{
  "id": 17816886,
  "title": "I turned 60 and realized I wasn't ready to retire. I became a flight attendant and started my third career.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/i-turned-60-and-realized-i-wasnt-ready-to-retire-i-became-a-flight",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-02T15:52:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/became-flight-attendant-at-61-third-career-no-retirement-2026-11"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Richard Woulfe, a 63-year-old flight attendant, recently reflected on his decision to return to work as a flight attendant after turning 60. Woulfe explained that while he had previously worked in the travel industry, he felt restless after his 60th birthday and was eager to take on a new challenge.\n\nWoulfe's previous careers included working in event management, organizing employee reward trips for large corporations, and later selling scuba diving trips. However, the pandemic forced him to return to Chicago and take a break from his career. After his mother passed away, Woulfe felt restless and decided to pursue a third career as a flight attendant.\n\nHe applied to various airlines and received a face-to-face interview within 72 hours. Despite the overwhelming age differences among the candidates, Woulfe was confident that Gen X workers, with their maturity, flexibility, and willingness to acquire new skills, would thrive in the flight attendant role. He emphasized the importance of listening to passengers and making them feel heard, a skill he believes is essential for success in the role.\n\nWoulfe now enjoys the excitement of exploring new locations and the opportunity to learn about different cultures. He encourages anyone considering a career change to take a risk if something is calling them to do so.",
  "summary": "Richard Woulfe enjoyed two different careers in travel. At 61, he made it three by becoming a flight attendant. He said being Generation X helped.",
  "key_points": [
    "63-year-old Richard Woulfe returns to flight attendant career",
    "Previous careers in event management and scuba diving trips",
    "Confident Gen X workers excel in flight attendant role"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}