You’re 30,000 feet over the Midwest, the coffee is brewing, and you’re navigating a narrow aisle on a Bombardier CRJ-550. This isn't the glamorous life of international wide-body jets or layovers in Paris. It's the daily reality for GoJet Airlines flight attendants, a specific breed of aviation professional who keeps the regional gears of United Express turning. People often confuse regional airlines with the "mainline" giants they serve, but the culture, the paycheck, and the lifestyle are worlds apart.
GoJet Airlines operates exclusively for United Airlines. They aren't just a random contractor; they are a critical piece of the hub-and-spoke model. While passengers see the United logo on the tail, the crew members are GoJet employees. It’s a distinction that matters immensely when you’re looking at seniority, union contracts, and where you actually sleep at night.
What it’s Actually Like on a GoJet Crew
The CRJ-550 is a weirdly comfortable plane. It’s basically a CRJ-700 airframe but with only 50 seats. For GoJet Airlines flight attendants, this means a lot more space for passengers and, thankfully, more storage for bags. Most regional jets are a nightmare for carry-ons. This one? Not so much. But that doesn't make the job easy. You’re often the solo cabin crew member on a flight, or working in a very tight-knit pair.
There is no "back of the plane" to hide in. You are the face of the brand. If the Wi-Fi doesn't work or the flight is delayed on the tarmac at O’Hare, you’re the one who hears about it. Honestly, it’s a grind. You might fly six legs in a single day. Think about that. Six takeoffs, six landings, and six rounds of safety demos. Your feet will hurt. Your voice might get a bit raspy. But the camaraderie is different than at a massive carrier like Delta or American. At GoJet, you actually know the people in the crew room. It’s smaller. It’s scrappy.
The Training Pipeline at St. Louis
Training usually happens in St. Louis, Missouri. It’s intense. It’s not just about pouring ginger ale; it’s about evacuations, medical emergencies, and fire suppression. If you can't open that heavy exit door in under 15 seconds during a drill, you’re out. They don't sugarcoat it. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements are identical for a regional flight attendant as they are for someone flying a Boeing 777 to Tokyo.
Safety is the only thing that actually matters in those four to five weeks of training. You’ll learn the "Commands." You’ll shout them until you’re hoarse. "REMAIN SEATED! BRACE! BRACE!" It feels slightly ridiculous in a quiet classroom, but when an engine smokes out—which is rare but possible—that muscle memory is what saves lives.
The Pay Gap and the Per Diem Struggle
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: the money. Regional pilots and GoJet Airlines flight attendants generally make less than their mainline counterparts. It’s just the industry standard, though it’s starting to shift as the labor market gets tighter.
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Starting pay is hourly. But here’s the kicker: you only get paid when the "main cabin door is closed." All that time spent boarding passengers, helping with heavy bags, and waiting for a late gate agent? You’re basically earning per diem, which is a small hourly rate (usually a couple of bucks) to cover food. It’s a systemic issue in aviation that causes a lot of friction.
- Year 1 Pay: Often ranges between $18,000 and $28,000 depending on hours flown.
- Benefits: You do get those sweet travel privileges. Standing by for a flight to Hawaii is free, but you’re at the bottom of the priority list.
- The "Reserve" Life: New hires are put on reserve. This means you sit by your phone in a "crash pad" or your apartment, waiting for the crew scheduling department to call you. You might have two hours to get to the airport. It’s stressful. You can't plan a dinner date. You can't go to the gym without your uniform in the car.
Bases and Commuting
GoJet currently has bases in places like Newark (EWR), Chicago (ORD), and Washington D.C. (IAD). If you live in St. Louis but are based in Newark, you are a "commuter." This is the hardest part of the job. You have to fly—for free, but without a guaranteed seat—to get to your job. If the flights are full, you miss your "trip," and that’s a big problem for your employment record.
Most people eventually move to their base. It’s just easier. Living in Newark isn't cheap, though. You’ll likely share an apartment with five other flight attendants. These are called crash pads. They’re basically dorms for adults. Sometimes there are "hot beds" where you don't even have your own dedicated bed; you just take whichever one is empty. It sounds bleak, but it’s a rite of passage.
The CRJ-550 Advantage
Most regional airlines fly cramped planes. GoJet's pivot to the CRJ-550 changed the game for the GoJet Airlines flight attendants who work them. Because it's a premium-heavy configuration, the passengers are often United’s frequent flyers. These people know the drill. They don't need to be told how to buckle a seatbelt. They want their sparkling water and their silence.
Working a premium cabin means more service, sure, but it also means fewer "problem" passengers who are flying for the first time and terrified of the turbulence. The 550 also has a walk-up snack bar in First Class. It’s a unique feature. As a flight attendant, your job is to keep it stocked. It’s a bit more "hospitality" and a bit less "crowd control."
Is the Union Doing Anything?
GoJet flight attendants are represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. This is important. Without a union, regional crews would likely be worked even harder for less. The Teamsters negotiate the contracts that dictate rest periods, hotel quality during layovers, and pay scales.
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If you’re looking into this career, you need to read the current contract. Don't just listen to the recruiters. The recruiters will tell you about the "view from the office." The union stewards will tell you about the time a crew was stuck in a moldy hotel in a blizzard because the company wouldn't spring for a Marriott. Nuance matters.
The Reality of Career Progression
Nobody stays at a regional airline for 40 years by choice. Well, almost nobody. GoJet is often a stepping stone. You put in your two or three years, get your experience, and then you apply to United, Delta, or Southwest.
The "Mainline" carriers love regional experience. They know you’ve dealt with the worst of the weather in the Northeast. They know you’ve handled a solo cabin. They know you’re "vetted."
- Pros: Fast movement into the industry, tight-knit crews, flying the best regional jet in the sky (the CRJ-550).
- Cons: Lower starting pay, the instability of regional contracts (United could theoretically move the flying to another carrier like SkyWest or Republic), and the exhaustion of short-haul flying.
Dealing with "Passenger Entitlement"
Lately, the skies have been a bit... rowdy. GoJet Airlines flight attendants are on the front lines of this. When a flight is delayed because of a ground stop at Newark, the passengers get angry. You are the only person they can yell at.
You have to be part psychologist, part bouncer, and part server. It’s a weird mix. You have to de-escalate a guy who’s mad about his luggage while simultaneously making sure the person in 4B isn't having a heart attack. If you hate people, this is the wrong job. If you like people but have "social battery" issues, this might also be the wrong job. You are "on" the entire time you are in that polyester suit.
Actionable Steps for Aspiring Crews
If you’re seriously considering applying to be a flight attendant for GoJet, don't just wing it.
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First, go to the GoJet Airlines careers page and look at the base locations. If you aren't willing to live in Chicago, Dulles, or Newark, or spend your life commuting there, stop now. Commuting will break you if you aren't prepared for it.
Second, fix your resume to highlight "Safety" and "Customer Service" in equal measure. If you worked at Starbucks, don't just say you made lattes. Say you managed high-volume transactions in a fast-paced environment while maintaining safety protocols. That’s "airline-speak."
Third, prepare for the Video Interview (VI). Most airlines use an AI-filtered or recorded video interview before you ever see a human. Wear your blazer. Pull your hair back. Look into the camera lens, not at your own face on the screen.
Finally, understand the "Uniform Standards." Regionals are strict. Tattoos usually have to be covered. Hair has to be a "natural" color. Nails have to be a certain length. It’s old-school. If you value total self-expression through your look, the airline industry is going to feel like a cage. But if you value seeing a new city every night—even if that city is just Grand Rapids, Michigan—it’s a hell of a way to make a living.
The job of a GoJet Airlines flight attendant isn't for everyone. It's for the person who can handle a 4:00 AM alarm, a grumpy businessman, and a turbulent descent into a snowy runway, all while smiling and asking if anyone wants another Biscoff cookie. It’s hard. It’s underpaid at the start. But when you’re watching the sunrise from the jumpseat at 35,000 feet, you sort of get why people do it.
Check your passport expiration date. Make sure it has at least six months of validity. GoJet requires it for those occasional hops into Canada. Get your documents in order before you even hit "Apply." Being organized is the first test of the job.