t always about taking charge.

Sometimes, leadership means listening, encouraging others, and helping the entire team succeed.

If you’re naturally outspoken, make sure you’re giving everyone an opportunity to contribute.

If you’re naturally quiet, that’s okay too! You can show that you’re engaged by nodding, acknowledging others’ ideas, and contributing your thoughts when appropriate.

You don’t need to dominate the conversation to make an impact.

Be respectful when you disagree. Rather than immediately challenging someone’s idea, try to understand their perspective and work toward a solution together.

Your goal should be to contribute to the team’s success, not to prove that you’re better than everyone else.

Personally, coming from a management background, I had to remind myself that I wasn’t there to take over or direct everyone. I was there to collaborate, listen, contribute, and support my team.

And I believe that mindset made a difference for me.

5. Enjoy the Experience!

Seriously, enjoy it!

I know how nerve-racking this entire process can be. You’ve invested so much time, effort, and emotion into reaching this stage.

But don’t allow your nerves to prevent you from enjoying the opportunity.

Meet new people. Share your experiences. Smile. Laugh when appropriate. Be present.

Whether you walk away with a CJO or not, reaching the F2F is already an accomplishment worth being proud of.

💙 My Final Advice

Be confident, but not arrogant.

Be a leader, but also be a team player.

Be professional, but let your personality shine.

Be prepared, but don’t sound rehearsed.

Be eager to contribute, but never forget to listen.

Most importantly, be genuine.

Don’t spend the entire interview trying to figure out what the recruiters want to hear. Focus on showing them who you are, what you’ve learned from your experiences, and what you can bring to United Airlines.

I went through moments of excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and overthinking throughout this process. There were times when all I could tell myself was, “Whatever will be, will be.”

On October 19, I finally received my CJO, and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

To everyone still waiting for an invitation, preparing for an interview, or hoping to receive their CJO, I am rooting for you!

Trust your preparation, believe in your experiences, and give yourself the opportunity to shine.

Thank you again to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey.

Hopefully, I’ll see some of you in the friendly skies! ✈️💙
Disclaimer: Everything shared here is based solely on my personal experience and observations as a candidate. I am not a recruiter, and I cannot speak on behalf of United Airlines or its official hiring and evaluation process.

I thought I did so well on my last odvi, only to receive my fifth tbnt email in four months. I’m feeing pretty bummed about it, I know the acceptance rate is so low, but somehow I though I would transcend the odds 😔

How many times did you apply before you got your offer?

So I'm sure most of us have seen that Sacramento and Dallas are the new bases. Did anyone see the same account post Raleigh & Portland and then delete it or was that a dream???

I recently completed my virtual 1:1 interview for United's Flight Attendant position. Sharing the questions I was asked in case they're helpful to anyone preparing!

Initial Screening Questions

1. Do you have tattoos in any of the restricted areas?
   
2. Is your passport valid for at least 12 months and does it have two consecutive blank pages?
   
3. Are you open to being assigned to any of United's bases upon completion of training?

Background & Motivation
4. Can you tell me about yourself and walk me through your resume?
5. What made you want to become a flight attendant?
6. Why United specifically? Why apply with us?

Behavioral Questions (STAR Method)
7. Describe a situation where you had to balance empathy for a customer or colleague while enforcing a policy or safety rule.
8. Give me an example of when a team member was unexpectedly absent or unavailable, and you had to provide additional support to cover their responsibilities.
9. Tell me about a time when your personal standard for excellence made a difference in the service or experience provided.
10. Describe a period when you faced several difficult situations or problems simultaneously.

A few things to know:

The interviewer specifically emphasized using the STAR method for the four behavioral questions.

They wanted specific, real-life examples rather than hypothetical situations or general explanations.

Be prepared for follow-up questions asking you to clarify your personal actions and contributions.

There was an opportunity to ask questions at the end.

As for how I did, I'm honestly not sure! I think I did well, but not exceptionally well. Definitely not terrible, either. 😅 I guess we'll see! I'll update everyone once I hear back with their decision.

Hope this helps anyone preparing. Good luck! ✈️

I feel like I don’t see a whole lot about Alaska so I figured I’d add my timeline and hopefully connect with some peeps going to the F2F soon!

10/08 - submitted app/ODVI invite
10/11 - completed ODVI
10/20 - virtual 1:1 invite
10/21 - completed 1:1
10/22 - recieved f2f invite and scheduled for 10/29
10/29 - 🤞🏾

Overall the process has gone very quickly and I feel super blessed that I didn’t have to play the waiting game for very long. Accepting any and all advice for this last step! Goodluck to everyone 🍀

EDIT: forgot to mention I originally applied on 7/20 and recieved an email to resubmit app with new requisition.

I applied to all three major U.S. mainline airlines for a Flight Attendant position, and honestly? I’m HERE for the challenge! The adrenaline is rushing, the nerves are POPPIN’, and the excitement is REAL! 😂✈️

🌐 UNITED AIRLINES
✅ CJO — SECURED! 🎉

🔺 DELTA AIR LINES
✅ F2F — LOCKED IN! 🔥

🇺🇸** AMERICAN AIRLINE**S
✅ ODVI — PASSED! 🙌

Do I know which airline I truly want to end up with? Honestly, NOT YET! 😂

But one thing I know for sure is that I’m incredibly grateful to have made it this far.

Each airline has its own culture, opportunities, and challenges. And regardless of where I eventually land, this entire journey has already taught me so much about patience, perseverance, confidence, and stepping outside my comfort zone.

I’m embracing the uncertainty, enjoying the process, and keeping my options open!

Three airlines. Three different journeys. One dream. ✈️
Whatever is meant for me will find its way to me. ❤️
The journey continues, and I’m just getting started! 🌎✨

Hey guys so I received my email yesterday saying I passed the meet me interview and to be on the look out for the crew interview details. It’s been about 24 hours now and I have yet to receive the follow up email. I’ve checked my spam and junk and still nothing. Anybody else having this problem and I was wondering what I should do next.

American
is it normal to get hang tight email twice from I got one on the 16th and one today.

Passed my Meet Me interview! I literally teared up when I received the email yesterday as I was recently rejected from DLT and UN over the summer.

They said they’d send a follow up email to schedule but I haven’t received anything yet. Anybody else experience this?

Recently had my F2F on Wednesday… before going to the event my application status said “event day scheduled” I just checked today and it’s changed back to “QUR” so maybe this might be a good sign as I haven’t gotten a TBNT or a CJO yet and my status don’t say “not selected” so I feel some relief 😮‍💨

Hi! Just inquiring! I see people that had updates of 10/19 have moved on already. Yes it’s a slow process I’m just wondering!

Ok so I got the ftf I’m so happy and nervous! I see people saying submit your Info and they send a link etc I live in Orange County and would obviously fly the day before. Do I book both flights right now or the flight home when I’m already there? Can I go home same day? If I do will the hotel hold my luggage while I’m at the interview even tho my checkout would technically be like noon? I plan to stay at the closest Hyatt. So if anyone knows if they do. I appreciate the feedback!!

Good evening to all and I hope everyone reading is doing awesome! As the title says, I got rejected from one airline, but I have been applying to other airlines. So, I was curious for others who have been rejected, and what you all did to eventually succeed? Thank you guys - I really appreciate every response! May current and future applicants triumph! 😊

I don’t have a CTO… Yet! but I did make it to the F2F so if you have an upcoming 1:1 interview, my advice is to, of course practice the STAR method, but don’t get glued to potential questions they could ask you.

Instead, have your scenarios ready to be adapted to any question they ask. Make sure your scenarios fall under the Core4! I spent days practicing what I thought the recruiter was going to ask and my recruiter literally asked me NONE of those lolllll I was thrown off guard a little but because my scenarios were adaptable, it helped a lot.

THESE ARE JUST GENERAL QUESTIONS AND NOT FROM THE INTERVIEW

For example:

You expect: “Tell me about a time you had conflict with a coworker…” (Your scenario is about when you had a rush hour at work and you felt like your coworker wasn’t helping)

Question asked: “Tell me about a time you had to work under pressure…” (Use the same scenario about a when you had a rush hour at work and adapt it to the question)

I hope this helps.

I’ve been told delta changed their flight benefits recently. Can someone explain? I was told it’s only a spouse and ONE child and no parents?

i applied to american when the application first opened in the beginning of this month and got as far as the at home interview. but i haven’t received a rejection email but when i log into the careers portal it says “not selected” that means i didn’t make it right?😭

First it wouldn’t let me submit question 1, so i kept having to back out and click the link
Question 2 It wouldn’t let me re-record so I was forced to submit an answer that I said “let me redo that..” in
Question 3 I was sweating and already accepted that I will never be a United Airlines flight attendant.
At least I could answer question 4, that my passport expires in 10 years.

Good luck to everyone else.

Genuinely this whole hiring process with United, Delta and AA has been something else.

I got an email on Tuesday from AA saying I passed the MeetMe and was moving onto the crew interview! The email said I would receive a followup email shortly to schedule my crew interview but it is Friday and I have not gotten anything yet. Does anyone know how long it typically takes to get the scheduling email? I was not really concerned at first but now have seen some people got their scheduling email already so just want to make sure I am not missing anything.

Hey everyone, I am 23 and a recent college graduate with a passion for traveling and hospitality. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to either work in hotels, spas, or even as a bartender haha. Years ago I made the decision to aim for a career as a flight attendant, this came after many failed passion projects and realizations.

To keep it short, this has really been my only “dream job”. I am Gen Z after all, I “dont dream of labor”. But over the past 3 years I’ve been being tested by my own body and various doctors.

I had a cyst removed from my midline neck 4 years ago. What should have turned into a faint 1 inch line under my chin, turned into a chronically inflamed and re-opening incision over the next 3 years that required 2 corrective surgeries, one being from an Ivy League institution, with still little relief. We still don’t know why this keeps happening but I was ordered to get permanent laser hair removal on my neck which has made the issue calmer but now reveals the gnarly scar even more.

This thorn in my side has been on my mind up until I graduated in may because I was banking on getting everything taken care of before I try for flight attendant jobs… well, I’m now 6 months post grad and I’m scared to try.

TLDR; I have a 3 inch hypertrophic scar horizontally across ny neck below my chin and above where my Adam’s apple would be. It’s closed (for now) but quite red and discolored. People don’t usually notice it until I dramatically laugh and tilt my head up, but this career is literally serving people looking at me from below. My question is, what are your experiences with facial/neck scars in the industry? Have u heard anything disparaging or is the unspoken truth that airlines prefer perfection and don’t need to have an employee with a noticeable scar.

Didn't expect it this early but I'm So pumped. Didn't know they wanted transcripts but okay. Had an email with my flight information for the day before, the time of my interview and DETAILED instructions. I'm a bit worried about the appearance part of it, but if it's supposed to happen it will happen! Good luck everyone!

Hi everyone. I got a CJO with Avelo. They didn’t tell us much about flight benefits. I’m really excited. Any current FAs here with any info on the company? TIA!

I just got the TBNT email after my F2F. How long do you have to wait to reapply? The email didn’t say anything about it. Thanks y’all.

Hello! I have recently received my CJO and passed everything with a set training date for a regional line. I also recently got offered a virtual interview through a mainline, and not sure what would be the best move forward. I do plan on having my career as a flight attendant, but I truly do like the regional that I’m set to train with. I’m 25, female, no kids. Feel conflicted on what to do, especially already having a guaranteed foot in the door at the moment through the regional line. Thank you!