A Flight Attendant’s Heartfelt Note Encourages Hopeful Crew Member After Rejection

An aspiring flight attendant who, after facing disappointment over a rejection from American Airlines, found herself on a flight with a crew member who saw her sadness and turned it into encouragement.

In a post shared on Reddit’s flight attendant community, the user described feeling "really disappointed" about not landing the job. A flight attendant on board noticed her mood, gave her a hug, and made her pinky-promise not to give up. But the moment didn’t stop there—the American Airlines crew member also wrote her a heartfelt note on an airline-branded card, reminding her that a setback is not the end of the journey.

To top it off, the flight attendant gifted her an American Airlines flight crew pin—a symbol of what could one day be hers if she keeps going.

A Community of Encouragement

The post quickly gained traction in the online flight attendant community, with many industry veterans chiming in with their own stories of perseverance.

One commenter shared, “I got passed over by Alaska and then got hired by Delta not long after! Don’t give up! Come back stronger.” Another recalled an ex-colleague who interviewed 27 times before finally securing a role with a top airline.

Many flight attendants in the discussion agreed that rejection is common in the industry and that persistence often leads to success.

One user wrote: “Please don’t give up! I applied at Delta ten times. It was a seven-year process for me until I finally got my CJO (Conditional Job Offer).”

What This Means for Future Flight Attendants

For aspiring crew members, stories like this serve as a reminder that rejection doesn’t mean the end of the road. Airlines have competitive hiring processes, and many flight attendants experience multiple rejections before securing a role.

The aviation industry looks for candidates who are resilient, adaptable, and passionate about customer service—qualities that rejection can help refine.

To all future flight attendants: don’t let a single “no” define your journey. Keep learning, keep applying, and keep believing in yourself.

The Aviation World is Big, But It’s a Family

While the airline industry is vast, it’s also a tight-knit, welcoming community. From seasoned flight attendants to first-time applicants, support and encouragement make all the difference. Moments like this—where a crew member takes the time to lift up someone else—are what make this profession special.

As airline professionals, we should always strive to uplift those who dream of joining our ranks. A kind word, a reassuring note, or even just recognizing someone's struggle can have a lasting impact. After all, we were all in their shoes once, hoping for that first “congratulations” email.

To the flight attendant who took the time to inspire a hopeful future crew member: this is exactly the kind of encouragement that keeps our aviation family strong.

Did you face rejection when trying for your first job in the airline industry?