Written on my flight attendant certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration, it states I am “properly qualified to exercise the privileges of Flight Attendant.” It’s a small card, no larger than a drivers license, but it carries the power to travel the world for work and pleasure. Sounds difficult to achieve, right? It’s easier than you think, and the good news is the process begins exactly the same for everyone – the first step? You must apply. From there the path is different for everyone and can be a bit tricky. In this guide I will share some wisdom, a few stories, a couple of failures, and a few life-changing successes. My hope is that through reading this guide you will feel prepared and supported as you begin the process of becoming a flight attendant. Maybe you’ve never known anyone in your community, family, or tribe that is or was a flight attendant. Maybe you call home a reservation, a rancheria, small town or big city and believe to become one is a far-fetched dream. I’m writing this to guide you and make it known that the airline industry needs Native American flight attendants. Just because you don’t know any, does not mean that you can’t be the first in your family, tribe, or community. My focus as an author is not only to help Native Americans become flight attendants, but to share my story to help anyone who wants to become a flight attendant. Flight attendant training and surviving probation takes perseverance. Perhaps that’s why it’s called, “earning your wings!” Being accepted into a flight attendant training program is like being accepted to a university when compared to the high number of applications received for limited available spots. Universities require high scores in college prep courses, standardized testing, extracurricular activities, sports, along with a personal statement or essay. In comparison, the education requirements to become a flight attendant are minimal – only a high school diploma (or equivalent) is necessary. I’ve been through two flight attendant training programs, one with a regional airline and the second with a major legacy airline. I had so many questions, “When does hiring happen?”, “What will be asked in an interview?”, “How do I pack to stay in a hotel for many weeks during training?” By sharing my experiences, I want to remove the mystery preventing Native Americans from applying, interviewing, passing training and surviving probation to become a thriving flight attendant for any airline.