We Honor Flight Attendants for Their Commitment to Professionalism and Passenger Safety
When you talk about flying, you automatically think of pilots. Just as important to the safe and efficient operation of an airline are the maintenance and support personnel, and of course flight attendants.
Flight attendants are primarily there for your safety. Recent events have highlighted the importance of their professionalism in performance of their duties, getting passengers safely evacuated from airplanes that were upside down, or on fire.
I have friends who work as flight attendants for major airlines, and I wanted to acknowledge and salute them this month as we honor women in aviation. One of them has graciously agreed to respond to some questions I emailed her, giving us some insight with regards to what the job is really like.
Thank you for participating in our salute to Flight Attendants. Before we start, do you prefer to remain anonymous when I post your answers/stories?
I would prefer to remain anonymous.
And do you prefer I do not mention the company you work for?
I’m currently employed for the last 25 years for a low-cost carrier.
What do you like most about being a flight attendant?
My time off, haha. My job is extremely flexible. I can work as little as I want or pick up extra flying if I need more hours. I can move trips around and have a week or 2 off every month if I want. I bet you thought I was going to say traveling but yes I do like that too. If I have a long overnight, I like to explore the city I’m in and I also like traveling on my time off.
What do you find to be the most challenging part of the job?
Rolling with the punches, literally sometimes. Actually, I rarely ever have problems with passengers. Sometimes I have more problems with co-workers that don’t want to do their jobs. Sometimes they are lazy, or they complain about everything. You have to be extremely flexible and realize that delays happen, Mother Nature has her ways, gate changes are part of the process and ground time is part of the job.
Describe the hiring process.
Whoa, my brain doesn’t go back that far, lol. It’s totally different now, but I went to a job fair, do they even have those now? I submitted a resume, and then was called for a group interview. I think they were actually paying attention to how we reacted to each other. If we were kind, stand offish, if we participated in the activities. We shared our backgrounds and were asked a couple questions. Then I was called for a one on one. I just remember being asked if I was willing to move to another city and of course I said yes.
What was covered in your initial training, what were the biggest challenges, and how long did it take?
Training for us back in the day was 2 months and we didn’t get paid for it. Now it’s down to a month and they get paid. It was definitely intense. I had to share a room with another girl who had served in the Army, and she said it was harder than boot camp. It was definitely more mental. We had 1-2 tests a day and you had to get 90% or better. And if you failed 2 tests you were sent home. Also, you couldn't be late for class or chew gum. Your outfit or your makeup could get you sent home. We called the trainers the body snatchers. Your classmate would be there one minute and when you came back their desk and everything was gone. But then again this was 25 years ago so I’m sure things have changed. I do know they don’t have to share rooms anymore.
Describe the recurrent training?
Recurrent training for flight attendants happens once a year. We have to complete about 15-20 modules on the computer every year. After each module there is a test that you have to get 90% or better. There is also a classroom day where you have to pass more tests, CPR, evacuation drills, firefighting procedures, emergency procedures, security and I’m sure I’m forgetting a bunch more. Ask me again in September when I have to attend lol. It is a dreaded day by many, but it feels so good after completion to be a Flight Attendant for another year.
Describe the working environment with regard to crew interaction with one another and the interaction with pilots.
As far as being on the plane, we all introduce ourselves and the positions we are flying. We’re supposed to get a crew briefing from the captain including information regarding the weather, turbulence and any maintenance issues. Sometimes we get a different set of pilots every leg and don’t really get to know them. Back in the day we used to fly with the same ones for the whole trip and usually make plans as a crew to grab a bite to eat or explore that city. That doesn’t happen too much anymore and I could kind of blame Covid for that. We were forced to be isolated and kinda got in the habit of doing things on our overnights solo. I’ve made some really good friends from this job. But I’ve also flown with people that I’d rather not work with again. They go on my NFL (no fly list) And that’s the flexibility of this job, I can trade into or out of a trip as long as another one is available.
What do you find to be the most annoying thing that you consistently encounter when dealing with passengers?
Drunk passengers. A pilot can’t willingly transport a drunk passenger, yet we serve alcohol on the plane. I really don’t think alcohol should be served on a plane, but I guess it brings in too much revenue.
I also hate being physically poked or touched. Please use your words, lol. All you have to say is excuse me or use the call button.
What do you find to be the most rewarding part of the job?
Nobody likes having a medical emergency, but I honestly feel most rewarded when I can help someone who is not feeling good. We are trained and have medical equipment on board that will help us get through most situations. We also have a headset that we can be patched through to a doctor to assist us and we always page for medical assistance. Being locked in a metal tube at 30,000 feet can be scary for most people and it’s very rewarding helping people stay calm and have a safe fight.
What would you most like for your passengers to understand?
If I get injured putting your bag up in the overhead bin, I am not covered. As I mentioned before that I don’t get paid while I’m on the ground, so I’m not covered if I get injured doing that. It’s actually not required for us to put your bag into the bin. I can assist you but if you can’t even lift it or help, I’m checking it.
What was the most annoying thing a passenger has ever said or done on a flight you were working?
You would think after 25 years I would have a ton of stories…. I usually let things roll off and don’t sweat the small stuff. I’ve been called many things for just trying to do my job, I don’t make up the rules but unfortunately I have to follow them.
But one annoying thing is when people say, “Well the bag fit on the last flight,” or “they let me (insert whatever) on the last flight.”
My response is usually “I’m sorry but today’s flight is # so and so, and I’m so sorry that it’s not the same flight.
What altercations/unruly passengers have you had to deal with?
I had an older man pee in my galley. I’ve had to separate 2 ladies that were arguing like kindergarteners. I’ve also had my luggage stolen.
What was the funniest thing that ever happened on one of your flights?
It’s probably not the funniest but the cutest thing was when I got to hide an elf on the shelf for a family. The expression on the little boy’s face when he found it in his seat was priceless.
What advice would you give someone wanting to become a flight attendant?
It’s tough at first but it keeps getting better and better. Everything from your pay, to trips, to the time off you’ll get, your quality of life improves the longer you’re in it.
What advice do you wish someone had given you at the beginning of your career?
You’re an informer not an enforcer, as long as you’ve told them once, you’ve done your job and don’t take things personal. The job is never going to change so just accept it for what it is.
If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself just before you began your career as a flight attendant?
Stay in school and become a doctor!
But seriously, it may not be as glamorous as you think but you’re going to see so much of the world.