Photos Show Flight Attendant's Crash Pad Where Airline Workers Sleep

At the beginning of 2020, Cierra traded her job as a dolphin trainer for a role as a flight attendant.

"People make this job out to seem like it's the most glamorous job ever," Cierra, 27, told Insider, of being a flight attendant. "It's not all glamorous." Cierra would not disclose her last name for privacy reasons, but Insider has verified her employment.

One of the less-glamorous sides is her living situation. Cierra's home is in Florida, but since her job is based in New York City, she told Insider she often finds herself needing a place to stay there when she's scheduled for an early flight.

So, Cierra said she pays rent to The Hotel Crash Pad Network — a company that arranges accommodation for airline staff — to stay in a crash pad, essentially a hostel for flight attendants and pilots. According to Cierra, her pad is a cross between a frat house and the home from "Big Brother."

A crash pad's appeal is its cost, Cierra said. While the price depends on the location and how frequently a flight attendant or pilot plans to stay, she said it's typically much cheaper than nearby hotels and Airbnbs.

For $350 a month, Cierra said she spends about 11 nights in her New York City crash pad. Most cities with major airports have crash pads, which can be located in homes, hotels (like Cierra's), and apartment complexes.

For Cierra's crash pad, The Hotel Crash Pad Network turned two hotel rooms into a singular accommodation. The resemblance of a hotel room is hard to miss when you step inside.

Source: The Hotel Crash Pad Network

As in most hotel rooms, the bathroom is conveniently stocked with miniature bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and soap.

But when you get to the bedroom area, it's clear why Cierra's rent is so low. Instead of a king-sized bed, there's a set of bunk beds and three twin-sized mattresses.

There's also an adjoining room with a similar setup. Together, 10 people can share the two rooms and two bathrooms, Cierra said.

While the main allure is the price, Cierra added that there's a handful of other benefits that come with living in her crash pad.

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