When I was growing up, they were stewardesses, and they had a
party hearty reputation that stuck despite all the hard work
they did. Today, the word 'stewardess' is out of fashion, and
flight attendants are respected professionals in the aviation
industry. While many in the general public see flight
attendants as glorified airborne waitresses, the cabin crews
and regular passengers know better. The flight attendant is the
face of the airline, and her - or his, since many flight
attendants today are male - primary job is making sure that all
the passengers have a safe flight.
But you knew that - that's part of the reason that you want to
be a flight attendant. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics, it's not quite as hard to find a flight attendant
job opening as many believe. Besides the major airlines - many
of whom are not hiring - there are over 75 airlines operating
in the United States and Canada, and you'll find a flight
attendant job opening at most of them. The fastest growing
segment of the aviation industry is in private airlines -
charters, fractional operators and company-owned airlines.
There are also many mid-size and smaller airlines that run
commuter flights and flights within the continental United
States and Canada. Because they don't have the glamour and
cachet of the Big Boys - United Airlines, American Airlines and
the others - they get far less applicants for every flight
attendant job opening. And the fact is, because flight
attendants bid on the flights they work based on seniority with
the plum jobs going to those with the most flight hours, the
flight attendants working for the major airlines are just as
likely to be working the short hop flights as those working
smaller airlines who specialize in them.
Finding a flight attendant job opening is no different than
finding a job opening in any other industry. It takes
diligence, persistence, luck and some insider knowledge. You'll
find listings for job openings for flight attendants in your
local newspaper, on the job boards like Monster, and by
applying directly to the airlines. Once you've found a flight
attendant job opening, you can apply online at the airline's
web site, or send a resume by mail or over the telephone. If
you've done a good job of presenting yourself in your cover
letter and resume, you may receive an invitation to an
interview, or other instructions on your next step.
Preparing yourself for your interview is just as important when
the interview is a 'cattle call' - industry slang for open
houses where recruiters prescreen applicants for a flight
attendant job opening - as it is for a face to face interview.
Impeccable personal grooming is important in any job interview,
but it's vital when you're applying for a flight attendant job
opening. Trim and manicure your nails, be certain that your
hair coloring is not in need of touching up - be certain that
every detail of your appearance is just right. After all, your
competition will be dong the same thing.