FORT WORTH (CBSDFW.COM) – American Airlines announced in October that it was hiring 1,500 new flight attendants. Over the first eight days, the airline received 20,000 applications, prompting American to stop taking resumes.

Candidates had to pass a telephone interview before being invited this month to the airline’s world headquarters in Ft. Worth.

Yoon Eom is a 25-year-old recent college graduate and a new U.S. citizen. Her competitive advantage – she speaks English, Spanish, and her native Korean.

“They are launching a direct flight to Korea starting in May, and I said, ‘oh my gosh, this is my only chance,’” said Eom.

The new flight attendants will be paid $23,000 annually on average. The new employees will be required to work longer hours and pay higher insurance premiums than those who’ve recently retired from the airline.

But for some, like 45-year-old Laura Aranda, it’s not about the money.

“I mean you always want to get paid more,” said Aranda. “But if you love what you do, money is something that’s just back there.”

The two were hired by the airline and will begin nine weeks of training in January.

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