- Home
- My Career Path
- Flight Attendants
Flight Attendants
Also called : Flight Attendant, In-Flight Crew Member, Inflight Services Flight Attendant, International Flight Attendant, Purser
What they do
Monitor safety of the aircraft cabin. Provide services to airline passengers, explain safety information, serve food and beverages, and respond to emergency incidents.
On the job, one would
- Verify that first aid kits and other emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers and oxygen bottles, are in working order.
- Announce and demonstrate safety and emergency procedures, such as the use of oxygen masks, seat belts, and life jackets.
- Monitor passenger behavior to identify threats to the safety of the crew and other passengers.
- Walk aisles of planes to verify that passengers have complied with federal regulations prior to takeoffs and landings.
- Direct and assist passengers in emergency procedures, such as evacuating a plane following an emergency landing.
KNOWLEDGE
- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Transportation
Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
SKILLS
- Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
- Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
ABILITIES
- Oral Expression
The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Speech Clarity
The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Speech Recognition
The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
PERSONALITY
People interested in this work, will do well at jobs that need;
- Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
- Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
TECHNOLOGY
- Calendar and scheduling software
- Computer based training software
- Office suite software
- Operating system software
- Presentation software
- Spreadsheet software
- Word processing software
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
- Preparation
Some Preparation Needed
- Education
High school diploma.
- Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed.
- Jobtraining
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.