I changed careers at 55 to become a flight attendant. I didn't expect my age to be such an advantage.

Recently qualified flight attendant Craig Celek's favorite layover is Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Courtesy of Craig Celek Craig Celek left a retail position to become a flight attendant this year, in his mid-50s. He said he brought life experience and a strong work ethic to the role because of his age. The Gen-Xer described the job change as the "third act" in his career. 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.