Flight Attendant Training
Stressful, exciting, scary, valuable, trying, anxious, proud...these are some of the words that come to mind when I think about a Flight Attendant Training Program. I should know, I have survived it twice. I first became a flight attendant when I was just 23 for a regional airline and then switched gears and went to work for a major airline 4 years later. Even though it has been nearly 2 years since my last training program, the harrowing experience is still fresh in my mind and it is not something soon forgot. The second time around I felt like I was an old pro at it because I had been through it before and most of the other fresh faced, wide eyed flight attendant trainees had no idea what to expect. I was prolific with my advice and help to the other trainees when I could see that they were about to lose their minds. I knew that this five and a half week curriculum was merely a means to an end. I was a flight attendant and always would be.
First of all, let me congratulate you on being chosen to attend flight attendant training. It's not an easy task in making it through the interview process, and many people whom you interviewed with were not invited to the program. You should be very proud. Although each airline offers different styles of service, different company rules and standards, the training programs are all very similar. It is a rigorous military-style approach in that the instructors immerse you everything airline, where you eat sleep and breath nothing but FAR's (federal aviation regulations), service, emergencies, evacuations, etc. and put the fear of God into you in order to tear you down and bring you back up as a team. Sounds like fun, right? It actually is a wonderful experience where you get the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world, learn a wide array of skills, and make a lifetime of memories in a very short period of time. Being a flight attendant, I naturally want to help any of you new trainees out there who are about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime.
The first thing you need to know is that you will be sharing a hotel room with another trainee of the same sex that the company pairs you with. This person will be a complete stranger and you will be sleeping in a bed next to theirs, sharing the lav, studying with, eating with, and living with for the next 5 weeks. You may not get along, or you may become best friends. Although one of my very best friends is my roommate from my first training program years ago, I haven't spoken to my roommate from my most recent training since graduation. You just never know who you are going to get. The important thing is to get along while you are there. Give each other space, help each other out, and set up a bathroom and study schedule that you can both live with. Whatever problems you may encounter with your roommate, do not go to the instructors with it. They will not give you a different roommate and you actually run the risk of being sent home. If you can't get along with your roommate then how will you be able to work with a crew of 3-13 flight attendants on your trips? You have to just work it out, or keep your distance.
This brings me to the hotel. Don't think for a second that the hotel staff doesn't know you are a flight attendant trainee. The airline usually uses the same hotel to house each class of future flight attendants and they know the drill. Why is this important? The hotel manager reports directly to the flight attendant instructors with any problems that the trainees are causing. Bad news if you are caught drinking in the bar within the standard 8 hours before you are to report to class, or if there is a noise complaint at the pool after hours. Life in the hotel is very much like college dorm life and it is easy to get caught up in the drama that is sure to unfold. Remember that you are in the program for a purpose and not to party and make friends. Trust me; there will be plenty of time for that once you start flying. Just know that you are being watched at all times and don't want to give them any reason to send you home.
Now for class. The instructors are a no-nonsense sort of people and will be watching you for any slip up, or any sign that you aren't cut out for this kind of lifestyle. But be positive. They chose you for a reason! Training is usually 8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week. This doesn't include the hours of studying you will be doing after class (study groups are helpful). The majority of your time will be spent in a classroom style environment studying the in-flight manual, policies and procedures, the type and location of all emergency equipment for each aircraft, all airport city codes, procedures for security situations, duties and responsibilities for each flight attendant position all on a seemingly endless power point presentation. The rest of your time you will be out of your chair learning CPR, basic first aid, service related duties and doing simulated emergency evacuations in a mock up plane complete with hydraulics and a smoke machine! The days of just slinging' drinks at 30,000 feet are over. You will be learning some very serious and potentially dangerous things.
The first day will be a kind of get to know everyone orientation, plus a test. The airport city codes they sent to your house to study before training began will be the first thing they test you on. Make sure you know them. The instructors will give you an outline and calendar for the course and you will be expected to be prepared for the following day's material and every exam. You will be tested almost daily and are expected to score at a minimum of 80%-90% on each test, depending on the airline. Most of the tests are not difficult nor do they have trick questions and they are usually multiple choice. Memorization is key. You have the ability to take make-up tests if you happen to fail one. They usually only give you 2-3 of these re-tests for the entire program so make sure you study hard. A few things to keep in mind while you are in class: turn your cell phone off, don't ever be late to class, and follow the dress code explicitly. Your class of 50 that you start with on day 1 will dwindle down to 35-40 for failing tests as well as not following the rules.
The final thing to remember is that while this is usually a paid training, you won't be paid much so make sure you have something in savings for when you start flying. Your paychecks won't be much for the first year or so. The big bucks don't start coming till after you get off reserve....but that's another story entirely. Be sure you study hard, remember to have fun, and take your camera! The day of your flight attendant graduation will be one of the proudest days of your life. Wear those wings with pride, you earned them.
