About Being a Flight Attendant

Flight attendants have come a long way in eighty years. Flight attendants are no longer subject to weight and height requirements, the job is no longer exclusively women only, and safety and security are of greater concern than hot meals and pillows. Gone, too, is the glamour associated with the job. Today's flight attendants are expected to work long hours with short rest periods, they must deal with upset passengers and are affected by delays, diversions and cancellations in record numbers.

History

The first flight attendants took to the skies in the 1930's. They were nurses hired to tend to people feeling woozy from altitude related afflictions. In time, flight attendants became fashion icons and sex symbols known for their designer label uniforms. Today, flight attendants are highly trained in the areas of first aid, emergency response, self defense and customer care.

Function

A flight attendant's duties begin long before the passengers arrive. Before boarding, flight attendants must check in and receive paperwork detailing their pairing and crew members. They brief with the pilots and other flight attendants regarding the day ahead, perform security and emergency equipment checks and make sure the galleys are stocked with the service items they will need for the flight. Once the passengers are on board they perform emergency demonstrations, food and beverage service and assist in any other tasks that may arise. They are also responsible for assisting unaccompanied minors and passengers with disabilities.

Geography

Flight attendants' workdays can take them on day trips or two weeks journeys around the world. Seniority counts, though, so the more desirable trips go to the flight attendants who have been on the job the longest.

Considerations

Training to be a flight attendant is a multi-week process that usually takes place in a city far from where the prospective flight attendant lives. Flight attendant candidates must adhere to strict on-time performance standards, dress codes and behavioral expectations both in the classroom and outside. Training is where future flight attendants learn first aid and CPR, federal aviation regulations, the anatomy of the aircraft they will work on, firefighting, self-defense and other security measures.

Misconceptions

Flight attendants are no longer called stewardesses or hostesses. And they are not merely waitresses in the sky. In fact, cabin service is hardly even touched upon in training. Their sole purpose is to evacuate a full aircraft in 90 seconds or less and attend to medical emergencies. Snack and beverage services are secondary to their emergency responsibilities.

Who Can HelpSponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.