How to Be a Certified Flight Attendant

Federal law mandates airlines to have flight attendants.

Flight attendants do more than make flights an enjoyable experience; they're also responsible for the security of the passengers. That's why the law mandates major airlines to provide attendants. Before a flight takes off, attendants have to brief passengers on emergency features inside the plane, how to fasten the seat belt and how to sit when taking off or landing.

Instructions

1. Complete high school first before you can start looking for a job at an airline. A high school diploma or its equivalent is the minimum qualification, but increasingly, airlines prefer candidates with a college degree, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

2. Attend a school offering flight attendant training, if possible. You have an advantage when looking for a job with flight attendant qualifications with a concentration in areas including psychology, nursing, communication, tourism and hospitality.

3. Apply for a job with an airline. When hired you will undergo three to six weeks of training, depending on the airline. Training programs are approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA). Training involves learning emergency procedures ,including how to operate an emergency system, first aid and evacuating the airplane in an emergency. You also learn how to handle disorderly passengers and hijackers. Trainee attendants on international flights are also taught how to handle passports and customs regulations.

4. Complete your course successfully to receive the FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency. When you start working full time as an attendant, you will be required to attend period retraining and pass an FAA safety examination to stay on the job.

5. Receive your certification after completing a proficiency check. You must demonstrate your newly acquired knowledge of how to evacuate an airplane in an emergency, firefighting, medical emergency and security procedures established by the TSA and the FAA.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Flight Attendant

Resources

• Cabin Crew Jobs: Minimum Qualifications to Become a Flight Attendant