(Their pilots average ~$167,000 a year. The mechanics make ~$70,500. Reviews say the health insurance is pretty good, there is a modest 401(k) match, and of course you get to fly free on standby).
Please bring only meaningful in-depth critiques to HN, and leave the fact-free axe-grinding elsewhere.
I wouldn't make a direct comparison of that with other jobs. There are many work hours they aren't paid for, or are paid at a lower rate.
Oversimplified, but they are paid nothing or almost nothing for waiting around for late flights, security, etc. Full pay for "block hours" where the plane has pushed back, less for pre/post flight work. And lower seniority f/a folks can have a harder time getting hours at all, and they are well below average pay. Seniority is everything.
It's not a bad job considering the fairly low qualifications, but it's not really $30/hour. New flight attendants generally end the year around $20k gross. And that's at the majors.
Every time you step on to an "American" plane that is "operated by xyz", you are not flying American Airlines. You are flying an American Eagle branded subcarrier like Republic or SkyWest. These subcarriers fly a very large percentage of "American" flights.
The pay and benefits at the subcarriers are dismal.
The regional airlines, on the other hand — the ones running those little connector flights with CRJs and the like, branded "American Eagle" or "Delta Connection", with a four-digit codeshare and inferior snacks and entertainment — those are a lot less picky, and their pay is a lot more questionable.
On the other hand, they do have collective leverage, as airlines can't quickly replace them.