Becoming a flight attendant is among the most exciting things people can do in the aviation world, and doing so fulfills many people’s lifelong dreams of traveling the world for a living. Starting a career as a flight attendant can feel intimidating, and many people wonder what to expect when they arrive at the training center.
Flight attendants play a critical position in maintaining the safety of flight, and they also play important customer service roles to make sure passengers are comfortable and happy throughout the flight. Training covers a variety of topics to satisfy all these requirements, and completing training successfully can be challenging. Airlines are aware of this, however, and make an effort to support and assist flight attendant hopefuls throughout class.
Basic Flight Attendant Requirements
Airlines often require flight attendant hopefuls to meet basic requirements. All must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. Many airlines give special consideration to applicants with post-secondary education or work experience in aviation or customer service.
Applicants must pass a background check and must be in good physical condition so they can move around, operate equipment, and be maneuverable in turbulence, and while the aircraft is taxiing.
How Long Does Training Last?
Programs vary slightly based on the company and fleet, but training can take anywhere from four to ten weeks. New trainees can expect a combination of classroom and simulator training in life-sized cabins, often located at the same training center where pilots do their own simulator training.
Some airlines send flight attendant applicants materials to prepare before they arrive at the training facility, such as announcements to learn and procedures to memorize. These procedures will be implemented into the in-person training accomplished by the airline.
Class usually runs for about eight hours per day. Class sizes may range from a handful to a few dozen, again depending on the company and fleet type in question. Bigger companies tend to need more flight attendants, and bigger airplanes require more regardless of airline size.
What Information Is Covered?
The most important items an airline must cover in flight attendant training are the safety requirements and the procedures for the operated aircraft. These are the most critical items that flight attendants must get right to ensure a successful flight and guarantee passenger safety.
Critical items include emergency procedures, evacuations and ditching, basic first aid, and security threats, as well as how to apply these topics to the specific aircraft type the flight attendants will operate.
Also included are cabin service and appearance standards; basic aviation terms such as airport codes, time conversions, and airline terminology; company policies, regulations, and bidding; and PA announcements.
How Much Do Trainees Get Paid?
Different airlines pay varying wages to flight attendant trainees. Some airlines have unpaid training, others provide completion bonuses, and some pay during the entire training period. SkyWest Airlines pays out 65 flight hours per month during training, while Endeavor Air gives trainees a monthly stipend. Mainline carriers tend to offer full pay during training, while low-cost carriers and smaller commuter airlines tend to pay less during training.
However, all airlines offer basic amenities, such as putting up all flight attendants in hotels near the training center. Trainees are also given transportation to the training center to begin work. Other benefits may also be conferred; many airlines offer trainee flight attendants flight benefits so they can travel to see friends and family during time off.
After training, flight attendants can make as little as $40,000 or upwards of $90,000 per year. In addition to company and fleet, company seniority also plays a role in flight attendant pay, as longer tenures tend to bring more pay.
How to Succeed During Training
Airlines want flight attendants who can handle the high workload of training. Being adaptable and focused will go a long way towards success. Equally, honesty and punctuality are critical traits that flight attendants must have.
Applicants who show up with pre-training packets studied, ask questions, and are ready to learn tend to be the most successful during training. Ultimately, though there is a lot of information to absorb during training, becoming a flight attendant is an attainable goal for anyone who sets their mind to it and offers an adequate amount of focus.
Flight attendant training can be long and challenging, but the payoff is rewarding. Many enjoy the thrill and excitement of traveling around the country and the world for work, and being able to help passengers so directly is an added benefit.
