How To Become A Flight Attendant

If you have ever applied to an airline for a flight attendant position, you were probably surprised to be confronted with a daunting application situation. Very few people are chosen to become flight attendants, and, with most of the major airlines continuing to forestall hiring for awhile longer, there are fewer jobs for the growing number of applicants. That is why you must be among the very best in the application process.

The process typically works like this: the applicant will go to the airline’s website, fill out an online application template which is similar to an application; many airlines now use computers to scan the application, attempting to pull out key words that relate to their requirements for flight attendants. The successful applicant may then be called for a brief telephone screening, in which the screener asks several questions, sometimes a behavioral or situational question. If the applicant answers the screening questions successfully, he or she may be asked to attend an open house interview session. If successful in the first part of the open house, the applicant is often invited to a second or even a third interview, followed by a training date. Each time the applicant is interviewed, recruiters make a “cut”, and as you can see, each time there is a cut, the applicant’s chances of making it to training will dwindle if they do not present appropriately.

There may be quite a few applicants in the room at the first interview session. There could be 70 people in the room and only 20 chosen for a second interview, and out of that 20, only 4 may be hired. So you see, the competition is quite fierce. Many people may think it will be a piece of cake if they look nice and smile, but there is clearly a lot more to it than that.

I was once in the room when a former flight attendant with another airline was interviewing. She had gone out the day before and purchased a $200 suit; her hair was immaculately coiffed and she had gotten a professional manicure. She looked very professional and well put-together. She performed admirably during the first interview, and was held back for a second. In the second portion, she botched a rather elementary behavioral question and was not invited to training. Airlines have gotten wise to the fact that job seekers are somewhat savvier these days, so they have upped-the-ante to incorporate a more challenging interview track. Interviews now include behavior questions that determine how well you can think on your feet, and it is difficult to prepare for that if you don’t know what will be thrown at you. This requires careful preparation and knowledge of the recruitment process as well as good communication skills and professionalism. One can’t simply show up and look smashing – you must have something to say that will give them credibility now, as many people are finding out.

Job seekers are occasionally overheard as saying, after being turned down for the job, “did you see who they took – why on earth did they choose that one?” Well, obviously the recruiters are looking for something that many people take for granted, and that is substance. Airlines are seeking those who stand out from the crowd in the interview. You can’t just be acceptable – you must give them something that no one else in the room possesses, something which is not always obvious to the untrained observer. You have to market your assets to them in a way that will compel them to make you a part of their company. An obligation to shine as the brightest star is what is needed – the flight attendant interview is now akin to an audition, and the presentation you give can make you or break you.

Learning to speak with poise and panache is key. While it may feel awkward to you at first, practice in front of your mirror at home or have a friend or family member grill you with behavioral-type questions. Preparation is the name of the game, and you must be a good salesperson in order to market yourself to the airlines.

When interviewing for an airline, never take anything for granted. If you don’t have some kind of preparation, you are putting your future in someone else’s hands; take control and prepare extensively for the interview – it’s a question of you against everyone else in the room!

My story starts at age four. I was watching a kiddie TV show, and suddenly, there on the screen appeared the most beautiful creature I had ever seen! She wore an elegant navy blue uniform with golden wings on her chest, and she got to fly in airplanes EVER DAY! Well – that was enough for me! I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, and have never deviated from that dream!

From that day on, I lined up chairs in the living room and filled them with dolls and teddy bears, making them my passengers. I talked my brother into being the pilot; he flew the “plane” and I served everyone coffee for hours on end.

When I graduated from high school, I went on to college in Texas, but all I could think about was flying. I would be walking to class, look up in the sky and see an airplane and longingly dream of what would one day be my “office” in the air. I started applying to airlines and flew to several interviews while in school, once getting stranded an entire weekend in Houston! But that didn’t discourage me – I just kept applying, hoping that one day I would be successful in my diligent pursuit.

Finally my chance came. I had just turned 19 (I was finally old enough!) and I heard that Eastern Airlines was having interviews in the Washington, D.C. area – my home. It was to be held on the following Saturday at a hotel in McLean, Virginia. So I made my plans.

I awakened that morning to ten inches of snow, still heavily falling. I wondered if the recruiter would still be there to interview me today. Oh, well, there was no way to find out but to go. And if there was a way to get there, I was determined to do it!

I had snow chains on my tire and an ice scraper in my gloved hand. Dressed in Eskimo attire, out the door I went, headed for my lifetime adventure. Knowing that the interview was about ten miles away and the inclement weather would probably slow me down, I left an hour early. Nothing was going to stop me, even though I experienced a quite a bit of difficulty driving. I skidded a couple of times, stalled out at one point, and my heater went out. But I was undeterred. As I plowed through the thick blanket of falling snow, I had only one thing on my mind. All I could see through the blinding white was a vision of myself strutting through airports, dressed in my finest airline livery, gleaming golden wings pinned to my chest. Faraway lands awaited me, and I was trying my best to get there!

After driving slowly and carefully, I arrived at my destination. With no thought as to how I would get back home in the deepening powder, I forged ahead with my interview, and gave it my all. I developed an immediate chemistry with Mrs. Burton, the recruiter. She must have felt compassion for me, observing that I had driven through a raging blizzard. Sensing how determined and serious I was, she closed the interview with the assurance that I would hear something within one week.

A week came and went. And another week. I could hardly contain myself. Finally, I could stand the suspense no longer - I called the recruiter! She reassured me that I had been recommended for employment, and couldn’t figure out why I was not contacted. “However”, she said, “it is not customary to inform an applicant why he or she was not hired”. She regretted that she could do no more to encourage me, but I pressed on. I told her that if there was anything that needed to be changed and it was in my power to change it, I wanted to be given a chance to do so. Maybe I could take steps to improve or clarify whatever was holding me back. She protested at first, but I persisted in my crusade and was able to convince her to investigate. She said she would get back with me.

I waited by the phone in agony another three weeks. What in the world was happening? Why didn’t they notify me? What went wrong? Finally the jangling of the phone shook me out of my despair – it was Mrs. Burton! My heart pounded; my hands became moist and shaky – this was the big moment!

“Wendy”, she murmured, “I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to begin flight attendant training in two weeks!” I had finally received the answer I wanted to hear – I got the job! She said that my application had been set aside, waiting for my physical report. It got placed on the wrong desk – the desk of someone who no longer worked there! Mrs. Burton found it, and the rest is history!

I never, ever became daunted in the quest of achieving my goal. I am an active participant in shaping my fate. After this tumultuous interviewing experience, I went on to enjoy six wonderful years of flying, which led to other positions in a supervisory capacity. I am more sensitive to the plight of the applicant who really wants an airline job, and this experience has had a major part in influencing many of my decisions as a recruiter. Determination is a valuable thing – just think how my life might have been had I not relentlessly pursued my goal!

Page 11. Why You Need to be the Best in the Room!

There are many good reasons to become a flight attendant. There are several reasons why we pursue this sometimes elusive career path.

In the beginning days of air travel, “stewardesses”, as they were called then, had to be registered nurses who swatted flies in the cabin, lifted mailbags and distributed gum and served passengers box lunches and water served in thermos jugs. Things have come a long way, however, as “passengers” are now referred to as “customers”; “stewardesses” are now called “flight attendants”, they bid their trips by computer, and flights that used to take 10 hours can now be navigated in 3. And now, there are some very good reasons for becoming a flight attendant.

You will probably never get rich being a flight attendant; monetarily rich, anyway. The average salary is in the $45K range; however, flight attendants flying lead, internationally, with seniority, have been known to make upwards of $90K. But you don’t do this just for the money – you have to have a passion for it to make it as a flight attendant. Because being a flight attendant is just SO MUCH FUN!

When I went to my first airline interview, I went through a raging blizzard to get to the recruiting office. The recruiter was impressed that I came out into the frozen tundra, that I wanted the job so badly that I would endure scraping the windshield and hazardous driving conditions and bitter cold just to meet with her. What makes this job so coveted that people will do brave these kinds of conditions in order to get a job in the sky?

Let’s start with environment. Few jobs offer the chance to work in a different environment every day, with different scenery, surrounded by different faces. One day you may fly with a rock star, the next day with a sweet, kindly grandmother that wants to show you pictures of all her grandchildren and shower you with compliments; you may meet people who are noted scientists, politicians, celebrities, military personnel or world-famous athletes. Our flight attendants flew military charters to Desert Storm and received medals from the military. I have met poets, movie stars and all the above, plus the plain-old, down-to-earth boy-next-door college guy who just thought I was the “bees knees” getting paid to fly around every day! We sat and talked and he gave me all the information I needed to explore the sights of Maui.

Ah, adventure - the ability to see the world! I have experienced the turquoise of the Caribbean Sea, the black sands of Hawaii, the excitement of London’s Piccadilly Circus, the Emerald Isles of Ireland, the ancient wonders of Egypt, the splendor of the Rockies, the grandeur of the grand canyon, and so much more, while still young enough to appreciate it.

One of the wonderful things about being an airline employee is the benefit of mobility. I could go see my best friend in New Jersey who just had her baby and visit my cousins in North Carolina; I was able to hop a quick flight to Virginia for a family emergency, fly to California to see a rock star I met at a concert, and hop a flight to Philadelphia for an exciting date. I once woke up on my day off and decided to take a spur-of-the-moment jaunt to St. Thomas for a day of shopping, bought a watch and some shoes, had a great time, then flew back home.

I have met other airline employees whom I will never forget; a pilot who took me flying in his Cessna and taught me to roll and do loops; a customer service agent who went on vacation to Thailand and brought me jewelry from his trip; another flight attendant based in New York who invited me up to do lunch, shopping and a play, and many other memorable people. I met lifetime friends while I was flying, and no other job enjoys the incredible camaraderie as that of flight crewmembers.

There is nothing routine about the job of a flight attendant. Schedules are so varied – I have flown early morning flights, afternoon flights, evening flights and midnight flights. Sometimes I worked for 3 hours, sometimes for 14. The humdrum routine of 9 to 5 is virtually nonexistent in the aviation world; around every turn there is a surprise! Your schedule changes sometimes daily, especially in the beginning, when most airlines start new flight attendants on “reserve”, or on-call status. Being on call can be advantageous – you can have opportunities to fly some really good trips that you normally have to have a lot of seniority in order to fly. As a new reserve, I once flew a trip from Atlanta to Los Angeles. While in LA, we took a tour of the telescope at the Mt. Palomar Tower. I had a long layover in Portland once, where all the crew went snow skiing! Ah, the good life.

And then there’s the time off, one of the great perks of being a flight attendant. My flight attendant roommate and I used to sit on our balcony and watch the nine-to-fivers trudge home from work, briefcases and umbrellas in hand, weary of their daily trek to and from their boring existences. We were off at least 10 scheduled days a month, not to mention the days on reserve where we were never called out for a trip. We would simply go to have fun somewhere or go see a friend and take the pager or cell phone. Most people have the same 8 days off every month; we had a lot more.

As you can see, this is an exciting job, none other even remotely like it. By virtue of the fact that you are one of the few chosen out of hundreds enhances the job appeal, and nothing equals the feeling of walking through an airport terminal in your uniform, wings proudly displayed on your chest. If you want to pursue an outstanding career, become a flight attendant!

Page 10. How I Became a Flight Attendant

It seems that everyone wants a job with a major airline. And this is no small wonder – major airlines go to far away places, typically offer the highest pay and the largest benefit packages, not to mention the prestige attached with belonging to one of the nation’s major air carriers. But there are some great things about working for smaller airlines.

Maybe you have tried and have been unable to obtain a job with a major airline, as the competition in this arena is most challenging and airlines have a certain image of the employee they want. Or maybe you are not able to relocate, and can only work for an airline with a base in your area; perhaps you simply prefer the idea of working for a small company, or maybe there are just some qualities of a certain airline that you favor over another. Whatever the reason, there can be many benefits attached to working for a national or feeder carrier.

A national airline is usually a medium-sized carrier, serving a smaller region than a major airline and larger than a feeder or regional airline. These airlines usually operate within the confines of North America and possibly Central America and/or the Caribbean. Airlines that are classified as national airlines include companies such as AirTran, Midway, Spirit, Frontier and JetBlue. If you are not interested in flying globally on a daily basis, these airlines still offer reciprocal pass benefits on major airlines, so the opportunity to fly internationally during off-time is extremely likely. Most national carriers also offer abundant benefit packages and the pay, while somewhat less than that of the majors, increases in a timely manner.

For those of you who prefer an even smaller scale company, there are the regional or feeder airlines. These airlines provide connecting service to the major airlines through hub cities and fly to smaller towns that major airlines are unable to service. Flight attendants for regional airlines have many regular customers, people who fly the same routes throughout the week, usually for business travel. These travelers are frequent flyers who give the flight attendants the treat of seeing familiar faces every day. Most regional airlines require only one flight attendant per aircraft, and many flight attendants have found that they enjoy this one-person-show. They are in charge of their passengers and performing their inflight duties autonomously, working on their own. This gives them a chance to creatively provide their own brand of service to passengers, without having to negotiate with other flight attendants on inflight matters, and is considered to be the best of all worlds for some independent souls. Regional airlines usually have competitive pay within the industry and enjoy benefits with other larger airlines as well. Yes, you can still travel the globe for huge discounts!

Another possibility for a flight attendant career with a smaller company is with a charter airline. Charter airlines work with groups who, in essence, lease or rent a flight to go to a particular destination of their choosing. Some clients of charter airlines include the military, other airlines, vacation tour groups, athletes, rock stars and celebrities. In most cases these airlines fly globally and flight attendants can be gone for extended periods of time. Flight attendants for charter airlines have the benefit of globe hopping as an everyday part of the job. Charter airlines are great if you want to see the world right now - your first trip may be to an exotic location! There is more opportunity to move “up the ladder” and grow in the company if you work for a smaller airline, as there are fewer people ahead of you. Since these types of airlines are smaller in scale, it is possible to form lasting relationships with more people within your company, and some folks enjoy this closer camaraderie. Airlines such as these offer you the ability to limit your scope of travel to a given area. They follow the same FAA regulations, holding to the same safety standards as the big guys.

When applying for a job with a smaller airline don’t assume that just because they are a smaller company that the hiring process will not be at all competitive – smaller airlines can be extremely picky, and their hiring needs are for fewer people. These positions are coveted as well, so keep up your edge when interviewing and don’t let your guard down.

Keep an open mind when applying for an airline job, and don’t exclude the medium and small airlines. It is wise not to hold out only for a major carrier. A smaller company may be just the right fit for you, so consider all the possibilities before you decide for sure.

Page 9. Why We Want to be Flight Attendants

For those of you who are interested in a career as a flight attendant, jobs with the major airlines are not the only option and may not be the right fit for some job seekers. There is a smorgasbord of jobs available, offering different advantages for the diverse types of people interested in flying.

The most popular and well-known type of flight attendant is the one who flies for a major airline, such as US Airways, Continental, Delta, United, Southwest, TWA, American, Northwest or America West. These airlines, with the exception of Southwest, are global carriers. As a flight attendant with these airlines you will be able to fly all over the world, although it may require several years’ seniority in order to do so on a regular basis. They fly a variety of aircraft, which may include medium size jets such as the Boeing 737 to jumbo-jets such as the DC 10. These airlines have a number of bases nationwide and sometimes worldwide, and the reserve system varies from several months to several years. The pay scale is generally higher with the major carriers, with a full range of benefits available, such as paid time off, medical, dental and life insurance, credit unions, 401K’s, profit sharing, and pass benefits. And the older, more established airlines generally have more reciprocal flight benefits with other airlines than newer start-up airlines do.

The second most popular type is the flight attendant for the national airline. Nationals usually go shorter distances. They service the smaller cities that are not frequented by as many passengers as the ones served by major airlines but still require service. These airlines include AirTran, Spirit, Midway, Midwest Express, Frontier and National Airlines and may serve cities such as Greensboro, NC, Ft. Walton Beach, FL or Chicago’s Midway Airport. They most often use only one type of aircraft such as the B-737 or MD-80. The benefits for these airlines are similar to the majors, with perhaps not quite as many perks. Time spent on reserve varies, and is not usually as long as those of the major airlines. Layover time is also shorter most of the time, since these airlines are generally lower fare carriers and have quick turns with their aircraft.

Flight attendants for another class of airlines, called regionals, fly on smaller aircraft, usually turboprops or small jets called Regional Jets (RJ’s). For the most part, these flights carry commuters and passengers connecting to the mainstream airlines. Most of their aircraft seat fewer than 50 passengers and require only one flight attendant. If you like working without anyone looking over your shoulder, this type of flying might be for you. These airlines fly shorter distances, usually within one state or a small region, such as the northeast. Some of these airlines are Comair, Sky West, US Airways Express, United Express and American Eagle. Benefits with these airlines are still comparable with larger ones, as well as having flight discounts with the larger carriers.

Another kind of airline that uses flight attendants is the charter airline. This type of airline does not have many scheduled flights but is chartered by tour groups. The flight schedules may change from month-to-month, as well as cities served. Some of these airlines go all over the world for most of their flights, and it is not unusual for a new flight attendant to find him or herself on a trip to Europe the first month out of training! These airlines usually have fewer employees, but the flying is more specialized. Most flights for charter airlines travel to vacation spots and exotic locations, but can also involve military transport. Benefits are comparable in most cases, with the possible exception of reciprocal passes from scheduled airlines. Some well-known charter airlines are American Trans Air, Miami Air, Sun Country and World Airways. Some of these airlines do not have continuous reserve, but only require it one day per month, for all their flight attendants.

There is also a type of flight attendant known as the corporate flight attendant. Flying corporate involves working for a corporation or an individual instead of an established airline. The airplanes they use are usually small ones such as Falcons or Challengers, but may even be smaller, private aircraft or large ones, such as Boeing 737’s. The flight attendants fly to wherever they are needed, and sometimes they must be available at a moment’s notice. The crew may be gone for weeks at a time, but due to the fact that these personnel must be available so frequently, this type of flying can command quite a lucrative salary. A corporate flight attendant can expect to make anywhere from $30,000/yr. to $60,000, and this can even go higher, depending on the policy of the corporation or individual. The service offered on corporate flights is exemplary, in order to pamper their customers. Usually specialized training is required prior to applying, which the company rarely provides. And it’s best to know someone within the company who can put in a good word for you, as these jobs are seldom advertised. Some examples of people who use corporate flight attendants are athletic teams such as the Orlando Magic, celebrities, private companies and wealthy, private individuals who travel frequently.

No matter what kind of flying you choose, it is nice to know there are options other than the obvious ones for which most people apply. Each type of airline has its own character, so if a major airline is a Roadrunner and you are a Donald Duck, you may be happier working for a regional or a charter. A lot of these jobs can be quite satisfying, and afford some advantages not provided by the majors, such as short reserve and seniority time, immediate international travel, and a closer-knit camaraderie not always obtained within large companies. Taking the time to carefully weigh your decision may make the difference between being in the right job with the wrong company or having just the “right fit” based on your needs!

Page 8. Advantages of Working for Smaller Airlines

At the heart of the flight attendant job lies the sweetness provided by the fruits of labor. Amid the frustration of crazy schedules, rude passengers, bad weather and difficult co-workers, the flight attendant job provides perks like no other. Many times this wonderful lifestyle is downplayed, in order to ensure that the job applicant is made aware of the difficulty experienced in the beginning.

If you are able to withstand the irregularities of the position for the first few months, the benefits far outweigh the challenges. After the probationary period is over, as an airline employee you will receive space-available air travel for a minimal charge, or in some cases complimentary, on your own airline. In addition this, you will be provided with a plethora of travel discounts on other carriers, anywhere from a 50% discount to 90%. Some even offer an annual “freebie”, on a space-available basis! I remember flying to England and Ireland once on another carrier for the humongous fare of $40! We enjoyed seeing castles and the beautiful Yorkshire countryside; we toured Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London, shopped at Piccadilly Circus, and boogied the nights away in the discos. Nothing will ever erase this wonderful experience from my mind!

Hotels and car rental agencies also give reduced rates to airline employees, as well as some eateries and tour packages. Most establishments around airline hub cities cater to airline employees and give generous discounts. Many courtesies are extended to airline employees that are usually extended only to high rolling jet setters. I once stayed in a hotel that had biking and horseback riding trails – free to us, and unlimited access to a Jacuzzi and workout room. The owners also provided a private car for our use only, to go into town and shop during our 23-hour layover in that city. I have been to the Grand Canyon and hiked the Appalachian Trail; I have sunned in the Caribbean and snow skied in Portland; I have beheld the magnificence of Niagara Falls, shopped-till-I-dropped at the Mall of the Americas and strolled the monuments and historical sights in Washington, D.C. Most of the vacation spots in America have been my stomping grounds. If you fly internationally as a flight attendant, the world will be your playground; even if you fly for a domestic carrier, you can go virtually ANYWHERE on vacation!

Some of the people I have met while onboard an airplane have been quite memorable and I consider this a perk of the job. I have met really nice folks who generously gave the flight crews samples of their various wares, including shoes I received from a shoe salesman, a very large box of retail size cosmetics from a cosmetics rep, clothing from apparel store owners, and autographed books from celebrities. Some of the famous people I met while flying include legendary actors, rock musicians, politicians, poets, writers, athletes and artists. For the most part, these folks can be quite down-to-earth and interesting to talk to. I’ve gotten many a free ticket to a concert or ball game from celebs I have met and it’s a real kick to meet them!

The company benefits for airline employees are also quite generous, affording paid days off, medical and dental benefits, credit unions and 401K’s. And what other job gives you as many days off per month (10 – 15)? But, putting aside all the wonderful above mentioned benefits you reap when working for an airline, nothing can compare to the emotional benefits you get from providing comfort and companionship to scared or emotionally distraught folks. When lending an ear to someone who is going through a family crisis and being told by them that you were the ray of sunshine in their day, the personal gratification you will receive for a job well done is one of the most rewarding parts of the job.

Finally, the one thing not often mentioned is that there is also a certain unexplainable joy when walking through an airport terminal in your uniform. Nothing warms my heart like hearing a little girl say to her mommy, “I want to be an airplane lady when I grow up!” Not everyone who relishes the honor of being chosen for this outstanding position is bestowed with the revered flight wings. The flight attendant job holds a curious mystique that attracts many admirers, envious of the adventure and excitement we experience on a daily basis. And the camaraderie experienced is typical only to this industry – where else can 5 perfect strangers, with diverse personalities and backgrounds, at the end of a 4-day trip, click and become lifelong friends? And that, my friend, is why we fly!

Page 7. The Different Types of Flight Attendants 

After six weeks of waiting, I finally got the letter telling me I got accepted for training for my favorite airline! I was so excited – my lifelong dream finally came true! My favorite airline has sent me a non-revenue ticket to come to training for seven weeks at their home base city. I received my packed for training, which included some information about the airline that I would need to know by the time I arrived for training. I had to learn aircraft definitions, the 24-hour clock, and the three-letter codes of the cities the airline flies to. It is Friday and I need to pack now, because I leave for training Sunday afternoon!

My flight got into the home city of the airline about 3 pm on Sunday, the day before training was to begin. I checked in at the training center and found my roommate, Jill, a perky brunette from Alabama. We would be sharing a room for the next few weeks, so we spent that evening getting acquainted. We brushed up on the information we had to learn for our first quiz, and retired early before the long day ahead of us.

Monday morning we arrived at the flight attendant training academy at 0830. We were required to dress in business attire for class. The first thing that morning we filled out human resources forms and were given a physical by the airline physician. We then took the test on our pre-training packets and learned about the history of the airline.

After lunch we launch right into the 7 different types of aircraft this airline uses. We begin to study the layout of the aircraft, where all the exits are located and where all the emergency equipment is located. Throughout the course of the next seven weeks, we learn how to operate all the safety equipment such as the fire extinguishers, protective breathing equipment, oxygen systems, life vests, megaphone, emergency locater transmitters and exits on each of the airplanes this airline operates. The reason our training is seven weeks is because they have so many different types of aircraft to learn, and EVERYTHING IS IN A DIFFERENT PLACE on all the airplanes!

The second week we got to try on and order our uniforms. This was the best day during training – we could finally see what we would look like all decked out in our flight attendant finery! The uniforms had many items from which we could choose – skirts, dresses, slacks, blouses, vests, scarves, jackets and coats, as well as a flight bag that would hold the Grand Canyon. At least it had wheels!

Each week we study a different type of aircraft and have a test every day. I am now getting writers’ cramp and a numb brain – they sure cram a lot into seven weeks! We are also taught about FAA regulations, company policies, drug awareness, crew relations, personal appearance standards, service procedures, pre-flight briefings, and first aid. We learned about decompressions and other inflight emergencies, security, HAZMAT and COMAT. We fought fires and learned commands to shout during emergencies. We even had a simulated emergency evacuation, complete with smoke, red lights indicating fire and a rocking, contorting fuselage that we had to exit within 90 seconds – by jumping into a slide that was 3-stories high! What an experience – scary, but lots of fun! We felt like we could conquer the world at that point!

The sixth week of training we performed a water ditching. We were given a packaged life raft and were told to toss it (TOSS 100 pounds?!) into the water, pull the red handle to inflate it, and get in with our bulky life vests on! Rubber against rubber makes this an extremely difficult task. I never dreamed what a fiasco my entry into the life raft would be. But after much tugging and pulling on the part of my trusted classmates, my rear end up in the air for all to see, I finally made it into the raft. And of course, some wise guy on the side of the pool had to take a picture, which is now indelibly etched in the brains of my classmates!

We then had to set up a canopy on the raft and identify all the survival equipment. Our group got entirely too much water in the raft and had to bail it out. Our rendition of “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” was not a required part of this particular exercise – it certainly wasn’t in the training manual, and effectively unhinged our instructor! But how else were we to cope with the stress of a water ditching?

Interspersed throughout our weekends in the academy were our training flights. These brief missions were a tedious test of our ability to withstand the embarrassment of wearing the TRAINEE button on our serving smocks. They couldn’t just make this a small, unobtrusive nametag – it was the size of Missouri and had our designated titles in big red letters. When standing in the front of the first class cabin, these tags could be easily read all the way to the last row in tourist! Everyone knew we were flunkies and took full advantage of our obvious stupidity and innocence! The passengers and crew alike had us jumping through hoops, but were actually supportive in the end, giving us a hand for all the patience we had displayed.

Before the end of flight attendant training, we received our base assignments. I had buddied up with a couple of people who were assigned to the same base I was, and we decided to become roommates. The airline gave us a list of apartment complexes frequently used by their crews, and we were all set. Fortunately, I had saved about $1500 before training to help with deposits on rent and utilities and other expenses until our first paycheck arrived. We would be given a week after graduation to return home to get our cars and other belongings and drive to our base city.

Finally graduation day arrived – we would soon be official. Our class had begun with 35 people, but two never showed up the first day, three quit after the second week, and 2 were mysteriously sent home in the middle of the night, or so it seemed, after failing too many tests. You must maintain a 90% grade while in training, and if you fail one too many tests, you are O-U-T, no questions asked!

Crisp in our new livery, twenty-eight of us proudly stood in front of our families, instructors and new friends, and received our golden wings, the reason for it all. These wings indicated that we had survived training and that we know how to help everyone on our flights survive if we ever need to. Flight crews are among the closest in any profession, and unbeknownst to me at the time, the camaraderie I encountered in training would follow me throughout my entire flying career.

Page 6. The Flight Attendant Job Perks

As you are contemplating entering a new realm of employment, it is important for you to know exactly what the lifestyle of a flight attendant entails, and reserve is a big part of the initial flight attendant life. It is totally unlike any other job environment you may encounter, and you need to know just what is looming ahead.

Most airlines require that you begin and remain on reserve until your seniority status will allow you to “hold a line”, or bid for scheduled trips. Reserve simply means that you are being held “on reserve” for the needs of the airline crew schedulers. You will you’re your days off for an entire month rather than your specific monthly trips, and you will usually be scheduled for 10 – 14 days off per month, depending on the airline. On your reserve days you will cover vacancies in the schedule that result from sick calls, vacations, medical or maternity leaves and emergency situations.

These days can be moved around at the discretion of the crew scheduler, but many airlines have now incorporated some immovable days into the junior flight attendant’s schedule. This means that there are some of your days off that cannot be moved, regardless of crew scheduling’s needs. These are the days you should plan things like weddings, important events, and anything that is extremely significant and would cause a huge hassle to change. Many a bride will schedule her wedding day on what she is counting on being her days off, only to have crew scheduling change them at the last minute! This usually either wrecks the wedding plans or terminates that person’s flight attendant career.

Reserve days usually go from midnight of the first day to midnight of the last day, and you will be on reserve for several days in a row. It will be necessary for you to be available on an on-call basis for crew scheduling 24 hours a day, with as little as one hour’s notice. It is usually necessary for you to live within 2 hours of the airport where you are based, so you must be packed and ready at all times while you are on your reserve days. You will need to maintain a permanent residence and phone number in the base city to which you have been assigned. Pagers and cell phones are usually permitted as secondary contact numbers for crew scheduling, at the flight attendant’s own expense.

Do not count on having weekends off in the beginning, or holidays either. You may not get a Christmas off for 2 or 3 years, or even more, depending on what your seniority is within your base domicile. But there are advantages to being off on days when most people are not – stores are not as crowded, you can get business such as doctor’s and dental appointments without having to take off from work, and it is easier to ride standby on your airline passes if you choose to travel on your days off.

Some airlines alternating their reserve with scheduled flying, that is, you may be on reserve for one month and then have scheduled trips the next month, then back to reserve, rotating from month to month. Other airlines integrate one reserve day per month into ALL their flight attendant’s schedules, so that everyone shares the responsibility of reserve briefly each month, regardless of seniority.

When on reserve, a flight attendant receives a guaranteed salary, based on anywhere from 65 to 85 flight hours per month, with a higher rate of pay if the flight attendant exceeds the minimum hours. This amount varies depending on which airline you are with. Major carriers can pay from $18.00 up to $22.00 per flight hour, with regional and commuter airlines usually making somewhat less.

Some airlines pay by the trip or a flat monthly fee, no matter how many hours you fly. One positive feature of reserve is that you can fly a lot of good trips even if you don’t have a lot of seniority. And every day is different - no more 9 to 5 routine. And you can find the trips you may later want to bid for - reserve allows you to read the menu before you order, so to speak.

Reserve can be demanding, and your flexibility is of the essence. But if you are up for the challenge and want a fabulously exciting career, reserve can be the spark that will set off this wonderful and rewarding job.

Page 5. Flight Attendant Training 

Flight Attendant Express turnover can be high, due to the fact that many new flight attendants are disillusioned about and unaware of the unusual lifestyle of a flight attendant – it can be quite different from what they expected. However, many people are applying for these positions, hoping that it is glamorous and exciting, with the anticipation that they will be meeting many personable and interesting people. With the expectation that a sea of friendly faces will be greeting them when they board and airplane, they are in for a rude awakening the first time they realize that the grumpy passenger is a frequent flyer these days. The glamour of the flight attendant life is a common fallacy, so, in an effort to educate the unsuspecting flight attendant “wannabe”, there will be an attempt to paint a more realistic picture here.

Flight Attendant Sandy Stewart is awakened out of a dreamy reverie at 4 in the morning (0400) by crew scheduling, rewarding her with an all-expense paid trip to Baltimore, MD, from her home base of Dallas. The flight departs at 0650. She scurries into the shower, dons her uniform and grabs a quick bowl of cereal while applying her make-up – she must still look professional and cheerful despite the early hour. Grabbing her pre-packed flight bag, she heads for the airport – she must live within one hour of the airport. That’s just about all the time she has – she must check-in one hour before the scheduled flight time, which is at 0550!

When Sandy arrives at the airport, she must check in with crew scheduling. If she is even 5 minutes late, she will be written-up and replaced with another flight attendant. It is very crucial for a flight attendant to be on time for her flight, as the flight will be delayed if the number of flight attendants specified by the FAA are not onboard each flight. Sandy and her co-workers will attend a pre-flight briefing, going over emergency procedures before boarding the aircraft. Once onboard, they walk through the aircraft, checking all the emergency equipment for the right gauge readings, seals and proper storage. About 20 minutes before departure, the boarding process begins.

Her first flight is going to Baltimore. Passengers arrive bringing carry-on baggage and heavy, bulky coats, as the weather in Baltimore is cold. These bags and coats must be stowed in the overhead bins and under passenger seats before the flight is allowed to take off. Failing to comply with these strict regulations can result in heavy penalties for the airlines, so it is the flight attendants responsibility to ensure that these items are properly stowed. The passenger in seat 12B is arguing vehemently with one of the flight attendants about holding onto his oversized duffle bag, which clearly will not fit under the seat and must be checked in the cargo hold below. After a generous amount of coaxing and diplomacy on behalf of the flight attendant, the passenger finally agrees to let the bag go.

Sandy’s flight this morning to Baltimore arrives at 0855, and continues on to Hartford. Peanuts and 2 rounds of beverages are served to a packed airplane on the first leg, and on the short leg from Baltimore to Hartford, an entire plane of 115 passengers must be served. Screaming kids and brusque businessmen round out the experience, with a demanding woman in 36A asking for everything under the sun and not appreciating any of Sandy’s efforts! Upon arriving in each city, there is an aircraft swap, so all the crew must gather their belongings and scramble to get to the gate of their next flight, which is at the other end of their airline’s concourse. Then the whole process begins again, ending with a layover Hartford. That is the first day of the trip.

The second day of her sequence departs Hartford at 0755 am and arrives back at Baltimore at 0905 am. Her next flight departs for Orlando at 1020. Even though Sandy is now at her home base, she cannot go home – she only has time to get off the plane and make a quick phone call home. Her next flight goes on to Houston, laying over in Houston for 11 hours. All the flights are full of cranky travelers, weary of Disney World and anxious to get home. The third day of the trip goes from Houston to Cleveland, is on the ground for 3 hours and then departs for Salt Lake City, with a layover for 20 hours. The fourth day of the trip (think you’d be tired of this yet - if you do, the job of flight attendant may not be the one for you!) Sandy departs Salt Lake City for Seattle, then on to Ft. Lauderdale. Because of thunderstorms coming into Ft. Lauderdale, the flight is extremely turbulent. It is so bumpy that the final round of drinks must be served quickly. Several passengers have become airsick and the stench in the cabin is overwhelming - enough to make anyone nauseous! To make matters worse, the flight is delayed coming into Ft. Lauderdale and delayed again for 2 hours before they are able to depart, giving Sandy a duty day of 14 total hours before arriving in Orlando, her home base! Whew! She is off for 2 days before going back on-all again.

The next week, Sandy is just finishing up her 4 days on reserve. She had several flights the first three days, but on the fourth day she has not been called, and she spends the day at home catching up. She is glad she is scheduled off tomorrow – she is planning to go to a BonJovi concert with that special guy she met a couple of months ago. Things are really going well with their budding relationship and she is very much looking forward to the date. The phone rings. Sandy must answer it – she is still on call until midnight, but she’s not worried – it’s already noon, so they probably won’t need her today. The thinks it is probably a friend or maybe her Mom asking her not to forget about her brother’s birthday on Tuesday, and grabs the phone. OH NOOOOOOOOO! IT’S CREW SCHEDULING! A flight attendant on a three-day trip that departs tonight has called in sick and crew scheduling is calling to change Sandy’s days around. They promise her two extra days next week, but that doesn’t help Sandy very much – her concert plans for tomorrow have just gone up in smoke!

These are just some of the things that can and WILL happen when you are a flight attendant. However, there are many things that make this job a positive and very exciting experience, if you are flexible enough to withstand the craziness of it. You will most assuredly meet many interesting and important people during your flight career. I have met many celebrities, athletes and musicians, and have explored many parts of the globe that most folks never see. There is nothing that compares to an African safari, a tour of the L’ouvre or the Catacombs, the Pyramids or Stonehenge, not to mention seeing the wonderful US of A! You can go see your Aunt Sarah in Wyoming or your best friend Linda in New Jersey. All courtesy of your airline. You get complimentary or discounted travel on your own airline, and reciprocal discounts on other carriers. I once went to England for $150 round trip! You also have more time off than most other full-time jobs, and the salary goes up rather quickly with seniority. Most airlines also offer full benefit packages, complete with paid days off, insurance and 401K plans.

But the biggest benefit of all is walking through the airport terminal in uniform, with your wings on, head held high, pulling your wheeled flight bag, and having people look admiringly at you. Little girls will stare and tell their mothers, “That’s what I want to be when I grow up!” just as you once did!

Page 4. Being on Reserve

There is a mystique about the world of the flight attendant that has prevailed since the dawn of the first cabin attendants. This began in 1930, when Ellen Church became the first “stewardess”, for United Airlines, and women and men have been seeking this position with diligence ever since. The mere mention of the flight attendant job conjures up images of jetting away to an exotic Caribbean Island or spending a week skiing in the majestic Alps. Of course the job itself is not always glamorous, but most people do not possess the mobility of the flight attendant to see the world while they are still young enough to enjoy it. What is it about a flight attendant that makes little kids longingly stare and adults charmed and envious? Could it be the lifestyle and freedom to jet away to faraway places? The uniform? The star quality of these chosen few?

Maybe it is all these things, and more. I remember viewing a children’s program at about age 6, seeing the flight attendant standing in the doorway of a large airplane, wearing a military-looking uniform, with shiny wings on her jacket. How elegant and important she looked working on the airplane! I decided right then and there that this was what I wanted to be someday. To me, it wasn’t just a job – it was a life!

Initially, the first cabin attendants were men who helped maintain the integrity of the airplanes while swatting flies and lifting mailbags. Then in the 1930’s female attendants were hired as stewardesses or hostesses and worked on piston engine or propeller aircraft, such as the Curtiss Condor. Their duties included providing sandwiches and thermoses of water and passing out gum and cotton to provide comfort for passengers’ ears. These flight attendants originally were registered nurses, but this requirement was dropped in the 1940’s. The job was now considered glamorous and even though many young women wanted to become airline stewardesses, only a few were chosen. In those days when stewardesses got married, they were terminated.

By the 1960’s, men were on the job. United Airlines hired eight men from Hawaii to fly their Hawaiian routes. As a result of the influx of males from that point, Eastern Airlines created the job title of “flight attendant”. The job held wide appeal to men and women and it became commonplace for flight attendants to be male or female, young or older, married or single, any race, even parents. The salaries were beginning to climb - airline fever had claimed more lives!

Once you have “the fever”, it will be with you for the rest of your life; there is no cure, and anyone who has never experienced a flight attendant career will never comprehend just how powerful it is. Flight crews are very close comrades as a result of having this unique passion in common. There is a wide belief that the job is a daring and unusual dream experience; flight attendants are considered to be gutsy individuals who regard the world as their playground.

Of course, those of us who fly know that in reality the job is hard work, sometimes with long hours and grouchy customers. It is difficult to find the glamour in your job when you are down on your hands and knees in the galley, going through tray carriers looking for someone’s lower dentures they left on a tray! Or working a 14-hour day due to a mechanical delay. Or dealing with a planeload of airsick passengers during heavy turbulence. These things are all part and parcel of a flight attendant’s job. But the fun and excitement far outweighs these things, and I don’t know many flight attendants who would trade it all in for a nine-to-fiver!

The charisma has as much to do with the look of flight attendants as the places they travel. These sharply dressed men and women who serve you meals or beverages in the air seem to be the epitome of romance; what will they do when they are off duty - shop in Rome? Party in Frankfurt? Catch glass beads at a Mardi Gras parade? Tour the Pyramids or Catacombs? What celebrities do they commonly meet and what interesting stories could they tell about these people?

Each airline has a unique uniform, smartly tailored, complete with the airline logo and wings. Wings are earned, and flight attendants go to a lot of trouble to get them! Training is sometimes long and arduous. Flight attendant trainees must not only be strong and resourceful but intelligent, healthy and energetic to graduate.

Possibly the most important component of the aura of mystery surrounding the flight attendant is the fact that that which is difficult to obtain is often the most coveted. Not just anyone can become a flight attendant; thousands of flight attendant wannabes apply for these jobs every month, but few are chosen. Statistics show that on average, less than 10% of those who apply are selected for the job. What separates the people chosen from the ones left behind? That is part of the magic, and sometimes it is not something that can be even put into words. After meeting the requirements, applicants must convey a certain persona to the recruiter, and the recruiters are adept in discovering those who have what it takes.

No one can say for sure just what the charm of a flight attendant is. But I remember the look on a young man’s face on one of my flights. He was taking his first airplane ride and gazed up at me with wonder, and asked, “is this what you do for your job – meet people and fly to different places all the time? Kewl.”

Page 3. A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant 

The first flight attendants, 60 years ago, were nurses who swatted flies and served box lunches. The job description has changed greatly, even over the last twenty years; the “stewardesses” of today are not just beautiful jet setters living in luxury apartments with a lover in every city – they are safety professionals. Their duties can be daunting, and a great deal of the time these men and women consider the job neither glamorous nor sexy. The work is physically and emotionally demanding, with irregular hours, long days and being away from family and friends for extended periods of time, including weekends and holidays. The duties have also changed - no longer are they just purveyors of food and drink – now they may be called upon to accomplish much more. Today’s flight attendants may be called upon to assist customers with baggage, assist ill or handicapped customers, answer customer inquiries, and provide leadership and assistance during flight irregularities. And major security measures have been implemented.

The typical flight attendant of the new millennium may be a college educated, 35-year-old woman with a family, a former firefighter or police officer. More men have joined the ranks; age is no longer a barrier, and cultural diversity is encouraged. The average tenure of a flight attendant today is 10 years or more, and 25 years’ seniority is not uncommon. More mature flight attendants, who used to be unheard of, are now treasured employees; airlines are finding that they can be more reliable than their younger counterparts. Youth, beauty, gender and weight are not the important factors here. It is a welcome treat to find the employee who has had years of experience in problem solving and dealing with difficult situations. Airlines want to provide gracious and intelligent service for their customers, and the level of customer service experience one can bring to this job is highly valued. A person who can be “nice” to people, who is sharp, crisp and well groomed, with a mature and positive attitude, able to anticipate the needs of others is highly prized.

In general, the public is not becoming any friendlier; people are more demanding, entitled and downright rude at times, as self-control and frustration tolerance are at an all-time low. Flight attendants must now be masters at calming passengers and de-escalating hostility when the need arises. The airlines are also attempting to improve things by hiring more customer service-oriented candidates, who are seasoned in the art of handling difficult situations. They must be flexible and easy-going, and anyone who possesses a degree or a background in psychology is nowadays considered a hot property by airline recruiters and managers.

Flight attendants now take safety far more seriously than even a few years ago. As a precaution, to keep arms from flailing around during a perceived emergency, during take-off and landing many airlines instruct their flight attendants now to sit on their hands – a practice unheard of a few years ago. Instead of sitting on the jump seat reading a magazine or talking about their latest boyfriends, they now review emergency procedures and escape routes in their minds while seated for taking-off and landing. Emergency command drills and testing are now a large part of initial flight attendant training. Nowadays 95% of initial training is about safety issues and is not unlike a military boot camp. Training includes daily classroom lectures, home study, proficiency drills, and oral presentations, with training flights on the weekends. Topics covered include aircraft equipment familiarization on several types and series of aircraft, food and beverage service, hazardous materials, fire fighting, emergency procedures, water ditching in a raft, FAA requirements, first aid, cabin safety and company policy. There are tests every day and trainees must maintain a 85 - 90% average or they will be sent home. They are trained to handle medical situations, how to deliver a baby, perform CPR, defibrillate heart attack victims, and put out fires. Clearly, this is not a job for the faint hearted!

All things considered, the flight attendant has made some huge inroads and strides in the last 20 years. Racial, age and gender discrimination is no longer acceptable; we no longer have to “weigh-in” before we are hired or after we are out on the line; random drug testing and passenger screening are now de rigueur, which makes us feel safer, and employees are treated with more respect and fairness. Supervisors and administrators are beginning to encourage feedback from employees; they have become more approachable for problem solving and are focusing more on improving employee relations. There is generally a more casual attitude in the industry today, reflected in the dressing-down of the flight crews. Khakis, sneakers, sweaters, shorts and skorts are now worn in the skies, and many airlines are implementing immovable days off for reserve crewmembers. Crews are given more days off per month than ever before, and the salaries are becoming much more attractive. The flight attendant job is now considered more respectable, and finally, flight attendants are no longer the butt of sexist airline slogans!

There is really no better time to fly than the present! Contrary to the obsessive accident coverage by the media, flying is the safest form of transportation available today and certainly the most convenient. The flight attendant career is the only one for many free-spirited individuals who have so much to give to others. Truly they are winged angels, who sacrifice daily, but are rewarded tenfold, as flight attendants have the best job in the world!

Page 2. The Mystique of a Flight Attendant

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The Basics:

• A well-groomed, professional image
• Weight in proportion to height
• A mature, positive attitude, flexibility and pleasing personality
• Ability to relate to people of diverse cultures
• A high school diploma or GED
• Two year’s customer service experience or 2 years of college
• Able to speak fluent English; a second language is desirable
• At least 18 years old
• Vision correctable to 20/40 or better
• Clean background; airlines perform 10-year background check
• Valid passport
• Must be U.S. citizen or authorized to work with unrestricted U.S. entry/exit

SKYBOUND TRAINING IS THE ONLY TRUE FLIGHT ATTENDANT TRAINING SCHOOL CREATED AND TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS!

The United States government mandates that all U.S. air carriers train newly-hired flight attendants on their aircraft and procedures; however, with a typical failure rate of 30% in initial airline training, there is a definite need for preparation! Airlines will give you a great deal of information to learn in a relatively short time frame, making it a challenge to learn in the time allotted. You will not be able to work as a flight attendant until and unless you can pass their stringent training. Our program will teach you the FAA rules and other safety and emergency-related information that is universal, no matter which airline you go with, so that you can greatly increase your chances of successful completion of the airline training.

Wendy Stafford
Our President, is a former flight attendant with Delta and Eastern Airlines. She was Assistant to the Flight Attendant Base Manager at ATA in Orlando for 2 years and Flight Attendant Manager in the precertification process of a start-up airline. Wendy completed Flight Safety International’s FlightAttendant Recruiting program. She has a 12-year background in psychiatric nursing, developing and implementing self-esteem programs and facilitating wellness workshops. She is a graduate of the Lisa Maile Image Program in Winter Park, Florida. Wendy has been widely quoted, including comments in the best-selling book “Flying High - How JetBlue Founder and CEO David Neeleman Beats the Competition” by James Wynbrandt.

Detailed Job Awareness
It is important for a flight attendant to understand all about the job duties, salaries, responsibilities and lifestyle of a flight attendant. While this job is not for everyone, the rewards are great. We tell you what to expect in training, the downside of the job as well as the perks such as flight benefits and profit sharing.

Airline Abbreviations and Definitions
Flight attendant training can be like learning another language, but after learning the aviation terminology and abbreviations that all flight attendants need to know no matter what airline they work for, you will be much more knowledgeable about the industry and greatly increase your chances of success in flight attendant training.

Federal Aviation Regulations (F.A.R.’s)
Become familiar with rules all flight attendants must know well, and are standard to the industry. This section is the backbone of the flight attendant job and is a must for applicants new to the industry.

24-Hour Clock (Military Time) and Time Calculation
All flight attendants must be proficient in military time to the point that it is automatic. Calculating and understanding military time doesn’t have to be difficult; we teach you the easy way to learn military time and calculation, which is imperative for keeping track of your flight hours.

150 Predominant City Codes
Airlines typically give you many city codes to learn in a very limited period of time. The city codes for the most common destinations, both domestic and international, are taught in our program. The airline you work for will more than likely use many of these city codes, so by already knowing them when you go in, you will have a heads-up on the memorization process.

Decompression & First Aid
Decompressions and medical emergencies are among the most serious situations a flight attendant can encounter. We will give you insight on first aid procedures for the most common inflight injuries and illnesses and emergencies.

Security Issues
Security is a very important issue in today’s aviation world. Learn about aviation security issues every flight attendant must know and how to insure the safest and most secure conditions for passengers and crew.

Evacuation Procedures
Learn how flight attendants can evacuate an aircraft in the FAA required 90 seconds, in the dark, with half the exits working. Most inflight emergencies are survivable. Learn about planned and unplanned emergencies and what to do if things go wrong.

Safety Demos
All flight attendants must demonstrate the location and operation of safety equipment during each and every flight. You will have a chance to practice oxygen mask, safety card, seat belt and life vest demonstrations in class and learn the proper forms of presenting the information.

Preflight Checking and Operation of Emergency Equipment
Emergency equipment checks are a vital part of the flight attendant safety protocol. Learn how to operate equipment such as the oxygen bottles, fire extinguishers, smoke hood and more.

Aircraft Nomenclature Diagrams
Aircraft exits are labeled and referred to in a specific way. All flight attendants must learn the proper way of designating these exits.

Emergency Procedures
In any inflight emergency, it is the primary duty of the flight attendant to put basic procedures into practice in a rapid and efficient manner, so as to be able to direct passengers off the aircraft safely to prevent further injury and to save lives. These are procedures which flight attendants must know like the back of their hands and become automatic with extensive drilling during training.

Comprehensive Customer Service Proficiency
As experienced flight attendants, we strive to increase the applicant’s awareness of customer service skills through the use of role-playing techniques. The flight attendant is the front line for the company’s corporate image and the reason many people return for repeat business. This issue is finally being given the important attention it demands in today’s aviation venue!

F/A Interviewing and resume skills
We don’t want you to be alone in the interview process! We will teach you how to effectively showcase your qualifications to recruiters to get you noticed and hired! Learn about the preferred dress code, how to create an airline specific resume, how to market yourself effectively in your presentation and how to answer the most commonly asked airline questions, bringing your background into your answers. We practice with you through role-playing exercises and video-tape you so you can see how you conduct yourself in the interview.

Placement Assistance
As a successful candidate, you will have us work with you hand-in-hand to refer you to airlines; we will contact them for you and help you to set-up your interviews, giving the airlines a glowing recommendation. Give us a chance to help you “take-off” with your career!

THE ONLY TRUE FLIGHT ATTENDANT TRAINING SCHOOL CREATED AND TAUGHT BY EXPERIENCED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS!

Before You Go For Your Flight Attendant Career, Know That

• Airlines turn down 90% of all applicants.
• What sets us apart from other services is that we actually meet with you and provide you with the opportunity to interview directly with airline recruiters, some of whom come to our classes.
• All of our instructors are experienced flight attendants, not newly hired flight attendants or travel agents, like those of other programs.
• 20 – 40% of trainees do not pass airline training without preparation!
• We give you no gimmicks – just good, solid information to help you succeed in the interviewing process.

RECRUITER TESTIMONIAL - PSA AIRLINES
“Flight Attendant Express has some of the best candidates and we have taken numerous folks to work for our company. With the number of Flight Attendants we need for our airline we look to the school for their assistance. The training staff knows exactly what they need to make it through Flight Attendant training with the airlines. They teach them not only about airline procedures, but also how to dress and act in an interview.
Thank you to the staff of the school for caring enough to help these students get great jobs with the airline.”

Just Take A Look At Where Our Graduates Are Working Now.