I was a long-haul flight attendant for almost a decade. Here are 10 things people get wrong about the job.

I was a flight attendant for nearly 10 years. Here's what goes on behind the scenes. Courtesy of Alona Vasylieva I was a flight attendant for nearly 10 years, and there's a lot that goes on behind the scenes. I often shared a hotel room on overnights, my pay fluctuated, and I faced strict beauty rules. I could fly for free, but only if a seat was open, as well as access discount crew-only shops. I spent nearly 10 years as a flight attendant for the now-grounded Ukraine International Airlines, flying up to 12 hours to destinations across Europe, Asia, and North America. The job gave me a firsthand look at nearly everything that goes on behind the scenes in commercial air travel. Passengers often see the glamorous side of the job — sightseeing during overnights and traveling for free anytime I want.