Japanese Airline Hostesses Get Pinched

It used to be that being an Airline Hostess meant something. I had a student who’s one an only purpose in life was to become a stewardess for Japan’s All Nippon Airways.

She studied hard…passed the tests and began to fly, enjoy the jet life, and the many perks that went with it.

There were pinches as well.

In 1994, Japan’s airlines stopped employing full-time hostesses and went to contracted cabin attendants.

The girls make 700 yen an hour, less than the weirdo at the 7-11 or Lawson convenience stores.

Four days on and two days off are the rotation and each work day requires two return flights.

Totally exhausted…back pain…ear infections…chronic fatigue…two days in bed recovering…and then doing it again.

International routes require 10-hour shifts and a single day turnaroun.

The girls no longer get taxi fare to the airport and must fight it out on public transportation.

Despite some 400 cabin attendants quitting annually at ANA and JAL, there are still plenty of young ladies who thing the jet life is the way to go…until they get pinched, in more places than their pocketbooks.

Being an airline hostess/host is not what it used to be?

why do you think it changed?