What flight attendants do on the job

The job of a flight attendant may be likened to that of a glorified waiter or waitress, but that’s far from it. Though there may be some element of glamour, the job still requires a heavy dose of patience, tact and spontaneity.
In fact, aspiring candidates should see it as a career in itself, or could use it as a platform to chart their career path, says Hilary Miranda director of airline training and placement centre, Inter-Excel Advisory Sdn Bhd.
“Flight attendants have room for advancement within the airline industry itself, and there is scope for them to branch into other fields. However, it also depends on an individual’s attitude and educational background,” he adds.
Inter-Excel’s trainer, Azuraini Abdul Aziz, showing her students the right way of carrying a bag during a preparatory lesson for flight attendants.
Contrary to what some might say, Miranda is keen on changing people’s perception of what a flight attendant does. He and his team are currently visiting schools, colleges and universities to give students a rundown of the job functions of flight attendants and members of the cabin crew.
It is not a dead-end job, says Miranda who pointed out that graduates could also apply to become flight attendants.
One could branch out to other areas within the industry, for instance, join the human resource department and become a trainer in the grooming department.
The job would require the trainer to guide fresh cabin crew recruits on the finer points of looking good, portray a professional image and presenting the right impression, while at the same time staying close to the qualities that make them compassionate and approachable.
Co-director Chong Siew Fong agrees that the scope for promotion is already charted for cabin crew if they perform their duties diligently. They can be become in-flight supervisors or even move up to become managers.
She adds that former flight attendants are very much sought after by hotels “because of the interpersonal skills they have”.
“They are also very much in demand in the high-end fashion sector and public relations because of their immaculate dressing, poise and communicative skills,” adds Chong.
Their ability to think spontaneously in an emergency and handle safety procedures, she says, are qualities that will hold them in good stead in any job.
A flight attendant, especially of a national carrier, Miranda adds, also plays the role of an “ambassador” as she deals with foreigners whose first impression of a country and people are formed by opinions they make of the cabin crew.
13/04/08 Tan Ee Loo/Malaysia Star, Malaysia