Flight Attendant Career PDF

TH2105 FLIGHT ATTENDANT AS A CAREER Flight attendants are members of the flight crew recruited by an airline to perform duties in an aircraft. They are also known as cabin crew, air hosts/hostesses, or stewards/stewardesses. Their role is to ensure safety, sec...

TH2105 FLIGHT ATTENDANT AS A CAREER Flight attendants are members of the flight crew recruited by an airline to perform duties in an aircraft. They are also known as cabin crew, air hosts/hostesses, or stewards/stewardesses. Their role is to ensure safety, security, and service (the comfort of passengers) for the duration of a flight (Law, 2019). History: The Flight Attendant Flight attendants were initially positioned on airships (a power-driven aircraft kept buoyant by a body of gas that is lighter than air). In March 1912, Heinrich Kubis was the world’s first flight attendant when he cared for passengers and served food aboard the DELAG Zeppelin LZ-10 Schwaben between Berlin and Friedrichshafen (Law, 2019). The working environment on an airship is different from that of an aircraft, which required its co- pilots to serve passengers food and drinks and control the airship. With the improvement in passenger air travel, the airlines began to reassess the responsibilities of attending to passenger needs. In the late 1920s, some airlines began to employ male flight attendants known as aerial couriers and cabin boys to assist passengers by storing their luggage, comforting nervous passengers, and helping people get on the plane. Men of small stature or teenagers were employed to provide these services because aircraft during the 1920s were relatively small. Britain Daimler Airways (an airline subsidiary of the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) ’s Daimler Company that ceased operations on April 1, 1924) hired the first male flight attendants, called “cabin boys,” in 1922 to assist passengers during its flights. The airline industry changed in 1930 when Ellen Church, a registered nurse who had taken flying lessons, was seeking a pilot position at Boeing Air Transport and was offered a job as a stewardess. On May 15, 1930, she was the first stewardess aboard a commercial flight from Oakland, California, en route to Chicago. Other airlines followed, and Swissair was the first European carrier to hire an air hostess, a woman named Nelly Diener, in 1934. During the early years, aircraft were noisy and uncomfortable because they were unpressurized. Passengers felt much safer and more comfortable with flight attendants on flights who are also registered nurses. In addition to serving meals, flight attendants were required to perform various other tasks, including the following: Welcoming passengers Punching tickets and giving refunds when necessary at each stop Weighing passengers’ baggage Loading and unloading baggage Securing that wicker seats (kind of seats used in the first passenger aircraft models) were bolted down Dusting the window sills Carrying buckets of fuel to the plane Swatting flies in the cabin Ensuring that passengers did not throw lighted cigarettes and open the emergency exit Mopping and sweeping the floor when necessary Adjusting the clocks and altimeters in the cabin Handing out chewing gum, blankets, and slippers on night flights Cleaning passengers’ shoes. Some of these duties are still carried out by flight attendants today. Many other airlines followed the idea of employing registered nurses as stewardesses for their service. Upon the outbreak of World War II, nurses were called to join the military, and airlines began to hire untrained women who were not nurses to become flight attendants. 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI 🖂 [email protected] Page 1 of 4  TH2105 In the mid-1930s, airlines only recruited single women and were terminated as they reached 32 or 35, or upon marriage. This policy was lifted in 1964 when legislation regarding gender discrimination was included in the provisions of the Civil Rights Act in the United States. Today, flight attendants have no age limitations, as long as they pass the annual training, medical examinations, and physical tests. Flight Attendants Today With the advent of larger aircraft, more passengers can be accommodated on a flight, and the roles of flight attendants have become even more significant. Positioning sufficient flight attendants on a flight is mandatory by regulations, and the in-flight service department has become one of the largest workforce sectors within an airline (Law, 2019). Beyond safety and abnormal/emergency procedures, cabin crew members must manage security-related events and medical situations and participate in the operator’s key management programs, such as safety management systems. Training should encompass all these aspects (Akhtar & Ward, 2020). According to the Air Charter Service (2019), flight attendant jobs are more complex, with safety briefings before each flight. The boarding particulars of special needs passengers or Very Important Persons (VIPs) are discussed, along with weather conditions and anticipated turbulence. Safety checks are carried out for onboard equipment, and any items not up to par are reported and rectified before take-off. Flight attendants have similarly complex procedures for onboarding passengers during a flight and when seeing passengers off a plane at their destination. Flight Attendants During Crises From the feminist movement (a series of political campaigns for reforms on women’s issues ) to the 9/11 attack to the coronavirus pandemic, the last 50 years drastically changed the role of flight attendants. Half a century ago, being a flight attendant may have seemed glamorous, but the industry was ripe with discrimination and sexism. While many flight attendants worked to overcome these issues, challenges remain in the industry, including depreciating pay and a lack of racial diversity. Studies have also shown that many flight attendants suffer from mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and stress. These are caused by various challenges such as job insecurity, unruly passengers, and off- beat work schedules. More so, in 2020, flight attendants faced new dangers on the job amid the coronavirus pandemic. There’s a real risk of infection since many are reporting to work despite the shortage of personal protective equipment. Over 100 American Airlines flight attendants, for example, have been diagnosed with the virus. Types of Airlines and their Flight Attendants All commercial airlines require flight attendants onboard flights as per aviation regulations. The flight attendants’ primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of all passengers onboard. Today, flight attendants are assigned additional duties providing passengers’ comfort. Airlines operate differently according to their business strategy, which can be classified under the following categories (Law, 2019): Full-Service Network Carriers (FSNC). These are international airlines, often called “flag carriers,” offering both intercontinental and domestic services. They offer full service to passengers, and their amenities are included in the prices of air tickets. Flight attendants on FSNCs can fly worldwide, and those assigned to long-haul flight duties often require staying overnight in cities in different countries. Flight attendants in this category also enjoy a full range of benefits, including an attractive pay scale and travel benefits. Low-Cost Airlines. These are also known as “no-frill” airlines that offer short-haul and medium-haul flights for international and domestic services. The majority of the flight attendants return to their 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI 🖂 [email protected] Page 2 of 4  TH2105 home base city at the end of their workday. Since many amenities are not included in the ticket, flight attendants sell in-flight meals, beverages, and merchandise. Flight attendants working for low-cost airlines generally receive fewer benefits than FSNCs and do not require staying overnight in other cities. Charter Airlines. These airlines do not operate with a fixed schedule and are often chartered by tour groups. The requirements for flight attendants depend on the chartered operations since the schedules are not fixed. In-flight services are similar to those of FSNCs, but the chartering party may amend these services. Some charter airlines employ temporary or seasonal flight attendants with short contract periods, usually two (2) to three (3) months, during high travel seasons. Flight attendants working for charter airlines receive limited benefits compared to those working for other airlines, depending on the terms of their contracts. Corporate and Private Jet Travel. This refers to a company or individual who owns and flies their aircraft as opposed to an airline. Flight attendants working for a corporation/individual fly to locations the organization/individual requires for their travel. The work schedule is subject to change with the company’s demand, and each trip may last for weeks. Due to the need for flexibility, the pay scale for flight attendants is relatively higher, and other benefits are offered. Roles and Responsibilities of a Flight Attendant The primary and most crucial role of a flight attendant is to ensure the safety and welfare of the passengers. Providing service to passengers is just their secondary role. Airlines often set higher recruitment standards for flight attendants as they are customers’ most visible service representation. Service cannot be separated from the person providing it. Thus, the quality of service offered by airline personnel affects customer satisfaction ratings. These ratings are becoming necessary measurements in airline choice as customers use them to evaluate and compare airlines for travel. This is why flight attendants play an essential role in maintaining an airline’s image and level of customer satisfaction (Law, 2019). Responsibilities of a Flight Attendant The following are the services given by flight attendants to passengers onboard. These services make up their secondary responsibility: Proactively assist passengers with the stowage (i.e., floor to above shoulder level) of carry-on bags, garments, and other belongings. Serve or sell food, beverages, and various other amenities following service standards. Keep cabin and lavatories tidy. Provide first aid assistance, which could include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), to ill or incapacitated passengers. Operate mechanical and safety equipment such as oxygen systems, aircraft doors, evacuation slides, fire extinguishers, life rafts, galley equipment, communication and audio/visual equipment, and lighting systems. Handle credit transactions for liquor sales and use of audio equipment. Interact in a professional and friendly manner with clients, coworkers, and customers of diverse backgrounds. Work with other crew members on a team to ensure all services meet company standards. Take responsibility and accountability for commitments and assignments. Display exceptional interpersonal skills, exercise good judgment, and can resolve conflicts with grace. Present a professional image, including a neat, well-groomed appearance described in the airline’s employee handbook (Flight Attendant Uniform Appearance Standards) because their physical appearance directly impacts a customer’s choice of airline when planning travel. Practice punctuality and maintain reliable attendance on the job. 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI 🖂 [email protected] Page 3 of 4  TH2105 Skills of a Flight Attendant Flight attendants typically enjoy working with people and have strong customer service skills. They also appreciate traveling and seeing new places and are comfortable working long or unusual hours. The skills that flight attendants need to succeed are the following: Attention to detail. Flight attendants must be attentive to passengers for problems or suspicious activities. They must also be meticulous when doing safety checks on equipment and people. Communication. Flight attendants should speak clearly and confidently when giving safety demonstrations and when interacting with passengers and crew. They should also be courteous and have good listening skills. Customer service. Part of a flight attendant’s job is providing hospitality. They should have a friendly and patient attitude when providing services to ensure passengers’ comfortable and positive flight. Strong stamina. Flight attendants often work long hours, respond to challenging passengers, handle heavy items such as luggage and service carts, and are on their feet frequently. They need to have strong stamina to last for the whole duration of the flight. Efficiency. Flight attendants must work quickly and efficiently to complete preflight tasks for an on-time departure. They must also perform in-flight services within the amount of time they will be in the air. Leadership. Flight attendants need to take charge and make quick decisions/solutions to unexpected problems that arise onboard and to guide passengers to safety during an emergency. Work Environment and Schedule Flight attendants may be part-time or full-time. They might work for commercial, corporate, regional, or international airlines. They work unconventional hours and schedules because airlines operate day and night, year-round, and on holidays and weekends. Most airlines ensure flight attendants work no more than 12 hours a day, but international flights may require them to work longer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires flight attendants to have at least nine (9) hours off between shifts. They often spend nights in hotels between flights and might be away from home for days at a time. Flight attendants spend part of their workdays in the air and part on the ground preparing or waiting for the next flight. When flying, they work in the plane’s cabin with other flight crew members. A flight attendant’s job can be stressful at times, as it involves dealing with difficult or anxious passengers, responding to emergencies and air turbulence, and being on their feet for long periods. References: Akhtar, A., & Ward, M. (2020, April 11). Take a photo tour of all the ways being a flight attendant has changed in the last 50 years. Retrieved August 17, 2021, from https://www.businessinsider.com/how-being-a-flight-attendant-has-changed-2019-5 Dileep, M. (2019). Tourism, transport, and travel management. Routledge. Indeed. (2021, August 11). Flight attendant job description: Top duties and qualifications. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/recruitment/job- description/flight-attendant Indeed Career Guide. (2021, August 12). Learn about being a flight attendant. Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/careers/what- does-a-flight-attendant-do Law, C. (2019). Flight attendant’s essential guide: From passenger relations to challenging situations. BrownWalker Press. Retrieved July 2, 2021, from https://rk1bukz.cf/book.php?id=a_ecDwAAQBAJ The Balance Careers. (n.d.). What does a flight attendant do? Retrieved August 11, 2021, from https://www.thebalancecareers.com/flight-attendant- 526020 United. (n.d.). Description of flight attendant job duties. Retrieved August 11, 2021, from https://unitedafa.org/docs/benefits/occ-flight-attendant-job- duties.pdf 04 Handout 1 *Property of STI 🖂 [email protected] Page 4 of 4