The Salary of Flight Attendants for Spirit Airlines
In addition to the opportunity to meet various people while traveling the world, flight attendants earn a decent living. Even those working for smaller companies such as Spirit Airlines earn decent wages as a result of union contracts. With as many as 150 flights headed out daily and 600 flight attendants, Spirit Airlines flight attendants receive guaranteed pay along with a variety of benefits, and those with the most experience often earn the highest wages among the company's flight attendants.
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Average Salary
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The average salary for beginning flight attendants, as of 2011, is $14,847 according to the Cabin Crew Jobs website, which cites statistics from the Association of Flight Attendants. The average annual wages of all flight attendants was $38,820, with the highest earners making approximately $56,610 as of 2011. In comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the average salary of flight attendants at $35,930 as of 2008 with the highest earners making more than $65,350 per year.
A Closer Look
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In spite of being considered full-time workers, flight attendants may only work a few days a week. In the most recent collective bargaining agreement between Spirit Airlines and the Association for Flight Attendants, Spirit's flight attendants receive their standard pay rate for at least 72 credited hours per month (or bid period). Credited hours refers to the hours for which an attendant will be paid on a trip, which is typically the duration of the flight. Attendants receive at least one hour of credited work for every 4.35 trip hours, which refers to the total duration of the trip, including time waiting at the airport, hotel lodging time and time helping passengers board the plane. Spirit Airlines flight attendants receive $18.04 per hour if they're within their first six months of employment, as of 2007. This jumps to $21.04 per hour after a year of service. Spirit Airlines flight attendants are also paid their hourly rate for any hours worked above 72 credited hours and up to 85 credited hours per bid period.
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Salary Increases
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A March 2011 article for NBC40.net reported the protests of Spirit Airlines flight attendants against the company for a lack of proper increases in pay, 401k contributions and healthcare benefits. As of 2007, flight attendants in their fifth year of service earn $27.72 per hour and as much as $33.99 and $36.75 per hour for 10 years and 15 years of service, respectively, according to the agreement between Spirit Airlines and the Association for Flight Attendants.
Other Pay
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Spirt Airlines fight attendants receive a wide range of additional pay based on holidays, incentives and training. Those who work on holidays such as New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas can potentially earn an additional $50 on top of their standard pay. Additionally, flight attendants who work more than 85 credited hours in a month are paid 1.5 times their hourly rate if they haven't used sick time to accrue those hours. Flight attendants who are required to attend training or meetings may earn four credited hours on top of their guaranteed 72 credited hours per month.
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References
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