Cabin Crew Recruitment Procedures

One day, a little girl went to the airport to fetch her father who was coming home from his work abroad. She sat with her mother on an airport bench at the arrivals area and watched the blur of people going by: passengers arriving from other flights, airport workers, some porters offering their assistance for a fee and others like her, eagerly waiting for their loved ones' to appear through the terminal door. Then she saw a group of people exiting from the arrivals gate, wearing strange costumes. She was particularly curious about a group of statuesque young ladies wearing colorful outfits. She asked her mother, “ Mom who are they? What nice costumes they have!”. Her mother who was patiently waiting alongside her replied, “Those are flight stewardesses, honey. They come with the pilots and their job is to fly people like your dad to different places around the world.” Her little eyes grew round with childish awe, “You mean they get to fly in the airplanes? Wow! And they get to wear pretty costumes too! Some day, I'll be a flight stewardess!”

This little girl was me, and this was my childish dream, a dream everybody thought I'd grow out of, but somehow it stuck. I went to college to get a degree in Tourism Management, hoping this would be my stepping stone to finally achieving my dream, graduated and joined the throng of cabin crew wanna bees. Constantly checking the classifieds for airline openings, I was one of the wide-eyed hopefuls, as were hundreds of others. I sent my CV to all the airlines who had an opening, local and international. Then while working for my part-time job, I waited for the fated phone calls and emails asking for an interview. Whenever I got an invitation, it was like I was in cloud nine! This could be it! Going to the various airline “Open Days” was nerve-wracking...the waiting in line (hundreds of girls want this job too!), anxiously waiting for your turn to be called in for the interview... The waiting is always the hard part. And then the big event: Interview. Most airline companies follow steps in recruiting cabin crew:

First there's an initial interview, usually by the recruitment agency hired by the airline, and they sort out who will be qualified for the Final Interview (usually a panel interview). They sort out hundreds of CV's, call the qualified ones in to check if they are qualified aesthetically (one should be wearing a matching business suit! This is a must so if you don't have it, invest in one!), assess their height and weight if they are proportional (BMI) and a brief interview. Having previous airline experience will be a plus factor and likely be a “priority” but it does not guarantee the job.

Then if you're one of the lucky ones, you manage to get into the Final Interview conducted by the representatives of the airline you are hoping is “The One”. In my case, I applied to my present airline three times before I got my dream job. So to the cabin crew hopefuls out there, do not be disheartened if you do not get in on the first try! Most airlines will allow you to submit applications again after 6 months. Of course it helps if you have some tips on how to ace that interview. Most airlines' #1 requirement for their cabin crew is that they have exceptionally good English verbal and written skills. Of course knowledge of other languages are a plus, but this is the most important skill cabin crew must have. You will be working with and serving a lot of different nationalities and English is a must. This universal language is the method of communication between you and your colleagues, the flight deck crew, passengers and other airline workers. Your training itself and your training manuals will be in English. So before we start imagining how good we're going to look wearing one of the designer uniforms, you'd better start improving on English communication skills.

Then if you're really lucky, and it really is “your time to shine”, and you manage to get through the final interview with flying colors. It's not over yet, most airlines require that you be able to swim (so you will be able to save lives in case of a Ditching, or a crash landing in water). There will most likely be a swimming exam and if you qualify, there just a few more steps and you're home free!

The next step will be to pass their medical assessment to see if you are fit to do the duties of a flight attendant. Most think it's all about glamour and travel perks but the truth is a cabin crew's duty is not easy. Primarily your role is to ensure safety of the aircraft, yourself, your fellow crew and most importantly your passengers. You have to be alert and physically fit at all times while on duty to be always ready in case of any emergency be it medical or aircraft or passenger related. Keep this in mind: “we are here to save lives”.We are there to make sure our passengers are given the quality service they expect and at the same time safely transport them to their respective destinations.

Then if you are really lucky to pass everything, from interview to the medicals, I'd say you're nearly there. You'll b hired by the airline, but you will have to go to the Cabin Crew training, which is not a piece of cake, as it includes written and practical exams on Aviation Safety and Security, Emergency Procedures and Drills, etc. and also have In-flight Service training. Then after all these, and you manage to pass with flying colors, you'll graduate and be given your Wings and your respective licences.

I'm lucky enough to finally be living my dream and I'm having the time of my life right now. The journey hasn't been easy but then anything can be achieved through hard work, determination and perseverance.