Flights are often very full and there's rarely an open seat. Most flight attendants say that they can pretty much forget about traveling on holidays and weekends. Single flight attendants with freedom in their schedule and those with pre-school kids not subject to a school regimen are the ones most likely to enjoy this perk.
Keagle has, saying that "I really did want the adventure of travel and I flew internationally for 10 years. My 7-year-old has been so many places, like London and Paris, especially in the off season. The most important role for flight attendants is passenger safety and getting them from point A to point B. Serving them snacks and drinks is much further down their list of responsibilities.
Poole notes that a waiter or waitress has one job, which is to serve food. Meanwhile, "I'm expected to wait on a seat 'table. If anything goes wrong at 30, feet, it's just me and my coworkers. I can't just untie my apron and leave. The most common event for flight attendants are medical emergencies, especially passengers who pass out, says Walsh. There might be doctors, nurses or EMT's on a given flight, but often, it's up to the flight attendants to help a distressed passenger.
They haven't eaten or drunk anything before the flight, or they might be diabetic. In most cases, agreements between the airline and the union determine the total monthly working time. Flight attendants must be present for check-in to crew scheduling and briefing at least one hour before flight time. If the flight leaves at 5 A. In addition to flight time, about hours a month duty time between flights are required. When flight assignments require overnight stays in cities away from home base, hotel accommodations and travel allowances for meal expenses and transportation are provided.
This expense money is paid in the form of per diem Latin for, "by the day". Flight attendants receive an amount set by the airline for each hour they are away from their home domicile. New flight attendants have to clock up time, filling in for other flight attendants who are ill or on vacation.
This means working less popular routes and working on short notice. Flight attendants frequently have between 12 and 18 days off per month and over a years time, average about days off. The average office worker has 96 days off and, works eight-hour days. Of course, days off are not necessarily at home, buy many flight attendants use these days as mini vacations.
Depending upon seniority, the flight attendant may be directed by a senior flight attendant or may direct the work of a junior flight attendant. You may bid for flights, but the final assignment is determined by seniority. The longer the flight attendant has been employed, the more likely he or she is to work on chosen flights.
Domiciles and routes worked are bid for on a seniority basis, and almost all flight attendants work on a reserve status on call at one point in their career. In addition to performing flight duties, flight attendants sometimes make public relations appearances for the airlines during career days at high schools, fund raising campaigns, sales meetings, open house and interview sessions, conventions, and other goodwill occasions.
Reserve After finishing initial training, flight attendants are assigned to a base or domicile of the airlines choice. New flight attendants are placed on reserve status and are called on either to staff extra flights or fill in for attendants who are sick or on vacation. Reserve flight attendants on duty must be able to report for flight on short notice.
Flight attendants usually remain on reserve for at least one year; at some cities it may take five years or longer to advance from reserve to permanent status. Reserve means that you are on call. New hire flight attendants are put on reserve for up to one year.
Ready Reserve: Ready reserve means that you are required to work standby at the airport. Other names or slang terms for ready reserve include Airport Alert and Flying the Couch. Routine Duties Are as Follows Pre-flight Duties Take part in a pre-flight briefing by the captain with the entire flight crew to learn about expected weather conditions, special passenger problems, etc. Check seat belts, seat backs and tray tables Screening passengers for carry-on limitations Verify destination and direct passengers to seat assignments Ensure that carry-on luggage is stored in accordance with compliance regulations Ensure passengers are fully compliant with all Federal Aviation Regulations Check supplies, safety equipment and the public address system Assist the handicapped, elderly and children pre-board planes Check passenger cabin and galleys before passengers board to see that all supplies, safety equipment, and food are on board and in place Greet passengers Help passengers stow carry-on luggage and coats Check that passenger seat belts are fastened Ensure that passengers are in observance of "No Smoking" signs Make announcements over public address system regarding weather, altitude, estimated flight time, etc.
Demonstrate use of safety equipment In-flight Duties In-flight duties keep flight attendants on their feet most of the time. These are typical requirements and may vary per airline. Requirements are set high to maintain a high quality of service. Age: Typically, applicants must be at least 18 to 21 years of age. Some carriers may have higher minimum age requirements. Minimum heights are required to reach overhead bins and vary per airline.
Vision may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Men must have their hair cut above the collar and be clean shaven. Women can have short or long hair. If hair is long, it is usually required that it is pulled back off of the face.
Both men and women should have well manicured hands. Airlines generally will not hire, or allow any applicants and employees to have visible tattoos, bizarre hairstyles or makeup, or body piercings. Every airline administers a pre-employment physical by an appointed physician to verify that you are an acceptable candidate and that you meet their physical requirements.
The physical will include a drug screening. Language: Excellent language and communication skills are essential. Applicants must use good grammar and speak clearly with a pleasant voice. Often during the interview process, applicants are asked to demonstrate basic abilities. Languages spoken will vary depending on the airline.
US airlines require that you speak English fluently. Applicants who desire to fly internationally generally must be fluent in a foreign language such as French, Spanish, German or Japanese. Bilingual applicants are desired and, may help increase chances of initial employment with domestic carriers, and may be required by some airlines. Citizenship: All United States airlines require that you are a US Citizen or registered alien with legal right to obtain employment in the United States.
Also, you will be required to have a social security card. Personality: Applicants must be poised, mature, emotionally stable, confident, outgoing and good conversationalists. Interpersonal skills and professionalism are very important. Experience: Applicants should have previous experience in a position with public contact, customer service or in the hospitality industry.
Some airlines will overlook a lack of customer service experience if you have a college education. Relocation: Applicants must be willing to relocate to the base the airline is hiring for. After a certain period of service, flight attendants may have an opportunity to request a transfer.
Work Hours: Flexibility and reliability are usually the most paramount qualities of all applicants. Once hired, flight attendants must be able to work flexible hours. Flight schedules and flying assignments may include nights, weekends, holidays, extended hours, overnights and layovers. Miscellaneous: Must successfully complete a 10 year security background check as required by the FAA.
Other employment must be scheduled around reserve or flying assignments. Applicants are sometime asked to show and maintain a valid passport and have the right to travel freely in and out of the US without restriction. Employment with another airline is prohibited. Must be able to work in confined spaces of the aircraft and galley.
Must be able to stand for long periods of time in order to cater to the needs of passengers. Background Check: Airlines conduct a thorough background check required by the FAA which goes back as many as ten years.
Virtually everything about you is investigated including your date of birth, place of birth, criminal records, school records, previous employment and gaps in employment. Employment is absolutely contingent upon a successful background check. You will not be offered a position or, you will be immediately dismissed if your background check shows any discrepancies.
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Education: Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent. Today, many airlines prefer a college degree. Advanced degrees are often helpful when pursuing a management or supervisory position. Some schools and colleges offer flight attendant training that may give a candidate some advantage over other applicants.
However, these graduates are usually required to complete an airlines own training program. Therefore, it is advisable for the candidate to check with the airlines for their policies regarding prior training. Some flight attendants may prefer to log lots of flight hours, while others prefer shorter trips with more days off. Some attendants may travel to their home-base airport and commuting is a consideration when choosing trips.
Attendants who live close to their home-base airport may work more flights than those who must drive or fly to their home airport. New flight attendants typically work a reserve schedule and must be close to the airport, or sometimes wait at the airport for a call to duty. Senior flight attendants enjoy more flexibility in their schedule and choice of destinations. Both roles enjoy the same travel benefits with about 12 days off per month. Flight attendants on reserve schedule remain available 24 hours a day and typically work flights rejected by senior staff, which can cause long legs or layovers.
Depending on the airline, new attendants can expect to work at least 18 reserve days and remain on a standby schedule for a few months or years, depending on the airline or home city. Line holders bid for desired routes or workdays and can swap or drop trips. Bidding for trips begins at the same time each month, and flight attendants can choose their schedule according to their preferences.
Line holders can work up to 25 days a month, although individual airlines may cap the number of hours attendants can work. Flight attendants may receive their schedules at the beginning or end of the month, and at least two weeks before their first assignment. The schedule, or roster, contains all the information the flight attendant needs to know about each leg. Their schedule also lists additional information such as the attendant's accommodation information and transportation details to and from the airport.
Schedules also provide coded information for:. When flight attendants are new, they may first work on a reserve or standby schedule. As flight attendants gain time and experience, they become senior flight attendants who have access to more desirable schedules or routes. Senior flight attendants can request schedules according to their desired destinations, days off or layover times.
Some airlines may provide systems so they can swap flights with another attendant or find coverage for a trip. Airlines cover the cost of meals and accommodations for flight attendants who travel overnight or longer. Once flight attendants receive their schedules, they know how long their layover is and where they are staying.
A flight attendant's regular paycheck also may include food allowances. Technically, flight attendants are no longer on the clock once the plane reaches its destination. A flight attendant's official duty time begins when the plane pushes from the gate until it arrives at its destination.
Preflight, boarding, post-flight, delays and layovers are not official duty time so attendants can use layover time as they wish. As people progress from junior to senior flight attendant, working for the same airline over time may come with benefits.
Here are four benefits of earning flight attendant seniority:. Find jobs.
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