10 Secrets Flight Attendants Rarely Share Plus Pro Tips for Your Most Comfortable Flights

8. Pay often starts only when the aircraft door shuts.

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On many carriers, hourly pay begins only after the door is closed. Time spent greeting passengers, assisting with stowage, or waiting during delays on the ground may go unpaid.

This structure, unusual compared with other service roles, demands careful personal time management. Extended ground holds can stretch fatigue while generating no flight pay, adding pressure to an already demanding schedule.