Traveling all around the world, meeting foreign cultures, enjoying a romantic atmosphere in the clouds. Which of these things come to your mind when you think about the profession of a flight attendant? Or maybe all of them?
Many people dream of working for airline companies though it always seems like something unattainable. It is known that the requirements for flight attendants are so high that few people are able to reach them. Even if you studied well at college or university (of course, with the help of an academic essay writer at EssayPro), it could not be enough to be hired for a position. Still, in this article, you will find out about the most crucial standards you must aim to correspond to.
Height and Weight
Even though the world is currently on a wave of body positivity, it does not work in this area. To become a flight attendant, one must have a particular height or at least be able to reach the top bar (maybe wearing high heels). Some companies define standards for their workers. For example, the requirements can look the following way:
- from 154 to 175 cm for women;
- from 173 to 185 cm for men.
The weight is calculated according to the formula: height in centimeters minus 100. It is necessary to understand that sometimes a flight attendant must move quickly around the cabin of the plane. As collisions with passengers are unacceptable, it is important to pass easily. Thus, slim people are preferred when hiring crew members.
Be Friendly and Helpful
First of all, one needs to understand that this job is not easy. And it relates to both the physical and moral sides. It involves communication with a large number of very different people.
Thus, you must learn how not to take issues to heart too much. Sometimes people get annoyed on a plane because of some personal reasons. And the flight attendant is often the one who becomes the last link in this chain. You just have to listen to the outrage about anything and try to keep calm.
Forget About Proper Schedule
If you are used to working eight hours a day, five days a week, then being a flight attendant may come as a shock. Why? There is no such thing as a stable work schedule. So you need to be ready for this. For example, one day you can take off at 5 in the morning. Another day it may happen at midnight. In such a case, only the ability to sleep during the day will save you. Still, you need to be punctual, stress-resistant, polite, and attentive to details.
Age and Marital Status
Be quick if you want to become a flight attendant. That means do not wait until you are a retired person seeking adventures. If you do not suit the age requirements, you might get a negative response. As a rule, airline companies give preference to candidates in age groups from 17 to 26 years. Likewise, marital status is subject to a more or less strict policy. In general, unmarried people have more chances, but some institutions also accept married workers.
Learn Languages
Sometimes, to be hired as a flight attendant, you do not even need a diploma from a high educational institution. A college diploma might be acceptable if you meet all the other requirements. But the point is to know as many languages as possible.
The job of a flight attendant is a constant process of communication. And the more people you can communicate with, the more opportunities are open for you. So if your plan is to become a crew member one day, you would better start learning foreign languages right now. And remember to give special attention to the professional vocabulary: conversations on the board, plane details, etc.
Lead a Healthy Lifestyle
Working as a flight attendant requires the absence of health problems. Flying regularly, changing time zones from time to time, and adjusting to climatic zones require endurance and high adaptation skills.
The state of health is usually assessed by a special commission. It is called a medical-flight expert commission. They approach the examination of vision with special attention. The cardiovascular and nervous systems also undergo special assessments.
Even though you will not fly into space, your health condition must be close to that of an astronaut. So, make sure you are very attentive to your body.
A psychological examination is also one of the stages. It is necessary to assess discipline, stress resistance, and organizational and communication skills.
Learn How to Provide First Aid
Each flight attendant must know what to do in an emergency situation. Even if there aren’t any, passengers often get sick. There are first-aid kits for general use on each board, so you must be a professional user of it. For example, if a passenger has a headache, stomach ache, or nosebleed, any flight attendant should be able to deal with it.
Sometimes if the situation is very dangerous, then the following announcement will sound in the cabin. If there are medical personnel on board, please contact the flight attendants. Usually, it is possible to find a doctor among the passengers.
Appearance
Apart from being careful with your health, you must also pay special attention to your appearance. Unfortunately, the profession of a flight attendant does not allow one to express oneself through a unique style of clothing or makeup. Everything is more or less uniform.
Air carriers often put forward requirements not only for the clothing sizes but also for other appearance parameters. For example, you must have no scars, birthmarks, or other defects on the face and those parts of the body which are visible.
Some companies do not allow any tattoos and piercings for their crew members at all. Others are more democratic – the requirements relate only to those body parts that are visible to other people.
Get Experience in Hospitality
Of course, to get a decent position, one needs to create a winning resume. And this rule works for flight attendants as well. If you can boast extensive experience in customer service, it will be a large plus in your resume. Telling your potential boss that you previously worked in restaurants, hotels, and other airline companies is the way to win their attention. It means that you learned how to easily deal with people and choose the right approach for everyone.
Examine the Values of the Company
Each company, including airline ones, has its values, rules, and mottos. Make sure to scroll through the company website, learn about its crew members, and try to get to know some of them. It would be a good idea to fly with them as a passenger to look at the atmosphere from the outside. This way, you could come up with some ideas on how to improve the work of the airlines.
So, make sure you are prepared for the interview and show your engagement. If all the above-mentioned requirements are not a big deal for you, feel free to apply as soon as possible. Moreover, try to send your application to different companies. It is better to have a choice instead of waiting for an answer from only one employer.