This story is based on an interview with Craig Celek, 56, a flight attendant from Brooklyn. It has been edited for length and clarity.
In February 2026, I embarked on what I call “act three” of my career.
Right out of college, I worked for a publishing company in Hong Kong for 15 years before becoming a store manager at New Balance, and then taking a leadership role at Saks Off 5th.
My 15 years in retail were amazing, but I started to get itchy feet. I started looking for my next opportunity, and a job on an airline was attractive to me.
Friends my age are flight attendants
I have a lot of friends my in their late 40s and 50s who have turned…
