2 answers
Connor
Student
Glide, Oregon
3
Questions
Asked
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What would a normal shift for a flight attendant look like?
I have been interested in a ton of careers and jobs that are all pretty different and this is one of them. How many flights do you do in a day? What are the things you do for passengers while on a flight?
2 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1361
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Connor on a daily basis, flight attendants assist passengers to ensure that they have a great travel experience all the way from boarding to disembarking the aircraft. Connor you can expect to spend 65-85 hours in the air, and an additional 50 hours preparing the airplane, processing passengers during boarding and performing post-flight procedures. Typically, flight attendants work 12-14 days a month. A typical day would include:
PRE FLIGHT MEETINGS - Before any flight, crew members meet to discuss the flight schedule and trip details. They also receive instructions from management on their specific assignments and shift roster.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - As a flight attendants you'll give detailed safety instructions to passengers about the aircraft they are on while demonstrating the procedures where necessary to ensure all passengers adhere to safety measures before takeoff and in preparation for landing.
CABIN SERVICE - Among other tasks that ensure the comfort of passengers, members of the cabin crew take orders and provide meal service in-flight.
FLIGHT CHECKS - Flight attendants conduct regular safety checks. These include ensuring passengers fasten their seat belts, closing storage compartments, and checking that beverage carts and tray tables are in safe position.
While it is possible to become a flight attendant without experience, you must meet specific skills and educational requirements to qualify Connor. As 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.
Hope you found this helpful Connor
PRE FLIGHT MEETINGS - Before any flight, crew members meet to discuss the flight schedule and trip details. They also receive instructions from management on their specific assignments and shift roster.
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS - As a flight attendants you'll give detailed safety instructions to passengers about the aircraft they are on while demonstrating the procedures where necessary to ensure all passengers adhere to safety measures before takeoff and in preparation for landing.
CABIN SERVICE - Among other tasks that ensure the comfort of passengers, members of the cabin crew take orders and provide meal service in-flight.
FLIGHT CHECKS - Flight attendants conduct regular safety checks. These include ensuring passengers fasten their seat belts, closing storage compartments, and checking that beverage carts and tray tables are in safe position.
While it is possible to become a flight attendant without experience, you must meet specific skills and educational requirements to qualify Connor. As 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.
Hope you found this helpful Connor
Your advice was so helpful!
Connor
Dr Fisch
Flight Attendant
19
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Hi Connor. Great question and John had a great answer. However, I am a flight attendant and just finished a trip, so I can tell you firsthand what generally happens. Keep in mind though that even though most airlines work similarly, they do sometimes differ in procedures and work rules.
The first thing to do is either check-in to your flight if you're starting a new trip, or meet with your crew in the hotel lobby if this is not the first day of your trip. The check-in or "lobby time" is very precise -- you cannot be late! There are quick social exchanges with your crew members. Perhaps you worked with one of them before. Often you have not. You find out which crew members will be with you for your entire work trip and which may only be with you for a day or maybe even just one leg.
Once on the airplane, you stow your bags and look over the paperwork that has information about your flight: crew member names, flight duration, passenger list and specifically those with special needs like a wheelchair, etc. The captain will inform the crew about the route the aircraft will fly and if any weather or turbulence is expected.
Each flight attendant needs to then do their equipment and security checks before boarding can start.
While boarding, each flight attendant helps passengers get situated.
After boarding, the cabin crew secures the galleys and makes sure everything is in compliance before pushing back from the gate.
After pushing back from the gate, the safety briefing is shown.
During the flight there is a cabin service. Drink are served along with a snack or meal.
The cabin needs to be prepared for landing and again everything needs to be in compliance before landing.
As passengers deplane, we say our goodbyes to them.
There may be just one long flight in a day or sometimes up to 6 or possibly 7 short ones in a single day. The difference depends on which airline you work for and if you're flight just domestically (usually shorter flights) or internationally (usually longer flights).
When done with all the flights, if it's the last day or your trip, you can go home almost immediately after all the passengers deplane off your last working flight. If it's a multi-day trip (which can be between 2 to 6 days straight), you'll go with your crew to a hotel that is paid for by the airline. Transportation is also already arranged for you.
In the hotel, that's your free time. That can be as short as 10 hours or as long as a few days. You can choose to hang out more with the crew to share a meal or drinks, you can choose to explore the city, or you can just chill out in your hotel room. Just be sure you're there at lobby time before starting the next work day!
The first thing to do is either check-in to your flight if you're starting a new trip, or meet with your crew in the hotel lobby if this is not the first day of your trip. The check-in or "lobby time" is very precise -- you cannot be late! There are quick social exchanges with your crew members. Perhaps you worked with one of them before. Often you have not. You find out which crew members will be with you for your entire work trip and which may only be with you for a day or maybe even just one leg.
Once on the airplane, you stow your bags and look over the paperwork that has information about your flight: crew member names, flight duration, passenger list and specifically those with special needs like a wheelchair, etc. The captain will inform the crew about the route the aircraft will fly and if any weather or turbulence is expected.
Each flight attendant needs to then do their equipment and security checks before boarding can start.
While boarding, each flight attendant helps passengers get situated.
After boarding, the cabin crew secures the galleys and makes sure everything is in compliance before pushing back from the gate.
After pushing back from the gate, the safety briefing is shown.
During the flight there is a cabin service. Drink are served along with a snack or meal.
The cabin needs to be prepared for landing and again everything needs to be in compliance before landing.
As passengers deplane, we say our goodbyes to them.
There may be just one long flight in a day or sometimes up to 6 or possibly 7 short ones in a single day. The difference depends on which airline you work for and if you're flight just domestically (usually shorter flights) or internationally (usually longer flights).
When done with all the flights, if it's the last day or your trip, you can go home almost immediately after all the passengers deplane off your last working flight. If it's a multi-day trip (which can be between 2 to 6 days straight), you'll go with your crew to a hotel that is paid for by the airline. Transportation is also already arranged for you.
In the hotel, that's your free time. That can be as short as 10 hours or as long as a few days. You can choose to hang out more with the crew to share a meal or drinks, you can choose to explore the city, or you can just chill out in your hotel room. Just be sure you're there at lobby time before starting the next work day!
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