A flight attendant, also known as steward/stewardess or air host/air hostess, is a member of the aircrew aboard commercial flights, many business jets, and some government aircraft.
Below is How To Become A Flight Attendant In Ghana
What does a flight attendant do?
Flight attendants are responsible for the safety and comfort of airline passengers.
They can work on either commercial or business aircraft. Before the flight, attendants receive information on the expected weather, travel time, and passengers’ needs. These attendants are the primary point of contact for passengers. They will answer questions, ease concerns, and communicate with the pilot as needed. Other flight attendant responsibilities include:
Assisting passengers with boarding
Helping passengers find their seats and stow their luggage
Monitoring passengers for suspicious behavior
Assisting those with small children or special health requirements
Educating passengers on the appropriate safety procedures
Securing the cabin for take-off and landing
Providing passengers with snacks, drinks, pillows, headphones and other comforts during the flight
Keeping passengers calm during turbulence or delays
Assisting passengers in emergency situations
Helping passengers safely deplane after landing
How to become a flight attendant
Complete your education.
Gain relevant work experience.
Prepare and submit your resume.
Pass your flight attendant interview.
Complete the airline’s training program.
Get your FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency.
1. Complete your education
To become a flight attendant, you need a minimum of a high school diploma or GED. Though not required, a bachelor’s degree can increase your employability. The most relevant degrees are those in marketing, hospitality, tourism, public relations, or communication.
2.Gain relevant work experience
Flight attendant jobs are highly coveted, and only the best candidates pass the initial interview.
Relevant work experience will strengthen your resume.
Many airlines require a minimum of two years of experience in hospitality, customer service, or sales.
Airlines look for work experience that proves you can spend long hours on your feet, work overtime, handle problem-solving and provide outstanding customer service.
3. Prepare and submit your resume
Prepare a strong resume that highlights your customer service skills.
Emphasize any professional or volunteer experience that helped you hone your ability to work with challenging clients. Highlight positions in which you were on your feet for long hours or worked overtime to demonstrate that you’re physically capable of meeting the demands of a flight attendant.
Top airlines may only open resume submissions for a few hours.
Have your resume ready to go so you can act quickly any time you hear about a job opportunity for flight attendants.
4. Pass your flight attendant interview
Prospective flight attendants must pass their interviews before they begin training.
This includes a drug test and background check. Flight attendants must be tall enough to reach overhead bins and have proportional height and weight. Your vision must be correctable to 20/40 or better, and you should be in excellent health.
Many employers use video interviews to screen potential flight attendants.
These may or may not be live.
If you’re completing a video interview, consider your surroundings carefully and make sure the background is neat and quiet. Place the camera at eye level and put it in a stable position so you have a clear, steady shot.
Conservative attire is best, as airlines prefer a professional image. Most have restrictions against facial piercings, visible tattoos, and unnaturally colored hair.
5. Complete the airline’s training program
Airlines provide a three- to a six-week training program for their flight attendants. You will typically attend training for eight hours a day throughout the duration of the program.
This training prepares you to use airport codes, make PA announcements, perform routine job duties and handle in-flight emergencies. You will complete around four supervised test flights as part of the program. You must successfully pass your training to become a flight attendant.
Most airlines require a minimum grade of 90%.
Get your FAA Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency
Once you’ve completed your training, your employer will apply for your Certificate of Demonstrated Proficiency from the Federal Aviation Administration. You must get a separate certificate for every type of aircraft that you’re certified to work with.
To maintain your certification, you must complete annual training.
How long does it take to become a flight attendant?
The training program for flight attendants is usually three to six weeks. However, it may take months or even years to get into one of these programs. This is a highly competitive field, and open positions usually fill up fast.
What qualifications do you need to become a flight attendant?
You can become a flight attendant with as little as a high school diploma. The most important qualities for a flight attendant are a courteous attitude, an efficient approach to problem-solving, attention to detail, stamina, professionalism, and outstanding customer service.
What’s a flight attendant’s schedule like?
Flight attendants often work erratic schedules, especially when they’re new to the job. Schedules are referred to as lines. Each month, flight attendants bid for a new line, and these are awarded based on seniority.
New flight attendants are often on reserve, which means they’re on call for any flights that need additional crew members and may have only hours to get to the airport and get on their plane.
Flight attendants on reserve usually have 10 days off a month, while those who are line holders can get 20 or more days off.
The length of each trip varies from a quick round trip, where you return immediately, to a two-, three- or four-day trip where you’re out of town for an extended period. The average layover is to 12 hours. Hotels are provided during layovers.