THAT’S MY JOB: Flight attendant and Marble Falls educator Jennifer Virdell

Jennifer Virdell has mastered the art of juggling. A lifelong learner and natural multitasker, the Marble Falls resident fulfills her dream of flying the skies as a Southwest Airlines flight attendant while maintaining her career as an educational diagnostician for the Marble Falls school district. She is also the mother of two school-age girls and the wife of Marble Falls school board member Kevin Virdell.

Jennifer grew up in Marble Falls with big dreams of seeing the world. As a teenager, she admired the flight attendants she encountered while traveling to visit family. Their ability to connect with passengers and make every flight memorable inspired her. 

“When I would go see my aunt in New York, I would see how they interact with people and think, ‘That is such a cool job,’” she said. “You have an opportunity to experience people, make a good impression, and then you don’t ever see each other again after the flight. It’s such a unique experience.”

However, life took her on a different path. She earned a degree in communications, started a family, and embarked on a career in education. Years later, as she approached her 40th birthday, Virdell decided it was time to revisit her dream.

“I wanted to do something unexpected—something I’d always wanted to do—even if it meant making some sacrifices,” she said. 

When Southwest Airlines opened its application window two years ago, she leapt at the chance and got the job. After a rigorous four-week training program, Virdell earned her wings and took to the skies, finding new ways to engage with people from all walks of life.

“It was probably one of the most intense things I’ve ever done,” she said. “But I love the connections I get to make and the unique experiences this job brings.”

Jennifer Virdell

Flight attendant

Here’s what Virdell had to say about her dual roles:

THE BEST PART OF BEING A FLIGHT ATTENDANT is the chance to meet so many different people and hear their stories. Whether it’s a family going on vacation or someone traveling for work, everyone has a story and a unique perspective, and I enjoy connecting with them.

TRAINING TO BE A FLIGHT ATTENDANT WAS INTENSE. It was four weeks of 12-hour days, and then you’d go back to the hotel, sleep for a couple of hours, and study for a couple more before doing it all over again. It was probably one of the most intense things I’ve done, but it prepared me for anything.

ONE OF MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS was with a woman who had late-stage cancer. She was on her way to a cruise, fulfilling her final wish. Passengers on the flight wrote her notes of encouragement on napkins, and we gave them to her family to read during their trip. It was such a beautiful, emotional moment that reminded me why I do this job.

MY EDUCATION BACKGROUND MAKES A DIFFERENCE on flights, especially with children who might have disabilities like autism. I’m able to help them feel more comfortable, and it’s a skill set my colleagues sometimes don’t have. 

BALANCING TWO CAREERS HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE but also very rewarding. My role as an educational diagnostician allows me to help children get the support they need, while being a flight attendant gives me the opportunity to travel and fulfill a personal dream.

WHEN PASSENGERS WORRY ABOUT TURBULENCE, I tell them to think of it like being in Jello: You’re not falling; you’re just suspended within Jello, moving side to side. It helps put their minds at ease.

FLIGHT BENEFITS HAVE OPENED UP THE WORLD FOR ME. Last summer, my daughter and I decided to fly standby to Hawaii on a whim. It was such an adventure navigating the flights, and seeing places through her eyes was the best part.

SOUTHWEST AIRLINES MAKES IT EASY TO BALANCE MY LIFE. I typically fly two weekends a month, which gives me time to focus on my role with the school district during the week. Not every airline is like that. I feel really lucky to have that flexibility.

elizabeth@thepicayune.com