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
20 www.avinationusa.com
