The Nanny Who Says ‘No’ to Private Jets: Why One Professional Is Drawing a Hard Line on Travel Safety

Setting Boundaries in High-Net-Worth Households

For many, the life of a professional nanny working for ultra-high-net-worth families is often associated with luxury travel, from extended stays in Europe to quick trips to the Bahamas. However, for 30-year-old Samantha Jordan, a professional nanny, newborn care specialist, and postpartum doula with 12 years of experience, the job comes with a strict set of non-negotiable safety standards. Chief among them is a refusal to fly on private planes.

Jordan, who divides her time between Las Vegas and Upland, California, makes her stance clear during the initial interview process. By being transparent from the start, she aims to avoid wasting time with families who require private aviation as a standard mode of transport. While some families are willing to make exceptions—allowing her to fly commercial while they travel privately—others are not, leading Jordan to turn down potential job offers, including one instance where a family required regular helicopter travel.

The Root of the Concern

Jordan’s hesitation regarding private aviation is rooted in a mix of personal experience and a cautious approach to risk management. She recalls a story shared by her husband about a private flight he took as a college athlete that experienced a sudden, unsettling drop. While she acknowledges that she does not know the specific details of that aircraft or the cause of the incident, the story left a lasting impression. Combined with her general discomfort with flying, she prefers the oversight and familiarity of commercial airlines.

“I’m not particularly interested in taking on additional risks simply because they’re statistically unlikely to materialize,” Jordan explains. Her perspective is shaped by the immense responsibility she carries when caring for other people’s children. For her, the potential rarity of a crash does not eliminate the risk, and she feels more comfortable utilizing commercial options that can accommodate her professional needs.

Advocating for Nanny Safety

Jordan’s advocacy extends beyond aviation. She maintains strict boundaries regarding transportation and water safety, noting that she refuses to get into vehicles with unknown chauffeurs and avoids taking infants into the ocean if she cannot clearly see the bottom. She believes that nannies often face pressure to prioritize their employers’ needs over their own safety, a dynamic she attributes to the intimate, often blurred lines of the employer-nanny relationship.

Following a recent jet crash in Florida, Jordan shared her views on TikTok, where she found that many of her peers had not previously considered these specific safety concerns. Her content has prompted other nannies to reconsider their own contract terms. As a mentor to other caregivers, Jordan emphasizes the importance of clear communication. “You become friendly and like family, but you still have to speak up for yourself and remind them, ‘Hey, I’m actually your employee,’” she notes.

A Call for Mutual Respect

Jordan argues that families should take their nannies’ boundaries seriously, suggesting that if a family has the resources to accommodate a nanny’s safety requests, they should do so. She encourages employers to have open, honest conversations about travel expectations, including the type of aircraft used, the operator’s safety standards, and the nanny’s comfort level with solo commercial travel.

Ultimately, Jordan’s message is one of mutual respect. She reminds both nannies and employers that the role of a professional caregiver involves significant dedication and responsibility. By establishing clear, written agreements and fostering honest communication, she believes both parties can better navigate the complexities of working in high-pressure, high-net-worth environments.

Source: businessinsider.com