Flight Attendant |
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Who Are Flight Attendants? Flight attendants work as part of a team to assist flight passengers with their needs and make sure Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations are carefully adhered to. No two flights are the same; flight attendants encounter a variety of new challenges with each flight, and they must be able to calmly handle potentially stressful situations such as unusual weather or ill passengers. Flight attendant careers provide challenging and exciting opportunities for ambitious, spontaneous individuals who enjoy working with people, have an interest in travel, and are ready to escape the monotony of boring desk jobs! What Do Flight Attendants Do? Flight attendants have a variety of responsibilities to ensure that passengers are safe and comfortable during the flight. Basic responsibilities include greeting passengers as they board the aircraft, instructing them on emergency equipment and seatbelt use, providing beverages and/or meals, and making sure the cabin is prepared for take-offs and landings. Sounds easy? Not necessarily! Attendants must make passenger safety their first priority and this may require taking charge in challenging situations such as turbulence, emergency landings, passenger illness, or, in extreme cases, hijacking or terrorist activities. In other words, flight attendants must learn to expect the unexpected! Despite the challenges, however, flight attendants enjoy the opportunities they may have to meet interesting people and visit exciting places. Who could resist the opportunity to visit Hawaii at the expense of the airline? Flight Attendant Training and Qualifications As flight attendants work in a variety of environments and circumstances, they must well-trained. Newly hired attendants receive formal training at the airline’s training center. This formal training may last three to eight weeks and includes instruction in standard flight duties, emergency procedures, FAA regulations, and some medical procedures such as administering first aid. The training period is intense; new hires must perform drills and pass tests to continue training- if they fail to perform satisfactorily, they may be eliminated before training is over. Airlines prefer to hire applicants with college degrees, although it isn’t required. Applicants who have degrees/experience in nursing, public relations, travel and tourism, hospitality, communications, and other people-oriented fields may have an advantage over those who don’t. In addition, applicants who desire to be international flight attendants will be given preference if they speak two major foreign languages. Most airlines also have strict physical/fitness guidelines. They seek applicants who are in excellent health, are tall enough to reach the overhead bins, and maintain a proper weight to be able to walk down the narrow aisles. Applicants must also have good vision and be able to speak loudly and clearly. Flight Attendant Licensure Upon the completion of the formal training, flight attendants receive a Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the FAA. This certificate is the golden ticket to begin the career as all flight attendants are required to be certified. After an attendant is certified, he/she will be periodically re-trained and must pass the FAA safety examination. Flight Attendant Job Prospects Flight attendant jobs are attractive to many because of the opportunity to travel and the variety they offer. This being the case, it is a competitive job market as there are more applicants than available positions. In addition, the airline industry depends heavily on the status of the economy; when air travel is low, airline jobs are tighter and less stable. Regardless of high competition and economic downturns, flight attendant jobs are expected to grow during the next decade. Applicants with a college degree and experience with people who meet airline qualifications will have an advantage. Flight Attendant Salaries Flight Attendant salaries vary by airline carrier and range typically range from $33,320 to $77,410. One of the most attractive benefits a flight attendant receives is free or discounted travel for himself/herself and immediate family. Other benefits may include health and dental insurance, retirement plans, tuition reimbursement, and paid sick and vacation. In addition, some airlines offer higher pay for night, weekend, or holiday travel, and international flights. Flight attendants that are calm and composed and enjoy travel and the variety of new adventures will find flight attending a rewarding career. |