Flight Attendant Prep Academy

Aviation Youth Ambition and Entrepreneurship, an interview with Lia Volpe Drobot, founder of the Flight Attendant Prep Academy and Jetline Clothing

By Jeff Jorgenson

JEFF: How did you get involved in aviation?

LIA: At age 19, I met with a flight attendant recruiter and was encouraged to interview. Frankly, my first interview bombed, which I probably shouldn’t say in the industry, but it didn’t go well. It was horrible. But, I learned from it and had a chance for a second interview with another airline, and I was better prepared and got the job!

JEFF: Wow, that’s fantastic! That was in 2003, so how did the Flight Attendant Academy come about?

LIA: Well, I was working for a regional airline until about 2006 when I got on with American West. Then, my entrepreneurial spirit guided me down several paths along the way before we get to the Flight Attendant Prep Academy, www.FAPrep.com

JEFF: What was the path that led to FA Prep?

LIA: Well, first, I began to notice as a flight attendant, that on layovers, there wasn’t much fashion for me to wear to promote my passion for aviation. As I searched online, I couldn’t find much out there. And, what was already out there was just overpriced, poor quality, cotton t-shirts that weren’t really inspiring. So I began to look more and decided that since there wasn’t anything out there, that I would creating something!

JEFF: So, you created a clothing line for flight attendants?

LIA: Well, not just flight attendants. I wanted to create a line that anyone with any career in aviation or a passion for flying, would want to wear. So in 2008, I started Jetline Clothing. You can find us on Facebook. I wanted something that was a conversation starter. Think classy, but sexy. In fact, that’s kind of my slogan, “Fly classy, look sexy!” I’ve had a lot of fun with it with things like flyGirl, Sky Goddess, Plane Princess and a shirt for pilots that says, “Marry me, Fly for Free!”

JEFF: Have you received a lot of interest in the clothing line?

LIA: Oh my, yes! We sold out at Oshkosh (AirVenture) last year and are sold at international airports in Seattle, Minneapolis, Tucson and Miami. We have even been featured on MSN and FOX News!

JEFF: That’s Amazing, Congratulations! So, how does the clothing line lead to the FA Prep Academy?

LIA: It’s interesting. A producer for the movie Baggage Claim saw my clothing and wanted to use it in the

movie. I sent them several boxes of stuff. They LOVED it! As we were talking about fashion and how it would be used properly, they learned that I was a flight attendant and started using me as a flight attendant consultant for the movie. They even flew me out to Burbank, California. When I got there and started giving pointers to get the proper procedures right for the film, they asked if I would be interested in being a flight attendant extra in the movie!

JEFF: Wow; so, you’re a movie star!? Is that how you started FA Prep Academy?

LIA: Well, I don’t know about movie star; but, yes, I was in the movie. The FA Academy sort of started about the same time as the movie, actually. As a flight attendant, there were two questions that I was asked more than anything. The first was, “Where is your favorite layover?” FYI, it’s Austin, Texas. The people and atmosphere are great. It’s just a great place. Secondly, I get the question, “How do you get started as a flight attendant?” That put the bug in my ear to start something to help people get started. So I did. Since I’m in the Industry, I know the ins and outs. I’ve established the connections with the airlines, I know what they are looking for. In 2014, I launched FA Prep Academy. Now, I have earned the reputation of providing quality education for people interested in becoming a flight attendant and the airlines know they are hiring someone with the skills they need when they come through FAPrep.com. It’s so competitive that it’s virtually unheard of to get hired off the streets for a flight attendant position anymore. You have to know someone and have the skill set.

JEFF: Now in your fourth year, how’s it going?

LIA: Thanks for asking. We actually have a 90% placement rate with our graduates because we have agreements with several airlines. We connect our people where it makes the most sense.