Flight attendants are usually responsible for the health and safety of the passengers during the flight. Among their main tasks is receiving passengers, welcoming them, helping them put their luggage in the places designated for that purpose and informing passengers about safety precautions.
They close and lock all aircraft doors before take-off and open them after landing. They also make sure that all passengers wear seat belts. During the flight, they prepare and serve meals to passengers as well as to the cockpit crew.
Through loudspeakers, flight attendants usually provide information in multiple languages to passengers regarding the flight, its destination and the expected length of the flight.
They also coordinate accident-emergency procedures on board in case of an unexpected accident. After the plane reaches its destination and at the end of each flight, bid farewell to all passengers and take over the task of cleaning the cabin.
What are the requirements of a flight attendants -job ?
Some of the most important legal requirements that flight attendants must fulfill are:
- Age is at least 18 years old.
- Successful passing of medical examination
- Physical fitness
- Visual acuity (critical values vary) +/- 5 diopters
- Successful completion of basic training
- Participating in refresher training courses on a regular basis
- A valid passport
- The aviation authority checks the backgrounds of flight attendants carefully.
Moreover, there are often other extra-requirements that flight attendants need to meet, and these requirements vary from one Airline Company to another. Among these additional requirements are the following:
- Certain physical features
- A maximum age limit
- Good to very good knowledge of spoken and written English
- More language skills would be an advantage.
- A physique that stands up to service in the tropic areas
- A good stylish looking
- Possession of a driver’s license
- Education completion certificate
- Swimming skills
And due to the international scope of their work, flight attendants must have a good knowledge of different cultures, be open-minded and have a broad horizon and a high ability to communicate with all types of people.
usually work for long hours, their work shifts are often irregular and the flights may extend sometimes for many days, that’s why a flight-attendant-job requires a great deal of flexibility and the ability to work under pressure.
And due to the tight working spaces on Airplanes, flight attendants are preferred to have a certain level of body control, agility, quick reflexes as well as speed, and correct response to a changing situation.
Flight attendants should also be service-oriented to their customers, try to fulfill their needs as much as possible during the flight and keep them calm in emergency situations.
How can you become a flight attendant?
This Job usually participate in training courses and seminars that generally take between seven to nine weeks. Training courses are usually organized and paid by airlines companies offering the jobs, provided that this entails working for the airline company.
The course content includes both theoretical and practical modules. The course concludes with an exam usually organized by the provider.
What should you expect in your career ?
Having a workplace above the clouds gives the job of a flight attendant some special characteristics. Flight attendants often work for long hours standing on their feet. Sometimes, they also have to deal with noisy planes, fatigue and low humidity onboard as well as weather fluctuations, long stays away from home and irregular working hours including weekends and holidays.
Whoever chooses the career must realize that it is a job that is largely carried out in front of passengers and that you need to maintain a consistent professional friendly mood.
Flight attendants are usually good paid. Their base salary is about 1,500 Euros per month. Moreover, there are often leave payments, special shift allowances and absence premiums.
Experienced could be promoted to the job of pursers or cabin managers. Pursers are usually responsible for the management of the cabin crew, creating lists and participating in the training of current or new flight attendants.
Read more _ How to became a Pilot
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By Chaimaa.Ch