So You Want to be a Flight Attendant?
July 12, 2007 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Air Travel
So you want to be a Flight Attendant, huh? For many people, it’s the best job that they could possibly have.
I get lots of emails from people asking about my job, wanting to know more about what the job really entails, what the pay is like, and — this is perhaps the most frequent inquiry — what the travel benefits are.
There are really two parts to the job. The part the public sees on a regular basis is the most common part of our duties. This includes things like greeting passengers, directing people to their seats, helping to stow carry-on items, handling duplicate seat assignments, and serving beverages, snacks, and meals.
The other part of the job, and perhaps the one that is the most important, is one that most passengers should hope that they never see. It’s the safety and emergency side of the job.
You may have observed the safety demonstration, and chuckled a little to yourself at how ridiculous the Flight Attendant looks while doing it. However, that “ridiculous” looking Flight Attendant can evacuate the airplane in an emergency in just a few short (and precious) minutes. We can perform lifesaving CPR and heart defibrillation, along with attending to other more minor first aid needs. We are trained to fight onboard fires, deal with bombs (both threats and real) and other security threats, and handle unruly and threatening passengers and situations.
It’s a complicated mix of skills — including customer service, crowd management, first aid — and a lot of common sense. Every day is different, and some are better than others. For most of us, the job becomes a way of life, and we can’t imagine returning to a more structured work environment. No one believes it when they are hired, but the lifestyle gets into your blood and it’s hard to let go.
I found this video, and although it’s a little corny and staged, it does give you a little bit of background about some of tasks involved in the job of a Flight Attendant.
I enjoy my job immensely, and although there are days that are long and difficult, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve done many other things career-wise, but so far, being a Flight Attendant is the best.
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an interesting insider’s view
You certainly have seen a lot of the country because of your choice of careers.
Are there any age limits to join the ranks?
What’s the best benefit of being an FA?
The job does allow me to see much of the country, SP. Including, hopefully, a trip to see Melissa when she comes to the US.
The minimum age is 18, with a high school diploma required. Some airlines require you to be at least 21.
Here’s an article that should help answer some of your questions. Let me know if I can help more.
Tim Kirkwood
Author, The Flight Attendant Job Finder & Career Guide
http://www.crew4jets.com
crew4jets@aol.com
While there may be a few small regional carriers who will hire with a minimum age of 18, those are the exception rather than the rule. A recruiter that I spoke with indicated that all of the majors, and all of the regionals and good-sized commuters all required 21 years of age.
While you may find some smaller commuters or corporate Flight Attendant jobs that will hire you at 18, you lose out on many of the benefits of the job with those positions (schedule flexibility, pay, travel perks).
There seems to be no upper age limit any more, and I have flown with new-hires in their late 60’s early 70’s starting a new career.
hey i am 18 years old hispanic female, i have a great personality and im really great with customers. i would really like to persue a career as a flight attendent but i was wondering which airlines do u know of that would most likely hire me?..
hi,i’m a 20 years Haitian female, i have a great personality and agreat with customers,i would like to have a career as a flight attendent ,iwondering which airline do you know of that would most hire me.
hi,i’m 20 years hold,iwant to a flight attendent , i have agreat personality, iwould like to know which airline that curently hiring.
Hi my name is Roslin i am very friendly good hearthed 22 year old female
becoming a flight attendant has been my dream since the age of 8 years old
it is still my passion
i think i would really make a very nice air flight attendant
i really need a contact number for any flight attendant school close to the west rand area Roodepoort South africa
as i made the desicion to go for all the lessons required and training so that when i reach my goal i would be ready and grab it with both hands
please kindly assist me anyone with a contact number
please my email address to reach for me is