Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Passenger Attendant
What passenger attendants actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a passenger attendant?
Check in at the airport. From there, the day usually includes help passengers board, push wheelchairs, and answer questions. Shifts include early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a passenger attendant working full time.
- Check in at the airport.
- Push a passenger to a gate.
- Help an arriving passenger to baggage.
- Help a family with luggage.
- Break.
- More wheelchair assists.
- Log assists.
Where passenger attendants work
Attendants work in airports, on trains, buses and ships.
Hours and schedule
Shifts include early mornings, nights, weekends and holidays.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Help passengers board
- Push wheelchairs
- Answer questions
- Serve food and drinks
- Make announcements
- Assist in emergencies
- Keep areas tidy
Tools you’ll use every day
- Wheelchairs
- Radios
- Carts
- PA systems
- Tablets
- First aid kits
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Faster-than-average growth
- Help people
- Short training
- Tips at some jobs
What’s hard
- Low base pay
- On your feet
- Odd hours
- Demanding travelers
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like helping travelers
- I’m patient
- I’m friendly
- I can stand and walk all day
- I want short training
- I might become a flight attendant
Not sure? Take the free Passenger Attendant fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Lift safely
- Lock wheelchair brakes
- Follow security rules
- Know emergency exits