You’re probably here because you saw a job posting or caught a glimpse of those sharp Delta-themed uniforms and wondered if flying for a regional carrier is actually worth the hustle. Honestly, the world of an Endeavor Air flight attendant is a weird, fast-paced mix of high-stress safety drills and the kind of "pinch-me" sunsets you only see from 30,000 feet. It’s not exactly the glamorous life of international layovers in Paris that people imagine when they think of Delta Air Lines, but because Endeavor is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Delta, the lines get blurry.
Let's get one thing straight: you aren't just "regional." You are the backbone of the Delta Connection brand.
If you’re looking for a fluff piece about how every day is a dream, look elsewhere. This is about the reality of the 5:00 AM show times, the madness of the CRJ-900 galley, and why some people quit in two weeks while others stay for twenty years.
The Training Gauntlet at MSP
Most people think flight attendant training is just about learning how to pour tomato juice without splashing a passenger’s khakis. It isn't. Not even close. If you get the CJO (Conditional Job Offer), you’re headed to Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) for several weeks of what basically feels like a polite version of boot camp.
Endeavor Air takes their training seriously because they have to meet Delta’s exacting standards. You’ll spend your days in simulators learning how to evacuate a cabin in under 90 seconds, how to fight lithium battery fires, and what to do if a passenger has a cardiac arrest over rural Ohio. It’s intense. People fail. You have to maintain a high testing average—usually around 90%—or you’re sent home on a "bus of shame."
It’s stressful. You’ll be tired. You'll spend your nights in a hotel room memorizing airport codes and the exact location of every Halon fire extinguisher on a Bombardier CRJ-700. But once you earn those wings? The feeling is electric.
What the Pay Actually Looks Like
Let's talk money because nobody works for free. An Endeavor Air flight attendant starts at a higher hourly rate than many other regionals, but there’s a catch that catches newbies off guard: you only get paid when the "main cabin door is closed."
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- Hourly Rate: Usually starts in the ballpark of $28 to $30 per flight hour, depending on the current contract.
- Per Diem: This is the small hourly amount (usually around $2.00+) you get for every hour you’re away from your home base. It’s meant for food, but if you pack your own meals, it becomes a nice tax-free bonus.
- Guaranteed Hours: You’re usually guaranteed a minimum of 75 hours a month.
If you do the math, the first year is lean. Really lean. You’re likely living in a "crash pad" with six other flight attendants in New York or Detroit because rent is high and your paycheck hasn't caught up yet. However, Endeavor often offers sign-on bonuses or retention bonuses that can total several thousand dollars, which helps bridge the gap.
The "Regional" Reality vs. Mainline
There’s a bit of a hierarchy in the sky. As an Endeavor Air flight attendant, you’re flying smaller planes—mostly the CRJ-700 and CRJ-900. These aren't the giant wide-body jets that cross the Atlantic. You’re doing "legs." Lots of them.
On a mainline Delta flight, you might do one or two long flights a day. At Endeavor? You might do four or five "turns." You’re up, you’re down, you’re cleaning the cabin, you’re boarding again. It is physically exhausting.
The upside? You get the same travel privileges as Delta mainline employees. That is the "Golden Ticket." You can fly standby on Delta's global network for next to nothing. Want to go to Tokyo on your days off? If there’s an open seat, it’s yours. This benefit alone is why many people stick with Endeavor despite the smaller planes and the frequent stops in places like Des Moines or Rochester.
Life on Reserve: The Phone Anxiety
When you start, you won't have a set schedule. You'll be on "Reserve."
This is the part of the job that breaks people. You’re essentially on call. When the crew scheduling department rings your phone at 4:00 AM because someone in New York called out sick, you have a very limited window—often two hours—to get your uniform on and get to the airport.
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You live by your phone. You can't go to a movie, you can't go to the gym without your gear in the car, and you certainly can't have a glass of wine.
- Short Call: You have to be at the airport fast.
- Long Call: You usually have a 12-hour heads-up.
- Ready Reserve: You’re sitting at the airport in uniform, literally waiting for a "fire" to put out.
It’s a rite of passage. Eventually, as you gain seniority, you "hold a line," which means you get a set schedule and can finally plan your life again.
The Community and the Crew
There is something special about regional crews. Because the planes are smaller, the crews are smaller. Often, it’s just you and one other flight attendant in the back. You become incredibly close. You’re navigating mechanical delays, grumpy passengers, and "shaker" turbulence together.
I’ve heard stories of crews who have become lifelong friends, spent holidays together in random airport hotels, and supported each other through the grueling first year. There’s a grit to Endeavor crews. They know they work hard, and there’s a shared pride in maintaining the Delta standard in a regional environment.
Why New York Bases are a Different Beast
Endeavor has bases in places like Minneapolis (MSP), Detroit (DTW), and New York (LGA and JFK). If you get based in New York, buckle up.
The New York airspace is a chaotic mess of delays and weather issues. You’ll spend a lot of time sitting on the tarmac waiting for a takeoff slot. But, seniority moves faster in New York because people often transfer out as soon as they can. If you want to move up the ranks quickly, NYC is the place to do it. Just be prepared for the cost of living to eat your paycheck if you aren't careful.
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Is Endeavor a Career or a Stepping Stone?
This is the big question. For many, being an Endeavor Air flight attendant is a bridge to Delta mainline. Endeavor has a well-known "Defined Pathway" or "Propel" program that helps employees move toward mainline roles, though it's most famous for pilots. For flight attendants, the experience at Endeavor is viewed very highly by Delta recruiters.
However, some people realize they prefer the regional life. You see the same faces. You know the gates. You’re home more often than the crews flying to Sydney or Dubai.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring FAs
If you’re serious about applying, don't just wing it.
- Fix Your Resume: Focus on "Safety" and "Customer Service." If you’ve worked in a high-volume restaurant or a medical setting, highlight that. Flight attendants are first responders first, waiters second.
- The Video Interview: This is where most people fail. Dress like you’re already on the job. Full suit, hair neat, professional background. Smile until your face hurts. Endeavor wants to see that you can stay poised under pressure.
- Study the Brand: Know that Endeavor is Delta’s connection. Understand their values. They aren't looking for someone who just wants to travel; they’re looking for someone who wants to represent the brand.
- Prepare for the Lifestyle: Before you head to training, save at least $2,000–$3,000. You’ll need it for the weeks you aren't getting a full paycheck during training and for your first month of rent in a new base.
- Check the Height Requirement: It sounds silly, but regional planes have low ceilings. You have to be able to reach the overhead bins but also fit comfortably in the cabin. Generally, this means being between 4'11" and 5'11", though requirements can vary slightly.
Being a flight attendant isn't a job; it’s a lifestyle change. You will miss birthdays. You will be tired. But you’ll also see the world from a perspective very few people ever get to experience. If you can handle the "Reserve" life and the fast pace of regional flying, Endeavor is one of the best places to start your journey in the sky.
The first step is simply hitting "apply" and seeing if you have the nerves for the Minneapolis simulators. Just remember to bring comfortable shoes—your feet will thank you later.