Flight Attendants, also known as Airline Stewards/Stewardesses, are primarily responsible for the comfort and safety of airplane passengers.

Job Duties 

Flight Attendants may:

Attend a briefing session with the rest of the crew concerning weather, route, and number of passengers

Check to see that food, emergency equipment, and other supplies are aboard

Greet passengers and help with coats and small baggage

Verify passengers' tickets

Record destinations and assign seats

Issue a general welcome over the plane's intercom

Demonstrate the use of emergency equipment such as oxygen masks and seat belts and indicate exits

Give passengers newspapers, magazines, pillows, playing cards, and blankets

Heat and serve prepared food

Sell alcoholic beverages

Heat baby bottles and baby food

Offer special assistance to unescorted children and elderly or disabled persons

Operate movie or music systems

Assist passengers to exit the plane

Complete reports and turn in money collected

The tools and equipment used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Flight Attendants may specialize in these areas:

352.367-010 AIRPLANE-FLIGHT ATTENDANTS, also known as Airline Stewards/Stewardesses, perform a variety of personal services such as serving food and drinks and explaining emergency procedures so that airline passengers may enjoy a safe and comfortable flight.

In addition to learning about these specialties you may find it helpful to explore the following Career Exploration Scripts :

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

One Flight Attendant on each flight supervises the work of other Flight Attendants on board. However, like all crew members, they all are responsible to the captain of the plane.

Flight Attendants spend most of their time in clean, comfortable airplanes passenger cabins. Other time is spent in and around airline terminals. Their work can be stressful and tiring. Short flights require quick service to all passengers. Poor weather can make serving drinks and meals difficult. Attendants stand much of the time and must remain pleasant and efficient at all times.

After flying for six months or longer, a new Flight Attendant may bid for a desired schedule. Schedules are awarded on the basis of seniority so that Flight Attendants with the most seniority are more likely to get the schedules they prefer.

Flight Attendants generally spend 75 to 80 hours per month performing flight duties. Nearly an equal number of hours per month are spent on the ground preparing planes for flight, writing reports following completed flights, and waiting for planes that arrive late.

They may have from 8  to 15 days off each month, but some of this may actually be spent away from the home base between flights. Because airlines operate continuously, Flight Attendants may work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Flight Attendants are required to wear uniforms while on duty. Uniforms are usually paid for by the Attendant the first year and by the airlines, at least in part, after that.

Flight Attendants may belong to The Association of Flight Attendants, or The Transport Workers Union of America. Association members must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Having business contact with people

• Traveling constantly

• Communicating information to others

You Should Be Able To:

• Keep calm/work under pressure, especially in emergency situations

• Perform a variety of duties which may change often

• Assume responsibility

• Put people at ease

• Demonstrate leadership ability and self-control

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

There are 50 passengers on the plane. Five of them would like pop, 15 of them would like coffee and the rest of the passengers would like water. How many waters would you need to prepare?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

You should be able to read and understand flight itineraries, emergency procedures manuals and medical aid books in the event that a passenger has a medical problem.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare a report/inventory indicating food and beverages served during a flight and how much will be needed to re-stock during your next stop.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in assessing needs of passengers and providing a comfortable and safe flight.

Most airlines prefer applicants with two years of college or business experience involving public contact. Flight Attendants on international flights may be required to know an appropriate foreign language.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OP PORT UNITIES

NOTE: A High School Diploma or Equivalent or a Certificate (program of up to one year of study beyond high school) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in this Career Exploration Script:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1300 ENGLISH , 1500 FOODS & NUTRITION , 1600 FOREIGN LANGUAGE , 1800 HEALTH & HEALTH CAREERS , 2200 MATH  , 2800 PUBLIC SPEAKING , 3000 SOCIAL STUDIES , 3100 STUDY & WORK OPTIONS

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this Career Exploration Script.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAM***

171 TRAVEL & TOURISM

Programs in Travel and Tourism provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment planning itineraries and arranging accommodations and other services for customers of travel agencies, airlines, ship lines, and other carriers.

Courses vary from school to school but may include:

         Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

  ***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this Career Exploration Script.

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

Please check the Military website at  http://www.myfuture.com .

TRANSPORTATION SPECIALISTS

The military constantly moves passengers and cargo. Personnel often travel to meetings, training sessions, and new assignments. Supplies and equipment to support troops must be shipped regularly. Transportation specialists plan air, sea and land transportation for people and cargo. Some assist passenger travel as gate agents and flight attendants.

What They Do

Transportation specialists in the military perform some or all of the following duties:

• Arrange for passenger travel via plane, bus, train, or boat

• Arrange for shipment and delivery of household goods

• Find the least expensive and most direct shipping routes for cargo

• Prepare transportation requests and shipping documents

• Check in passengers and baggage before boarding military transport flights

• Serve as military airplane flight attendants

• Inspect cargo for proper packing, loading, and marking

Training Provided

Job training consists of 6 to 9 weeks of classroom instruction, including practice in making transportation arrangements. Course content typically includes:

• Planning transportation for personnel and cargo

• Proper cargo handling, shipping, and storing methods

• Analysis of transportation documents

Further training occurs on the job and through advanced courses.

Helpful Attributes

Helpful school subjects include mathematics, English, and typing. Helpful attributes include:

• Interest in arranging travel schedules

• Interest in using adding machines, computers, and typewriters

• Interest in serving people

Civilian Counterparts

Civilian transportation specialists work for airlines, shipping firms, and commercial freight lines. They perform duties similar to military transportation specialists. Civilian transportation specialists may also be called travel clerks, reservation clerks, or transportation agents.

Work Environment

Transportation specialists usually work in offices. They may work outdoors when escorting passengers or processing shipments. Flight attendants work on land and in airplanes.

Opportunities

The military has about 11,000 transportation specialists. The services need new specialists each year. After job training, they make travel and shipping arrangements under direct supervision. Some may specialize as flight attendants and gate agents. With experience, they may become supervisors of other transportation specialists. In time, they may manage transportation offices.  

    E-Learning Courses and Programs

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Some jobs at airline terminals, such as ticket agent, may give some idea of the work involved. Postsecondary programs in travel and tourism may offer opportunities for experience. Opportunities to explore or gain experience may be available in a branch of military service also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Flight Attendant employer

internships

volunteer work with a Flight Attendant employer

community service work with an agency

Individuals who wish to become Flight Attendants should apply directly to the personnel departments of airline companies. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Flight Attendants vary according to the size of the airline company, extent of unionization, actual number of hours flown, type of flight (domestic or international), and type of aircraft to which the attendant is assigned.

Generally, international air carriers pay the highest wages, followed by domestic air carriers. Local and intrastate carriers usually pay the lowest wages. Monthly (about 75 hours) earnings for Flight Attendants in mid 2006 were:

The median monthly earnings of "all" workers in the U.S. were $2,821 in 2005.

Flight Attendants receive extra (incentive) pay which is earned for hours flown over a specified monthly minimum. Most Flight Attendants receive an allowance for cleaning uniforms and payment of expenses such as meals, lodging, and transportation when away from their home base. Many Flight Attendants also receive periodic cost-of-living increases

.

Most airlines offer Flight Attendants hospitalization, disability, life, and dental insurance; pension plans; paid vacations; free or reduced fare for air travel available to Flight Attendants and their families; and sick leave.

Advancement opportunities are limited. Some Flight Attendants may transfer to related jobs in other departments, such as flight service instructors, customer service director, recruiting representative, or other administrative positions. Experience and a good work record are the most important factors in advancement.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 102,500 Flight Attendants were employed in 2004. Employment of Flight Attendants is expected to increase about as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2014. Growth in the size and income of the U.S.  population is expected to increase the number of airline passengers. Airlines usually enlarge their capacity by increasing the number and size of planes in operation.

Since federal aviation administration safety rules require 1 Attendant for every 50 seats, more Flight Attendants will be needed. In addition to openings arising from growth, some openings are also expected each year as Attendants retire, die, or transfer to other lines of work.

Competition for jobs as Flight Attendants is expected to remain very keen, because the number of job applicants is expected to exceed greatly the number of job openings. The glamour of the airline industry and opportunity to travel attract many applicants.

Flight Attendants are assigned to a particular home base depending on seniority and personal preference. These home bases are generally in large cities which are on the main routes of the various airlines. Nearly 60% are stationed at the main airline bases in Chicago  , Dallas , Los Angeles , Miami, New York , and San Francisco .

Michigan  has less than a proportionate share of the total number of Flight Attendants. About 2,825 Flight Attendants are employed in Michigan . Almost all of them worked in the Detroit metropolitan area.

Openings will occur as Attendants transfer to other jobs or occupations. Competition for jobs will be keen because of the many fringe benefits associated with this occupation. Only a small percentage of the many applicants will be selected. Opportunities will be best for those with two years of college and experience in dealing with the public.

MICHIGAN   'S EMPLOYMENT OUT LOOK TO 2012

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SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL  INFO RMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

Copyright © 2006 Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth