Greeting passengers as they board the plane, and thanking them as they exit. Helping passengers get seating and stow their luggage in the overhead bins. Giving a presentation of the airline’s safety procedures. Facilitating beverage and food services. Answering passengers’ questions, and calming passengers who are anxious or upset. Guiding passengers to safety in the event of an emergency, and administering first aid if necessary.
They’re fiercely independent. Flight attendants are able to navigate new places alone, and they enjoy being on their own, even if it means being away from their families during long trips. They live in the moment. Many flight attendants explore the nightlife in the cities they visit, or take advantage of the attractions each city has to offer. They enjoy having new experiences and finding something great about every city. They’re generous with time and space. Flight attendants don’t get a lot of personal space. They share their quarters with other flight attendants on longer trips. While flying, they have to put the customer first, even if they may be just as exhausted from being in the air for ten or more hours. Flight attendants have a cheerful attitude and uplift others under uncomfortable circumstances.
The height range for most airlines is between 5’0” - 5’ 1” and 5’8” - 6’3”. Some airlines do not have height requirements, but instead require that you be able to reach a certain height. The minimum age requirement ranges between 18-21 years old depending on the airline. There is no maximum age as long as you pass all medical requirements There is no numerical weight requirement, but many airlines do a visual assessment, looking at weight in proportion to height. In the 1960s, flight attendants were required to be females of a certain weight, and to retire before they reached a certain age. Some airlines continued these discriminatory practices through the 1980s and 1990s. Now men can be flight attendants, there is no numerical weight requirement, and people may continue working as flight attendants until they’re ready to retire.
Some companies offer “flight training programs,” but this is not a requirement before applying to airlines. You’ll receive training if you’re hired as a flight attendant.
Some cities host flight attendant “open houses” to give potential flight attendants the chance to learn more about the career and meet employers. Do an online search to find out if there’s an open house coming up near you.
It may be a matter of days or as long as several weeks before you receive a telephone call or an email from the airlines to whom you have submitted an application. Most major airlines have only one city in the United States where they conduct interviews, so you may have to travel to your interviews. Know what makes each airline unique, and be prepared to discuss the qualities that make you right for this particular airline during your interview.
In the first part, your customer service skills will be tested with a written examination. If you pass, the second part of the interview will test whether you have good leadership skills. You’ll be asked how you would handle different scenarios that could occur while working a shift in the air. For example, what would you do in an emergency if the aircraft started to descend? Or how would you handle a drunk passenger? Use anecdotes to illustrate times when you handled a situation that required acting as a leader while others were anxious and stressed.
The four- to six-week training period is described by many as being difficult, but rewarding. Learn from your mistakes and always maintain a positive demeanor. Remember that every flight attendant started out as a rookie. You have a lot to learn, and a lot to look forward to. It’s essential that you pass the training period in order to move into full-time status as a flight attendant. If you do not pass, your contract will be revoked. You may reapply after six months to a year, depending on the airline policy.
