United Airlines to Hire 2,000 New Flight Attendants

United Airlines to Hire 2,000 New Flight Attendants

United Airlines, world's No.2 carrier, has announced its plans to hire new flight attendants for the first time in four years. This move is part of its strategy to restructure and emerge from a three-year long bankruptcy protection.

The hiring of 2,000 new flight attendants will begin in Chicago, where United Airlines is based. One third of the recruitment will be made for the Washington Dulles International Airport which is a major hub for its flights.

United Airlines has been under the Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after the 9/11 slump. More than 5000 flight attendants were retrenched during the bankruptcy. The new hires come in the wake of United's bid to shift from the domestic market to the international market. “As we fly more routes internationally, those routes, those flights require more flight attendants than in the domestic flights because on the international flights there's a higher level of service,” said Robin Urbanski, spokeswoman for the airlines.

The hires indicate a revival of the ramshackle industry. “They need these people because their airplanes are full. [The hires] show that demand is strong and could signal growth of additional service at Dulles,” commented Michael J. Boyd, an analyst at the consulting firm the Boyd Group.

Due to the bankruptcy protection, the airlines would be offering a lower base pay of $17,000 a year with the total salary amounting to $24,000 per year approximately. Perks like retirement plans, health insurance, paid vacations and travel privileges will also be given. Flight attendants laid off from other airlines are being encouraged to apply and so are applicants with no prior experience. Applications will be taken via the official website of the airlines. The short listed candidates will have to appear for personal interviews. Minimum age of 21 years and willingness to fly internationally are the major eligibility criteria.