How to Become a Flight Attendant

The main responsibility of flight attendants is to make certain that airline safety regulations are carried out aboard an aircraft. Although their salaries are relatively low, flight attendants receive the major benefit of free fares from their own airline and reduced fares from other carriers.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Travel Clocks
• Luggage Sets
• Telephone Calling Cards

1. Search for flight attendant open house listings in the newspapers of larger cities, or check online with individual airlines for job opportunities and requirements.

2. Understand that your competition will have at least a two-year college degree and customer service experience, and that many airlines now require both.

3. Learn at least one foreign language if you plan to work for an international airline.

4. Accept that you may have to relocate to another city at the beginning of your career.

5. Be prepared to live on a reserve status for at least one year after your initial four- to six-week training period. You will need to be available as an on-call person, often on short notice. Advancement into regular assignments results from seniority, and the competition is fierce.

6. Expect to fly 75 to 85 hours a month and to also work on the ground. But realize that you will be paid for flight time only.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn to be on time for every event in your life before you begin this career. Your job will definitely depend on your arriving within 10 minutes of your assigned schedule.

• Set aside time for annual training in emergency procedures and passenger relations.

• Realize that you will work nights, weekends and holidays and often be in locations far away from your home. You'll learn to use the telephone and e-mail frequently to keep in touch with friends and family.

• If you have problems standing for long periods of time, this is not the career for you.

• Consider the possibility of medical problems brought on by irregular sleep, poor diet, stress and breathing recycled air.