The Essential Guide to Becoming a Flight Attendant

by Kiki Ward

  Another aspect of your appearance is your demeanor. Your group of instructors are going to be with you almost constantly, evaluating your personality and your interaction with your classmates.

  Classes

  Class times will vary from very early morning classes to classes conducted in the middle of the night, to fully prepare you for all sorts of flying hours. Being on time is always expected. Excessive tardiness is usually cause for elimination. You simply cannot be late when you are expected to be on a flight, and this is your training ground. As a trainee you are being groomed to become a working, dependable, professional flight attendant and you must exhibit those qualities while in training. You will attend classes from a prepared schedule with very few deviations. Classes routinely last all day and often into the evening with meal breaks between.

  An example of a day in training might be: 0800-0900-Exam, emergency eqpt. location 0900-1030-Grooming/appearance evaluation 1030-1200-Simulated flight 1200-1300- Lunch break 1300-1330-Examination results 1330-1445-Company regulations review 1500-1730- Evacuation briefings 1730-1830- Medical skills evaluation

  Material

  As mentioned earlier training will be intense with a great deal of information in a relatively short period of time. The knowledge you take with you from your initial training will stay with you always and may even save someone’s life.

  You will learn:

  -Basic knowledge of aircraft operation during all phases of flight so you will be knowledgeable enough to detect unusual changes in flight or on the ground.

  -You will learn and be expected to demonstrate complete proficiency on the location and operation of every piece of safety and first aid equipment on board every aircraft you are trained on. This equipment ranges from portable oxygen tanks to heart defibrillator.

  -You will learn and be expected to demonstrate life saving techniques including full cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

  -You will learn and demonstrate how to effectively handle an onboard fire, a ditching, an emergency landing, a hijacking and every other imaginable on board situation.

  -Your ability to work closely and successfully with others will be tested repeatedly.

  -You will role play numerous inflight situations to train you to deal with actual on board situations.

  -You work hands-on in state of the art aircraft simulators learning how inflight services are to be performed. -You will learn and be expected to demonstrate all phases of flight from takeoff to landing while your skills are evaluated by an instructor.

  -Numerous real time exercises will be performed including the evacuation of an aircraft simulator. All evacuation drills must be performed verbatim and in the Federal Aviation Administration required time frame. Other real time exercises include working a real time flight aboard an aircraft simulator, including delivering announcements, performing safety checks and executing a real time service all while being evaluated by an instructor.

  You and your classmates will also work aboard real airplanes on “work trips”. These trips normally take place toward the end of training and will require that you wear your uniform and actually work aboard an airplane as an “extra” flight attendant. The work trips allow you to put your knowledge to use in a real atmosphere and be able to practice what you have spent long days learning. Some of the work trips may require that you layover with the crew as well and return to training the following day. On the work trip you will be evaluated by the flight attendants you work with and paperwork will be sent back to your instructors indicating your performance.

  Instructors

  Your training class will normally consist of between forty to seventy trainees. It sounds like a lot but you will become like a small family by the end of training. Your class will usually have four or five instructors assigned to teach. These instructors are normally flight attendants who are taking a break from their flying to work another position within the company. Your instructors are to be respected and revered and you will come to know them as sort of cheerleaders leading you through the very busy, material laden weeks of training. They genuinely want each of their trainees to succeed and normally work very hard and have an incredible commitment to their group in terms of supporting and encouraging the trainees. Each trainee will usually be assigned a personal instructor within the group of instructors who will be responsible for evaluating your appearance and overall per-ormance throughout training. Your personal instructor as well as the team of instructors will coach you, counsel you and keep you on the right track during training.

  Instructors will normally appear in uniform while teaching and will certainly hold you to a high standard with their own appearance. Many trainees come to idolize their instructors. I worked a flight with one of my instructors years after graduating and I was still in awe of him. Your instructor will certainly leave an imprint on you in many ways.

  Uniforms

  One of the highlights of training will definitely be the day you visit the fit line to try on your flight attendant uniform and choose your regulation luggage pieces. The first time you wear the uniform, the long road of training becomes worth it! Nearly all airlines will require that you purchase your uniform ensemble. Normally airlines will assess you a minimal payroll deduction over time. This deduction is usually in the twenty dollar a month range. Many airlines allow a specified amount of alteration expenses for you to use as well. A few airlines will cover airline uniform dry cleaning expenses as well. Replacement of uniform pieces is normally done annually. Some airlines maintain actual airline uniform shops where you may redeem allocated “points” for pieces each year at company expense. Some airlines require that you continue to purchase your replacements.

  Base assignments/seniority

  As mentioned earlier, your base assignment and your seniority number will be assigned to you in training. Airlines use several methods of assigning the numbers within a training class, but most will assign the numbers by birthdate within the class. Some airlines will assign the seniority numbers randomly or based on age or social security numbers.

  As far as base assignments, generally your class will be assigned based on operational need. Not all bases at an airline need additional flight attendants. The bases are assigned based solely on operational need. Bases with the highest turnover or the highest amount of flight attendants transferring out to other bases are generally the bases assigned to new hire flight attendants. Base assignments will normally not be announced until near the end of training. Not all airlines offer a choice of base selection but many airlines will allow you to create a “wish list” listing in order of priority where you would like to be based. There is no way to anticipate which bases will be available. For example, my entire class was assigned to Chicago whereas the class behind us was split between Dallas, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. Definitely do not go into training expecting a base choice, remember you said you were flexible! Transferring to another base of your choice is normally allowable within the first few months of flying. You will also have an opportunity to see and live in a city you might not have thought you would enjoy. Also, flying opportunities differ at each individual base. Make the most of the time and make it an adventure no matter how difficult it may seem. Roommates to share expenses are generally easy to find as most trainees form very strong friendships after enduring and completing the training process together and you may even find that you like the city you are assigned to!

  Graduation

  Flight attendant training graduation will be a joyous day full of celebration. Most airlines treat a training graduation as a major event, staging an elaborate graduation and even flying in your friends or family members as special guests. Often an elaborate reception precedes or follows the graduation ceremony. You will take part and be recognized in a very special ceremony held in your honor. You’ll also finally be receiving a well earned, shiny pair of wings. You will realize the culmination of all of your hard work and extraordinary effort. You may even be saddened at the prospect
of separating from your classmates and instructors after all you have endured together. Don’t worry though, you’ll eventually meet up in an airport somewhere or work a flight together and marvel over your long days in training! Some airlines will fly you home for a brief stay before you are required to depart to your base city, whereas some airlines will fly you off to your base city immediately following graduation.

  Probationary period

  Each airline requires a specified probationary period lasting from three to twelve months depending on the airline. The moment you receive your wings you are transformed from a trainee to a new hire and your probationary period in effect begins. Throughout your probationary period you will be expected to demonstrate your ability to be prompt, dependable and receive favorable inflight reviews from your coworkers, passengers and your assigned base supervisor. You are going to leave training equipped with the tools and the knowledge to be a professional flight attendant. Your supervisor will not purposefully make your probationary period stressful as they genuinely want to see new hires succeed after the airline has invested so much time and money into your selection and training. However any sort of attendance problem or unfavorable inflight reviews are normally cause for termination while on probation. It is generally at the end of the probation period that you receive your travel benefits and the opportunity to transfer to another base.

  Recurrent training

  You will be tested annually on all the information you learned and performed while in initial training. This refresher is referred to as recurrent training. Recurrent training for flight attendants is mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration and is intended to keep your proficiency sharp and to allow you to gather information on new procedures as they are enacted by your airline. All first aid and emergency skills are assessed each year along with evacuation drills on each aircraft you are qualified to work aboard. The atmosphere at recurrent training is much different than the stress filled training atmosphere, as you are returning each year to your “alma mater” as a seasoned professional flight attendant.

  Manual

  Each and every flight attendant is issued an inflight manual while in initial training. This manual contains in written form all of the vital information you need to perform your job. All inflight announcements, service guidelines, emergency equipment location diagrams, evacuation procedures, first aid procedures and just about everything else you would ever need to refer to is in this manual. As new revisions to procedure are enacted by the airline, all flight attendants are required to revise their personal manual. As a flight attendant, you will be required to carry the manual with you at all times while working and are subject to be checked by either the airline or the FAA at anytime for compliance.

  Chapter seven Final approach

  Ambition can be described as an aspiration, a goal, an aim or a desire. Often to be ambitious enough to reach a goal you have to stake everything on obtaining it. I knew when I was eighteen years old flying on American Airlines on vacation that I was going to become a flight attendant. Just two years later, American Airlines hired me and my life was changed forever. Not because it was easy, but because I had to work for it. I had to relocate and I had to endure some tough times but in the end I had reached my goal and was greatly rewarded simply by being able to do what I loved to do. Becoming a flight attendant was a dream come true for me and it can be for you as well.

  No matter your age, your background or your current lifestyle there is most likely a place for you in the airline business. Whether you are just out of high school or college, middle age or even older, whether you are simply looking for a career change or have waited your whole life to achieve your dream of becoming a flight attendant, the time is now! I hear from so many of my readers who share their successes with me and in effect they all say the same thing, becoming a flight attendant is a life changing career move and they are so happy they made the effort and fulfilled their dream.

  You could also be enjoying the incredible life-style, extraordinary benefits and tremendous perks that are an inherent part of the flight attendant profession. You will certainly never have so much fun, work with such engaging co-workers or enjoy such an independent, exciting work environment as you will as a flight attendant. Your unlimited ability to travel extensively, to allow your friends and family to travel practically for free and to be gifted with the option of so many wonderful opportunities within your career are even more reasons to get started now! It is never too late to pursue your dream and begin your flight attendant career.

  Any flight attendant will tell you there is a certain freedom in getting aboard an airplane and simply flying away from everything. It is truly the magic of the career.

  I sincerely hope that my insight and has given you both the inspiration and confidence to reach your goal of becoming a flight attendant.

  I know the guide has given you the valuable information and preparation you are going to need to become a member of one of the most elite groups in aviation. Remember, your positive attitude is going to be an essential part of your success. Best of luck to you and happy flying!

  Chapter eight Prepare for departure

  The first step in applying for a flight attendant position is choosing the airline you wish to apply to. As mentioned earlier, if you have a great deal of flexibility then apply to as many as you wish. Many of my readers interview at numerous airlines and it is a great way to gain airline interview experience. Keep in mind the following requirements when applying or registering for an open house.

  -Each of the following airlines will require you to submit to a drug screening, complete physical and background check and your acceptance to training is contingent upon successfully passing all of them. -At the majority of the airlines listed you are not an official employee of the airline until you successfully complete the mandated training program.

  -All of the listed U.S. airlines require that an applicant have the proper legal documentation to work within the U.S. and to make multiple entries and exits from the U.S. All applicants must also have the ability to fly to all of the countries the airline serves.

  -The ability to read, write, speak and understand English is a requirement at all U.S. airlines.

  -Relocation is a condition of employment at the majority of the airlines listed.

  - Each U.S. airline listed is an equal opportunity employer.

  The addresses listed with some of the following airlines are not listed necessarily for application or resume reasons. As you will read, not all of the airlines listed accept resumes or applications but instead hold open houses exclusively. The addresses are to be used for you to send a professional follow up thank you note after your interview to the recruiter/s who spent time interviewing you. Airline addresses are also available at the airline website.

  Also keep in mind that when visiting an airline website in order to register for an open house, open information session, complete a questionnaire or submit a resume, it is not always simple to find the flight attendant employment location on the web site. Look for “job opportunities”, “corporate”, “careers” or “inside or about (airline name)” among others. You may have to spend a little time navigating, but it will be worth it!

  Take your time when completing your online recruitment questionnaires or online applications as these are programmed to reject inappropriate or incomplete submissions. The questions will normally be yes or no answers but some will require you to answer a essay type question by filling in a field with text. Some online forms will allow a resume to be pasted into the online application form. Be aware that once it is sent to the airline you cannot change it ,so again, take your time and be complete!

  You are going to be required to enter your social security number in order to complete any online application or recruitment questionnaire. Be prepared to do so. Airlines generally offer a secure site for these forms and your social security information is always kept confidential by the airline.

  When writing to
request an application, enclose a self addressed stamped envelope even if the airline does nor specify that you do so. When submitting your resume to an airline do not forget to enclose a professional, enthusiastic cover letter. Always include your objective clearly in both the cover letter and in your resume. Remember, airlines are receiving literally thousands of resumes daily for positions all throughout the company. Having your objective of becoming a flight attendant clearly stated will ensure that your resume is forwarded on to the appropriate department as quickly as possible.

  Again, be sure you meet the requirements of the airline to which you are applying. Most airlines do not make exceptions in specified requirements.

  If applying to an airline that conducts pre-screenings via telephone, be sure you find a time when you can concentrate on the phone call and will not be interrupted or distracted.

  U.S. major and charter airlines

  Alaska Airlines www.alaska-air.com