How to Become a Flight Attendant

How to Become a Flight AttendantBecoming a flight attendant can be a challenge due to the fact that the job is one with many rewards. Flight attendant positions are highly sought after, especially due to the fact that there are a limited amount of major airlines and a limited amount of positions. Flight attendants can have difficult and often hectic schedules, but they are rewarded with opportunities to see the world at little to no cost. Not only do flight attendants travel all across the globe every day, but they can also often travel for free. Flight attendants usually gain perks based on seniority and often they can choose their own home base where they want to live.

What Does a Flight Attendant Do?
$37,740
High School or GED
None
Moderate-term
90,500
0%
(200)
Find Related CareersSOURCE: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

If you’ve ever been on a flight, you may feel as though a flight attendant does not do much. This could not be further from the truth. As noted in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, there are a multitude of things that a flight attendant is responsible for, including the safety of their passengers and the care of the interior of the plane. Flight attendants go through rigorous training protocols to make sure that they can enforce airplane standards while still keeping a cheerful and pleasant attitude.

Flight attendants also need to be trained in what to do should an emergency occur or something go wrong. There are also certain physical standards that flight attendants need to meet: they need to be at least 18 and they must be a certain height. There are also weight restrictions and health restrictions, and flight attendants need to be able to lift a certain amount of weight over their heads so that they can manage things in overhead compartments. Flight attendants will also need either a GED or a high school diploma to qualify for the training.

How to Become a Flight Attendant

The actual duties of the job are learned through training after acceptance, but actually getting hired can be a difficult process. Becoming a flight attendant usually involves enlisting into a training program, such as the Delta Flight Attendant Training. These programs are very robust and many people do not complete them. The training itself has a waiting list, and once a prospective attendant is selected they will usually need to fly to a specific location to complete the training, leaving their home and their family behind.

All of these things together mean that this is a very rewarding position that nevertheless requires a lot of sacrifice. Flight attendants will need to receive a special certification before they are allowed to perform duties as a flight attendant, and often they will undergo simulation training before they are allowed to actually be employed on a plane.

Advancing as a Flight Attendant

A flight attendant, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, will usually make about $37,740 a year. Advancement throughout the career is not usually determined by education or even by merit but rather by seniority. The longer a flight attendant stays with the airline, the more perks they will gain. Perks will include higher wages but also better hours and the ability to choose routes before anyone else does.

There are certain routes that are more preferable. Flight attendants, as they progress through their career, will need to spend less time in the air and will be able to stagger their time more effectively so that they can manage their schedules better. Overall, becoming successful as a flight attendant is about dedication and perseverance. Senior flight attendants will often be in charge and will often be responsible for the training of new recruits. Sometimes they will even be responsible for recruiting new hires and scheduling the other flight attendants.

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