Stewardess as a career?

Question

My daughter is considering being an airline stewardess - currently a jr. in high school. Anyone have advice as to pursuing this as a career option, best way of going about it and pros/cons of this type of career field...thanks!

So...I got the flight attendant concept...but it really doesn't help me understand how to get into the field.

How about this? Is there a height requirement? What about schools? Is a 4 year degree really a requirement to become a flight attendant?

Answer 1

Start calling them flight attendants. I called one a stewardess once and got a DIRTY look.

Answer 2

There are benefits and negatives to the first years of being a flight attendent. First and foremost you need to look online with each major carrier. Under their career links- there are usually hotels or conference centers that show the nearest interview centers. These are mass interviews. So basically hundreds of people are placed in a conference room and given information. If you are still interested they do individual interviews that last about 10-15 minutes.

After that you are notified usually by mail if you have been chosen. At this point you must contact their hiring center for an interview. They usually fly you to one of their major "hubs" (for example American Airlines may fly you to Dallas). At this point you usually have a more intesive interview. And once again you are notified either by mail or phone if you have been chosen.

If you are chosen- this is the hardest part- you must go to their "school" for 6-8 weeks (typically) depending on the carrier it is sometimes non paid as you must go through intensive testing. (from FAA rules and regs to CPR to now Homeland Security knowledge). During this training you are given room and board.

Around the fifth week you are usually told where you will be located. These are the airlines major hubs. Depending on the airline you can request which hub. However this is something that you may want to really review because when you first start out you may be "on call" and have any influence over your schedule. For example if located in San Diego it may take 5-6 years to have a permanent schedule while if located in Detroit it may only take 1 year. This of course is only examples.

The other thing your daughter must contend with is that FAA rules only allow so many flight hours- and these ONLY start once the door to the plane closes to when it opens. So being stuck in an airport does not include hours. So if she wanted or needed a part time job...that may be hard. The other thing is that you are responsible for buying your own uniform- the airlines will take some money from your paycheck to pay for this so it doesnt hit too hard. Finally, you really need to be part of the union and there are dues there.

The first few years of flight attending is very difficult financially for these reasons and the girls/ guys will try to fight the costs by having 5-6 rent an apartment or house. Sometimes it is only a 2 or 3 bedroom but since no one is hardly there at the same time privacy is not an issue.
The other thing is that you do see the world or country to some extent- but it is not like the movies. For example in one day you could go to the Hawaii but not see anything but the airport- unless you have a long layover (which does happen occasionally).

In any case flight attending is a hard job and anyone who choses to pursue this career needs to recognize that it is not glamorous traveling like that. You live out of a suitcase and are always on the go. However it can be a very fun job.

My best advice would be for your daughter to at least pursue her degree in either a 2 or 4 yr program to look into other options. IF after that she still wants to pursue Flight attending- to realize that she is going to be in the financial situation that she can give up an apartment/home, animals, car, bills, etc.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

My sister has been a flight attendant for Southwest for at least 10 years. She is only 4'8".This makes me think there is no longer a height requirement. I do know she has always worked another job as she flies only about 2 days a week. She doesn't have a degree other than an esthetician license that I am aware of. I have another friend who is an attendant out of Tahiti and she makes decent money, but she is gone ALL the time.

Answer 4

I know I might get some flack for this, but stewardesses, or flight attendants, are nothing more than glorified waitresses.Yes , they have some additional training in first aid, emergency situations,, etc, but 99.9% of the time they are just waiting on people.They pay is not great, it takes several years to get decent pay, and I am sure those 14 hour flights are not easy.

Answer 5

to be successful in this career your daughter will need to get a degree from a four year college, the type of degree doesnt really matter but she'll need a degree to be considered to be put through the stewardess academy. Airlines all have their own private schools where they train their own and require different things.

Answer 6

I believe that they prefer airline attendants now, but it is actually a pretty good career. I have a friend who does it and she gets to see a better part of the country and other countries for free.

The pay is good and the benefits are also. I believe they have a union.

The downsides are that you are gone for long periods at a time which doesn't lend to a stable family life, but other than that, it's a pretty solid and stable industry.

Answer 7

First of all she will change her preference a n umber of times before she leave her home. Second, it is a decent profession, allowing mainly youngsters to go around the world, see other places, meet people

Answer 8

Nature of the Work --
Major airlines are required by law to provide flight attendants for the safety of the traveling public. Although the primary job of the flight attendants is to ensure that safety regulations are followed, attendants also try to make flights comfortable and enjoyable for passengers.

At least 1 hour before each flight, attendants are briefed by the captain—the pilot in command—on such things as emergency evacuation procedures, coordination of the crew, the length of the flight, expected weather conditions, and special issues having to do with passengers. Flight attendants make sure that first-aid kits and other emergency equipment are aboard and in working order and that the passenger cabin is in order, with adequate supplies of food, beverages, and any other provided amenities. As passengers board the plane, flight attendants greet them, check their tickets, and tell them where to store carry-on items.

Before the plane takes off, flight attendants instruct all passengers in the use of emergency equipment and check to see that seatbelts are fastened, seat backs are in upright positions, and all carry-on items are properly stowed. In the air, helping passengers in the event of an emergency is the most important responsibility of a flight attendant. Safety-related actions may range from reassuring passengers during rough weather to directing passengers who must evacuate a plane following an emergency landing. Flight attendants also answer questions about the flight; distribute reading material, pillows, and blankets; and help small children, elderly or disabled persons, and any others needing assistance. They may administer first aid to passengers who become ill. Flight attendants generally serve beverages and other refreshments and, on many flights, heat and distribute precooked meals or snacks. Prior to landing, flight attendants take inventory of headsets, alcoholic beverages, and moneys collected. They also report any medical problems passengers may have had, the condition of cabin equipment, and lost and found articles.

Working Conditions --
Because airlines operate around the clock and year round, flight attendants may work nights, holidays, and weekends. In most cases, agreements between the airline and the employees� union determine the total daily and monthly working time. Scheduled on-duty time usually is limited to 12 hours per day although some contracts provide daily actual maximums of 14 hours, with somewhat greater maximums for international flying. Attendants usually fly 65 to 90 hours a month and, in addition, generally spend about 50 hours a month on the ground preparing planes for flights, writing reports following completed flights, and waiting for planes to arrive. They may be away from their home base at least one-third of the time. During this period, the airlines provide hotel accommodations and an allowance for meal expenses.

Flight attendants must be flexible, reliable, and willing to relocate. However, many flight attendants elect to live in one place and commute to their assigned home base. Home bases and routes worked are bid for on a seniority basis. The longer the flight attendant has been employed, the more likely he or she is to work on chosen flights. Almost all flight attendants start out working on reserve status or on call. On small corporate airlines, flight attendants often work on an as-needed basis and must adapt to varying environments and passengers.

The combination of free time and discount airfares provides flight attendants the opportunity to travel and see new places. However, the work can be strenuous and trying. Flight attendants stand during much of the flight and must remain pleasant and efficient, regardless of how tired they are or how demanding passengers may be. Occasionally, flight attendants must deal with disruptive passengers. Also, turbulent flights can add to possible difficulties regarding service, including potential injuries to passengers.

Working in a moving aircraft leaves flight attendants susceptible to injuries. For example, back injuries and mishaps can occur when opening overhead compartments or while pushing heavy service carts. In addition, medical problems can arise from irregular sleeping and eating patterns, dealing with stressful passengers, working in a pressurized environment, and breathing recycled air.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement --
Airlines prefer to hire poised, tactful, and resourceful people who can interact comfortably with strangers and remain calm under duress. Applicants usually must be at least 18 to 21 years old, although some carriers may have higher minimum-age requirements. Flight attendants must have excellent health and the ability to speak clearly. All U.S. airlines require that applicants be citizens of the United States or registered aliens with legal rights to obtain employment in the United States.

Airlines usually have physical and appearance requirements. There are height requirements for reaching overhead bins, which often contain emergency equipment, and most airlines want candidates with weight proportionate to height. Vision is required to be correctable to 20/30 or better with glasses or contact lenses (uncorrected no worse than 20/200). Men must have their hair cut above the collar and be clean shaven. Airlines prefer applicants with no visible tattoos, body piercing, or unusual hairstyles or makeup.

A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement. However, airlines increasingly prefer applicants with a college degree and with experience in dealing with the public. Applicants who attend schools and colleges that offer flight attendant training may have an advantage over other applicants. Highly desirable areas of concentration include people-oriented disciplines such as psychology and education. Flight attendants for international airlines generally must speak a foreign language fluently. For their international flights, some of the major airlines prefer candidates who can speak two major foreign languages.

In addition to education and training, airlines conduct a thorough background check as required by the FAA, which goes back as many as 10 years. Everything about an applicant is investigated, including date of birth, employment history, criminal record, school records, and gaps in employment. Employment is contingent on a successful background check. An applicant will not be offered a job or will be immediately dismissed if his or her background check shows any discrepancies.

Once hired, all candidates must undergo a period of formal training. The length of training, ranging from 3 to 8 weeks, depends on the size and type of carrier and takes place at the airline�s flight training center. Airlines that do not operate training centers generally send new employees to the center of another airline. Some airlines may provide transportation to the training centers and an allowance for room, board, and school supplies, while other airlines charge individuals for training. New trainees are not considered employees of the airline until they successfully complete the training program. Trainees learn emergency procedures such as evacuating an airplane, operating emergency systems and equipment, administering first aid, and surviving in the water. In addition, trainees are taught how to deal with disruptive passengers and with hijacking and terrorist situations. New hires learn flight regulations and duties, gain knowledge of company operations and policies, and receive instruction on personal grooming and weight control. Trainees for the international routes get additional instruction in passport and customs regulations. Trainees must perform many drills and duties unaided, in front of the training staff. Throughout training, they also take tests designed to eliminate unsuccessful trainees. Toward the end of their training, students go on practice flights. Upon successful completion of training, flight attendants receive the FAA�s Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency. Flight attendants also are required to go through periodic retraining and pass an FAA safety examination to continue flying.

After completing initial training, flight attendants are assigned to one of their airline's bases. New flight attendants are placed on reserve status and are called either to staff extra flights or to fill in for crewmembers who are sick, on vacation, or rerouted. When they are not on duty, reserve flight attendants must be available to report for flights on short notice. They usually remain on reserve for at least 1 year, but, in some cities, it may take 5 to 10 years or longer to advance from reserve status. Flight attendants who no longer are on reserve bid monthly for regular assignments. Because assignments are based on seniority, usually only the most experienced attendants get their choice of assignments. Advancement takes longer today than in the past because experienced flight attendants are remaining in this career longer than they used to.