Monday, December 1, 2014
Galley Gossip: Age, weight and height requirements for flight attendants (and why Christina Ricci could never be a Pan Am stewardess)
“In this male-dominated world, in that famously openly chauvinistic
culture, these women were really taking the reins and running their
lives in a way most women didn’t,” Christina Ricci said in an interview
with The Hollywood Reporter about her upcoming television show, Pan Am, a night time soap opera revolving around the lives of flight attendants and pilots in the 1960’s. Think Mad Men at 30,000 feet.
Christina Ricci has been cast to play Maggie, a head stewardess. What’s funny about this is Ricci wouldn’t have been hired to be a stewardess back in the day. At five foot one, Christina is too short. Pan Am required its stewardesses to be at least five foot two and weigh no more than 130 pounds. They also couldn’t be married or have children. On top of that the mandatory retirement age for flight attendants was 32. So even if Ricci had managed to squeak by Pan Am’s minimum height requirement, she wouldn’t have flown for long. The actress, born in February, is already 31 years old. With Pan Am scheduled to air in September, Christina only has five months to travel the world before being forced to hang up the uniform and retire. That’s not enough time to establish oneself as a head stewardess for a major airline. At my airline it takes six months just to get off probation! But back in the 60’s stewardesses averaged eighteen months on the job. A year and a half. By those standards, Christina Ricci would already be three-quarters of the way through with her career. Sad, but true.
Thankfully a lot has changed since 1960…
HEIGHT: Today US airlines have height requirements for safety reasons only. Flight attendants must be tall enough to reach overhead safety equipment. Typically flight attendants range between five foot three to six foot one. There may be a lower height restriction at some regional airlines where the aircraft type operated has a maximum height allowance of 5’10”.
WEIGHT: In 1990 all US airlines dropped weight requirements for flight attendants. The only requirement today is that weight must be in proportion to height. If a flight attendant can not sit in the jump seat without an extended seat belt or fit through the emergency exit window, they can not fly.
AGE: Most airlines have a minimum age requirement, usually between 18 and 21 years old. There is no maximum age limit. As long as a flight attendant can pass their yearly recurrent training, and does not have any health or physical problems that would prevent them from flying, they can continue to work for as long as they like.
NOTE: Foreign carriers still follow strict height, weight, and age requirements.
Christina Ricci has been cast to play Maggie, a head stewardess. What’s funny about this is Ricci wouldn’t have been hired to be a stewardess back in the day. At five foot one, Christina is too short. Pan Am required its stewardesses to be at least five foot two and weigh no more than 130 pounds. They also couldn’t be married or have children. On top of that the mandatory retirement age for flight attendants was 32. So even if Ricci had managed to squeak by Pan Am’s minimum height requirement, she wouldn’t have flown for long. The actress, born in February, is already 31 years old. With Pan Am scheduled to air in September, Christina only has five months to travel the world before being forced to hang up the uniform and retire. That’s not enough time to establish oneself as a head stewardess for a major airline. At my airline it takes six months just to get off probation! But back in the 60’s stewardesses averaged eighteen months on the job. A year and a half. By those standards, Christina Ricci would already be three-quarters of the way through with her career. Sad, but true.
Thankfully a lot has changed since 1960…
HEIGHT: Today US airlines have height requirements for safety reasons only. Flight attendants must be tall enough to reach overhead safety equipment. Typically flight attendants range between five foot three to six foot one. There may be a lower height restriction at some regional airlines where the aircraft type operated has a maximum height allowance of 5’10”.
WEIGHT: In 1990 all US airlines dropped weight requirements for flight attendants. The only requirement today is that weight must be in proportion to height. If a flight attendant can not sit in the jump seat without an extended seat belt or fit through the emergency exit window, they can not fly.
AGE: Most airlines have a minimum age requirement, usually between 18 and 21 years old. There is no maximum age limit. As long as a flight attendant can pass their yearly recurrent training, and does not have any health or physical problems that would prevent them from flying, they can continue to work for as long as they like.
NOTE: Foreign carriers still follow strict height, weight, and age requirements.
Sunday, November 30, 2014
History of Flight Attendants
Flight attendants have a long and changing history. When thinking of flight attendants, the term "stewardess" often comes to mind, with the name implying females. However, the history actually begins with those commonly referred to as cabin boys or stewards. These stewards originated in maritime travel and made up the cabin crew who were responsible for the safety and comfort of passengers. Sea ships from centuries back needed this personnel to help smooth away any problems that took place during travels. It was not until the early 20th century that airplanes began to employ similar stewards and later stewardesses that made up what we now call flight attendants.
The role of the first flight attendant is attributed to Heinrich Kubis of Germany in 1912. It was not until the 1920s that United States airlines began to employ male cabin boys on their flights. They would serve and attend to the needs of passengers. It would be a decade later before the first female flight attendant was employed. Ellen Church, a register nurse, took this position in history when United Airways hired her to be the first woman attendant. She started the trend of airlines hiring only nurses on their flights because they were thought to be better for tending to passengers suffering from injury or illness. The list of duties that most air hosts or hostesses perform today include general safety, customer service and comfort, food service, and assistance with baggage. Most flight attendants today are females, but there are males who perform those roles as well.
Training and qualifications for flight attendants vary by country or region, but encompass many of the same features worldwide. Training duration ranges from weeks to months and usually takes place near major airports for obvious reasons. Safety is a priority topic during training and can consist of a variety of extensive courses. Flight emergencies, evacuation procedures, firefighting, survival in different environments, first aid, and CPR training are just some of the numerous subjects for which they are trained. Various academies exist for training, or prospective employees may be trained through an airline directly. A certificate of completion is given out to new attendants who have gone through training. Knowledge of more than one language is a positive attribute for a steward or stewardess, especially for international airlines.
Uniforms have changed for cabin crew members throughout history. Since the start of a mostly or all female crew beginning in the 1930s, uniforms have undergone several transformations. First, the focus was on nurse's uniforms to promote the image of flights attendants as health and safety specialists on flights. Then, strict military lines promoting conservative values and the military heritage of stewards was emphasized. Later, this was replaced by softer, more feminine lines highlighting the glamour and excitement of flying.
Changes have been made to uniforms, gender, restrictions, and other facets of flight attending throughout history, but one thing has remained the same: safety is key. From the early 1920s onward, safety has been a chief concern of the cabin crew. Passengers know that they can count on flight attendants to keep them safe and happy on their travels across the world.
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
The role of the first flight attendant is attributed to Heinrich Kubis of Germany in 1912. It was not until the 1920s that United States airlines began to employ male cabin boys on their flights. They would serve and attend to the needs of passengers. It would be a decade later before the first female flight attendant was employed. Ellen Church, a register nurse, took this position in history when United Airways hired her to be the first woman attendant. She started the trend of airlines hiring only nurses on their flights because they were thought to be better for tending to passengers suffering from injury or illness. The list of duties that most air hosts or hostesses perform today include general safety, customer service and comfort, food service, and assistance with baggage. Most flight attendants today are females, but there are males who perform those roles as well.
Training and qualifications for flight attendants vary by country or region, but encompass many of the same features worldwide. Training duration ranges from weeks to months and usually takes place near major airports for obvious reasons. Safety is a priority topic during training and can consist of a variety of extensive courses. Flight emergencies, evacuation procedures, firefighting, survival in different environments, first aid, and CPR training are just some of the numerous subjects for which they are trained. Various academies exist for training, or prospective employees may be trained through an airline directly. A certificate of completion is given out to new attendants who have gone through training. Knowledge of more than one language is a positive attribute for a steward or stewardess, especially for international airlines.
Uniforms have changed for cabin crew members throughout history. Since the start of a mostly or all female crew beginning in the 1930s, uniforms have undergone several transformations. First, the focus was on nurse's uniforms to promote the image of flights attendants as health and safety specialists on flights. Then, strict military lines promoting conservative values and the military heritage of stewards was emphasized. Later, this was replaced by softer, more feminine lines highlighting the glamour and excitement of flying.
Changes have been made to uniforms, gender, restrictions, and other facets of flight attending throughout history, but one thing has remained the same: safety is key. From the early 1920s onward, safety has been a chief concern of the cabin crew. Passengers know that they can count on flight attendants to keep them safe and happy on their travels across the world.
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
Flight Attendant School - Start Your Challenging Career
Flight attendant school provides the necessary schooling for new wannabe flight attendants with specialized intensive teaching programs. If you would like to be a licensed crew member in the business of aviation you have to follow the classes of any certified airline steward school. Probably the most interesting aspect regarding a steward school is that you require specific skills and established physical and psychological requirements that candidates ought to meet. The policy for submission are extremely strict and no exceptions are allowed. You ought to know that a high level of teaching is not an significant asset for any future flight attendant career. Because of the fact that a flight attendant school shows students all the necessary information, the exclusively requirement to join is a baccalaureate diploma. A preceding profession experience is taken in consideration, especially if the knowledge is in customer services.
Only students who meet the flight attendant school profile are really eligible. Admittance is achievable if you have specified physical and mental skills. If you like to journey around the world and dislike routine, a airline steward career is for sure appealing, but this is not all you should do. Some of the challenges an applicant will encounter in a flight attendant school are:
Intensive training
As you necessitate special training to accomplish your duties as a airline steward, you 'll be trained certain methods and approaches in a short period of time. In order to be suitably trained you need to join this intensive training. The quantity of information you will be asked to learn might be at times mind-boggling. If you ever wish to graduate a flight attending school you must be well organized and to know how to arrange your time and energy.
Energy draining activities
Intensive practice has a important role for any hopeful flight attendant. If you are not sure you will be able to focus totally on your practice hours, there are big possibilities for you to be unsuccessful. The study period is extremely exhausting that 's why you 'll have to save your energy. To become a licensed flight attendant you 'll have to handle evacuation and rescue techniques. It is not sufficient to learn these techniques, in particular circumstances, you will have to put them into practice.
Prepare for the unusual
A great part of the licensed airline stewards found them self dealing with extreme moments. The huge pleasure that is earned by traveling to so many places goes along with the dangerous situations they have to confront sometimes. Flight attendants have to always be ready for unscheduled flights. You 'll definitely not have a 9 am to 5 pm job. Airlines organizations compel their personnel, especially their crew members to be flexible when it comes to their schedule.
Every airline steward school have developed professional preparation programs, since they know airlines organizations require positive and self-confident personnel. Client-oriented attitude and communication as well as linguistic skills are essential.
As airlines companies need well-trained personnel, they have developed their personal flight attendant school. This way graduated applicants will have knowledge of the specific needs of the corporation. If you consider tempting the duties of a airline steward, check the offer to become trained as a professional and take into account the first reference "love to fly".
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
Only students who meet the flight attendant school profile are really eligible. Admittance is achievable if you have specified physical and mental skills. If you like to journey around the world and dislike routine, a airline steward career is for sure appealing, but this is not all you should do. Some of the challenges an applicant will encounter in a flight attendant school are:
Intensive training
As you necessitate special training to accomplish your duties as a airline steward, you 'll be trained certain methods and approaches in a short period of time. In order to be suitably trained you need to join this intensive training. The quantity of information you will be asked to learn might be at times mind-boggling. If you ever wish to graduate a flight attending school you must be well organized and to know how to arrange your time and energy.
Energy draining activities
Intensive practice has a important role for any hopeful flight attendant. If you are not sure you will be able to focus totally on your practice hours, there are big possibilities for you to be unsuccessful. The study period is extremely exhausting that 's why you 'll have to save your energy. To become a licensed flight attendant you 'll have to handle evacuation and rescue techniques. It is not sufficient to learn these techniques, in particular circumstances, you will have to put them into practice.
Prepare for the unusual
A great part of the licensed airline stewards found them self dealing with extreme moments. The huge pleasure that is earned by traveling to so many places goes along with the dangerous situations they have to confront sometimes. Flight attendants have to always be ready for unscheduled flights. You 'll definitely not have a 9 am to 5 pm job. Airlines organizations compel their personnel, especially their crew members to be flexible when it comes to their schedule.
Every airline steward school have developed professional preparation programs, since they know airlines organizations require positive and self-confident personnel. Client-oriented attitude and communication as well as linguistic skills are essential.
As airlines companies need well-trained personnel, they have developed their personal flight attendant school. This way graduated applicants will have knowledge of the specific needs of the corporation. If you consider tempting the duties of a airline steward, check the offer to become trained as a professional and take into account the first reference "love to fly".
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
What You Need to Apply For Flight Attendant Openings
When you are looking for a job as a flight attendant, there are several
places you can look to find flight attendant openings. Since the major
employers in the air transportation business are airlines, you can check
the websites of the airlines to see if they do have a need for flight
attendants and are hiring. Some large corporations with private jets
also have need for flight attendants from time to time and they may post
the ads in magazines related to their business or to air travel. There
are also job search sites on the Internet where you can find postings
for flight attendant jobs. If you post your resume and cover letter to
these sites, when an opening comes up you will get an email alerting you
to the posting.
In order to determine whether or not you qualify for a flight attendant opening when it is posted, you do have to read the ad to find the qualifications that the employer is looking for in the applicants. The minimum level of education required by all airlines is a high school diploma, but this is just the minimum. Most of the flight attendants that are hired today have a college or university degree. Even though this education does not give you the training you need to work as a flight attendant, it shows the employer that you are willing to work hard in school to better yourself.
One of the major qualifications that you will need to be successful in obtaining a position as a flight attendant is exceptional customer service skills. You don't necessarily need to have experience in this area because it will come with practice once you start the training for the job. However, if you do have experience and have a good reference to attest to this, you have a better chance of getting the job. Many people don't even realize that they do have this experience and never put it on their resume because they think they should only list the skills that are related to other aspects of air travel. If you worked in any area in which you dealt with the public, you should list this on your resume as customer service.
Fluency in more than one language is one of the qualifications that will really make your application for the job stand out. Airlines fly all over the world and deal with customers that speak many different languages. Fluency in English is a requirement and unless you are fluent in English you will not get a job as a flight attendant in any English speaking country.
You do need to have a passport because of the different countries you will be flying into. You must also be neat in appearance, with no tattoos, visible body piercings or wear offensive jewellery. You must also be willing to relocate in some cases when you apply for one of the openings for flight attendants and of course, you must be willing to work shifts that will require you to be away from home for short periods of time.
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
In order to determine whether or not you qualify for a flight attendant opening when it is posted, you do have to read the ad to find the qualifications that the employer is looking for in the applicants. The minimum level of education required by all airlines is a high school diploma, but this is just the minimum. Most of the flight attendants that are hired today have a college or university degree. Even though this education does not give you the training you need to work as a flight attendant, it shows the employer that you are willing to work hard in school to better yourself.
One of the major qualifications that you will need to be successful in obtaining a position as a flight attendant is exceptional customer service skills. You don't necessarily need to have experience in this area because it will come with practice once you start the training for the job. However, if you do have experience and have a good reference to attest to this, you have a better chance of getting the job. Many people don't even realize that they do have this experience and never put it on their resume because they think they should only list the skills that are related to other aspects of air travel. If you worked in any area in which you dealt with the public, you should list this on your resume as customer service.
Fluency in more than one language is one of the qualifications that will really make your application for the job stand out. Airlines fly all over the world and deal with customers that speak many different languages. Fluency in English is a requirement and unless you are fluent in English you will not get a job as a flight attendant in any English speaking country.
You do need to have a passport because of the different countries you will be flying into. You must also be neat in appearance, with no tattoos, visible body piercings or wear offensive jewellery. You must also be willing to relocate in some cases when you apply for one of the openings for flight attendants and of course, you must be willing to work shifts that will require you to be away from home for short periods of time.
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
Top 10 Reasons To Become A Flight Attendant
That's how it happened for me. I have been in the industry for 9 years and I say go for it! Most people consider flying to be the safest, most convenient and fastest way to travel. As such, there has been a higher demand of workforce in the aviation industry. Now, if you are a fresh graduate and didn't consider joining the field before, it's not too late to change your mind. There are flight attendant training courses if you want to be ahead of your class when you get hired by airlines or you can do what I did. I applied and got in! I was armed with confidence, captivating smile and a good command of the English language. Don't forget good posture and reasonably acceptable height.
I can say that my flight attendant career feels more like a vacation than a job. Below are more reasons why you should choose to become a flight attendant.
BELONG TO A PRESTIGIOUS FAMILY. Did you ever stare at cabin crews before they embark on the plane? You can't help but turn your head and look. Why? You want to know if they're pretty or cute, right? You expect them to be. They have to be physically pleasant because you will be seeing them for the most part of your flight. The airlines allots a big chunk of its budget to conduct interviews, choose potential candidates, then, train and nurture them as flight attendants. During the interviewing process, primarily they are chosen for their looks, height and weight. Secondary is their communication skills. Thirdly is their work ethics. If you pass these three criteria, you will be honed to exude elegance and grace as projected by the airlines' image. You get to represent the company and have the responsibility to make a good impression. You get to be checked out every time you are wearing your uniform, so smile and be proud.
THE LIKELIHOOD OF ALWAYS BEING SLIM. You may have seen a few overweight flight attendants but I assure you, majority of us has the ideal body weight. For a 14 hour duty, we get to stand for 3 hours, walk and talk for 9-10 hours and sit for an hour or two depending on the passenger load. You can just imagine the workload and the physical strain we put through. It's like a 13 hour workout at the gym!
BECOME A FIRST AIDER. I'm sure you have experienced emergencies before, from a simple nosebleed to cardiac arrest. What did you do? Did you call for help? Did you give help? Or passed out? Don't be ashamed if you didn't know what to do. Giving first aid can be learned. One chapter will be devoted to teach you how to save a person's life in your career as a flight attendant. It will be very useful, not only when you are at work, but in every day of your life.
NOT A SWIMMER? Even if you are applying in one of the Middle East airlines where there are not too many bodies of water surrounding the area, it is still a must to know how to survive in the open water. In case your aircraft ditches, hopefully not, you are able to save yourself and your passengers. Again, this skill will be handy not only in your professional career as a flight attendant but also when you are in your Hawaii vacation.
FAMILIARIZE WITH AIRPORTS. So where do you go after you check in? No idea. Ask the ground staff who checked you in. Where do you go after the immigration? Again, you have no idea. Ask the immigration officer. You don't know which gate you are supposed to go. Ask one of the passersby wearing uniform. Great! You found it. So finally, you are settled with the right gate before boarding commences and with still the calmest composure to go to your flight. To achieve this smooth experience, it is recommended that you have to check in 4 hours before your international flight and 3 hours if you are flying domestic. But, as someone who is familiarized with the ins and outs of airports, I could check in 2 hours before my international flight and an hour and half if I'm going domestic. Or, you could be a frequent flyer who is traveling as frequent as flight attendant flies.
SUNRISE AND SUNSET AT 36,000 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. I bet that you have marveled when the sun rises or sets at beaches or mountain tops. But have you ever seen the horizon when you are at 36,000 ft high? It makes you think that life is beautiful and that you are blessed to be alive.
WON'T EVER PAY FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE. This is just our little secret but if you are a flight attendant you get this privilege. It pays to have the sweetest smile, apologetic face and a badge that shows you are a flight attendant.
LEARN FIRST CLASS SERVICE. If you are involved in the service industry, it pays to know how to deal with your customers the best way possible. You show professionalism and integrity in what you do. In effect, you elevate the company's image which makes you an asset and you mature as a service provider.
BE PAID ABOVE THE AVERAGE. Yes, the job is risky. Yes, the workload is heavy. It is because you will be paid handsomely. If you are able to manage stress and still hold on to your sanity, you are on your way to big bucks! The number one reason why you should become a flight attendant is YOU GET TO
TRAVEL FOR FREE. The places to see and explore are limitless. Many people are inhibited to travel because of the airfare cost and accommodation expenses. With you, just sign in for your flight, rest in the hotel after the duty, hop on a bus and see the world!
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
I can say that my flight attendant career feels more like a vacation than a job. Below are more reasons why you should choose to become a flight attendant.
BELONG TO A PRESTIGIOUS FAMILY. Did you ever stare at cabin crews before they embark on the plane? You can't help but turn your head and look. Why? You want to know if they're pretty or cute, right? You expect them to be. They have to be physically pleasant because you will be seeing them for the most part of your flight. The airlines allots a big chunk of its budget to conduct interviews, choose potential candidates, then, train and nurture them as flight attendants. During the interviewing process, primarily they are chosen for their looks, height and weight. Secondary is their communication skills. Thirdly is their work ethics. If you pass these three criteria, you will be honed to exude elegance and grace as projected by the airlines' image. You get to represent the company and have the responsibility to make a good impression. You get to be checked out every time you are wearing your uniform, so smile and be proud.
THE LIKELIHOOD OF ALWAYS BEING SLIM. You may have seen a few overweight flight attendants but I assure you, majority of us has the ideal body weight. For a 14 hour duty, we get to stand for 3 hours, walk and talk for 9-10 hours and sit for an hour or two depending on the passenger load. You can just imagine the workload and the physical strain we put through. It's like a 13 hour workout at the gym!
BECOME A FIRST AIDER. I'm sure you have experienced emergencies before, from a simple nosebleed to cardiac arrest. What did you do? Did you call for help? Did you give help? Or passed out? Don't be ashamed if you didn't know what to do. Giving first aid can be learned. One chapter will be devoted to teach you how to save a person's life in your career as a flight attendant. It will be very useful, not only when you are at work, but in every day of your life.
NOT A SWIMMER? Even if you are applying in one of the Middle East airlines where there are not too many bodies of water surrounding the area, it is still a must to know how to survive in the open water. In case your aircraft ditches, hopefully not, you are able to save yourself and your passengers. Again, this skill will be handy not only in your professional career as a flight attendant but also when you are in your Hawaii vacation.
FAMILIARIZE WITH AIRPORTS. So where do you go after you check in? No idea. Ask the ground staff who checked you in. Where do you go after the immigration? Again, you have no idea. Ask the immigration officer. You don't know which gate you are supposed to go. Ask one of the passersby wearing uniform. Great! You found it. So finally, you are settled with the right gate before boarding commences and with still the calmest composure to go to your flight. To achieve this smooth experience, it is recommended that you have to check in 4 hours before your international flight and 3 hours if you are flying domestic. But, as someone who is familiarized with the ins and outs of airports, I could check in 2 hours before my international flight and an hour and half if I'm going domestic. Or, you could be a frequent flyer who is traveling as frequent as flight attendant flies.
SUNRISE AND SUNSET AT 36,000 FT ABOVE GROUND LEVEL. I bet that you have marveled when the sun rises or sets at beaches or mountain tops. But have you ever seen the horizon when you are at 36,000 ft high? It makes you think that life is beautiful and that you are blessed to be alive.
WON'T EVER PAY FOR EXCESS BAGGAGE. This is just our little secret but if you are a flight attendant you get this privilege. It pays to have the sweetest smile, apologetic face and a badge that shows you are a flight attendant.
LEARN FIRST CLASS SERVICE. If you are involved in the service industry, it pays to know how to deal with your customers the best way possible. You show professionalism and integrity in what you do. In effect, you elevate the company's image which makes you an asset and you mature as a service provider.
BE PAID ABOVE THE AVERAGE. Yes, the job is risky. Yes, the workload is heavy. It is because you will be paid handsomely. If you are able to manage stress and still hold on to your sanity, you are on your way to big bucks! The number one reason why you should become a flight attendant is YOU GET TO
TRAVEL FOR FREE. The places to see and explore are limitless. Many people are inhibited to travel because of the airfare cost and accommodation expenses. With you, just sign in for your flight, rest in the hotel after the duty, hop on a bus and see the world!
The Essential Guide To Becoming A Flight Attendant
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