Training to Become a Flight Stewardess
Training to become a flight stewardess, more commonly called a flight attendant, ranges from customer service to handling emergency situations, and attendants must be trained for each type of aircraft on which they work. Generally, training takes place after the airline hires a potential flight attendant. However, there are skills flight attendants can acquire that make them better candidates for hiring. Most flight attendants begin on reserve status, being called in when another flight attendant can't make it, which unofficially extends the training period.
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Basic Requirements
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A high school diploma or GED is the minimum education requirement for flight attendants. In addition they must be tall enough to put luggage in overhead bins; pass a physical; demonstrate an ability to interact successfully with the public; and demonstrate an ability to remain calm under duress. Some airlines have age and physical appearance requirements, which take into account such issues as weight, tattoos and body piercings.
Education
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Airlines increasingly prefer hiring people with advanced education such as associate or bachelor's degrees, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They especially prefer people with educational backgrounds in areas dealing with people such as communication, psychology, travel and tourism, hospitality or education. Flight attendants for airlines that fly internationally must speak a foreign language fluently.
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Training
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Airlines offer their own training for flight attendants. The training typically ranges from three to six weeks at the airline's flight training center. If the airline doesn't have a flight training center, it sends trainees to another airline. Delta, for example, offers many classes including aircraft-specific flight attendant training; crew resource management; customer service; initial flight attendant training; international flight attendant training; emergency procedures; and security. Many of these classes are customizable for different airlines.
Licensing
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Flight attendants who complete the training are eligible to be licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration. They must demonstrate competency in evacuation, emergency procedure and security and perform assigned duties of a cabin crew member. Flight attendants are certified for a particular kind of airplane, so if they switch from one to another they must seek additional certification.
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