| Many young women and men aspire to become a | | | | also read a biography of Sir Richard Branson. |
| member of the cabin crew on a major airline. This | | | | If you haven't chosen a specific airline then you have |
| should come as no surprise when you consider the | | | | more options and you can search the internet for |
| many advantages of being a flight attendant. There is | | | | forums frequented by flight attendants from all kinds of |
| a recognized career path, good prospects for | | | | airlines. It can be illuminating to join forums used |
| promotion, on the job training, stop-over expenses, and | | | | exclusively by cabin crew and reading the discussions. |
| uniforms provided. In addition there's the social life and | | | | You could post questions about training and starting |
| camaraderie that is all part of being one of the team. | | | | your career but check the FAQ page if there is one, |
| Many of those who work together become friends for | | | | or the 'sticky' posts often at the top the forum. These |
| life. | | | | posts often contain answers to the most commonly |
| The glamor of air travel is also still an attraction despite | | | | asked questions from novices hoping to find hints and |
| the fact that some say the halcyon days of | | | | tips from those already in employment. |
| glamorous air stewardesses or hostesses attending to | | | | Having armed yourself with the basic facts about your |
| the first class passengers are long gone. There's still a | | | | chose airline or about the aviation industry and all |
| lingering air of being part of an elite with the frequent | | | | airlines generally you will probably be looking for some |
| trips abroad, the smart uniforms, and the chance that | | | | training. There are various companies that offer training |
| you might be serving drinks to celebrities that others | | | | courses for the aspirant. These range from one day |
| only read about in glossy magazines. | | | | courses held at an airport to online or distant learning |
| For these and other reasons there's never any | | | | modular courses. Look out for those that partner with |
| shortage of hopefuls signing up for training courses | | | | airlines and which have the endorsement of airlines. |
| and applying to airlines when they advertise of new | | | | Think about the skills that cabin crew need and ask |
| crew. So how can the aspiring attendant increase his | | | | yourself if you are up to the task of being trained. Do |
| or her chances of selection for interview? How can | | | | you have a natural aptitude for customer service? Are |
| you find out if you have what it takes? Below are a | | | | you enthusiastic about dealing with the many and |
| few pointers that should help you to save time and | | | | constant demands of passengers? They will be of |
| effort on your first steps into a career with the airlines. | | | | any age, temperament, culture, and physical ability so |
| A good place to start is to speak to any current or | | | | you must be prepared to treat everyone appropriately. |
| retired cabin crew. Perhaps you have a friend or | | | | You will also need to be able to keep calm in an |
| relative who could put you in touch with someone who | | | | emergency and to carry out your responsibilities |
| would be only too happy to pass on the benefit of her | | | | without hesitation. How do you react to a crisis? Do |
| or his experience. There's no better way to find out | | | | you faint at the site of blood? Could you cope with |
| about the advantages and disadvantages of the job | | | | severe turbulence? |
| itself and the various airlines than from someone who | | | | The demands placed on cabin crew are much more |
| has been there and walked the path. | | | | than a run of the mill job, but the rewards are there for |
| The next thing you could is some online research. If | | | | those who can meet the challenges and who have a |
| you've got your sights set on a particular airline then | | | | flair for this kind of work. You too could achieve your |
| you should acquire factual knowledge about that airline. | | | | goal of becoming a flight attendant and enjoy many |
| Wikipedia can be helpful but do not rely on this and | | | | years of a successful career. Use some of the ideas |
| check your facts. Read the corporate website and | | | | above the plan and prepare both for the training and |
| perhaps invest in a book about the airline or its founder. | | | | for interview selection. If you have done your |
| For example, if you aspire to work for Virgin Atlantic | | | | homework the interviewers will notice and will be more |
| then you might read the information available online and | | | | likely to select you as a candidate. |