Cabin Crew Training- Career as a Cabin Crew

Being a cabin crew is the ideal career for those who don’t need stability in their regular lives and who love to travel, genuinely care for others and are patient. It is frequently said that the job of a cabin crew is not just a career, it is a lifestyle.

In 1930, United Airlines hired the first ever steward, a nurse whose name was Ellen Church. Even then, this was considered to be a glamorous career, and all stewards need a nursing qualification, as their main role on board was to take care of passenger’s medical requirements in case any requirements arise.

Cabin crew members have been addressed as cabin attendants, flight stewards, air hostess, and flight attendants. In South Africa, the name for flight attendants was replaced with cabin crew members, due to the licensing of cabin crew in 1998.

The licensing procedure changed the glamorous outlook of flight attendants to one of professional licensed safety officers whose basic responsibility is the safety of the fellow crew members and passengers on the aircraft. Cabin crew members are frequently considered glamorous and many people envy them, when they walk through the airport in their lovely uniforms. When people think about flight attendants, they see fun, shopping, fashion, glamour, glitz and independence. Once cabin crew members are on the aircraft, the glamour ends and the hectic work begins. The drawback of a career as a cabin crew member comprise of being away from friends and family members during the festive season, not being home for special events, abuse by drunken passengers, cleaning aircraft toilets at 2 AM, cleaning up after kids who have been airsick. This definitely is not glamorous, but the lifestyle is. Staying in the best hotels while being paid for it, meeting famous celebrities, shopping in New York, watching shows on the Broadway- the list of benefits are unlimited. The necessities for being a flight attendant vary from airline to airline. The minimum entry requirements for a cabin crew member license are:

• A Class 2 medical certificate
• Minimum 18 years of age while writing the SACAA examination
• Expertise in the English language

Along with the necessities listed above, Airline Operators have minimum necessities for the cabin crew members. They may comprise of but not restricted to:

• Age restrictions:
• A second or third language
• Height restrictions which are based on the flight as crew members have to reach all safety equipments stowed on the aircraft.
• No criminal record

Some airlines won’t employ registered cabin crew members as this is an indication that the flight attendant should have the ability to complete all the practical and theoretical assessments successfully while attending their cabin crew training and it is also a sign that the person is truly eager to join the position as a cabin crew member.

Hiring licensed cabin crew members is also cost-efficient for the airline operator as the cabin crew member would have paid for all the SACAA examinations, their medical assessment and also for the actual license. Even if an airline operator hires licensed cabin crew members, these crew members will still have to undergo cabin crew training in Kolkata with the operator they are working for. The duration of the training will be precise according to the operator.

It is apparent that many candidates are not successful while applying for a job as a cabin crew member and the reasons for this may vary from not fitting into the profile, nerves or not just being able to sell yourself in an interview. Competition is strong among those wanting to be cabin crew members and airline operators can just select the best candidate. Therefore, the interviewing procedure is usually intensive and it is important to be confident and well-prepared while applying for positions with operators. Attending an accredited cabin crew training institute will be advantageous and set you apart, while applying for a position with an airline.

A commercial flight is never complete without cabin crew members to navigate you to your seat, serve your drinks, or carry out the regular air safety precaution routine. Cabin crew members have always been solutions for the aviation industry, and the pop culture has surely garnered them much attention with the songs, movies and TV shows created with them in mind.

Nonetheless, if you think that their job is glamorous and easy, think again. Not everyone who applies for a cabin crew course in Kolkata can actually fulfil the eligibility for cabin crew job descriptions. And even those who have already passed cabin crew training, there is a rigorous hierarchy for trained professionals. Many successful trainees don’t truly rise above the level of cabin crews for domestic airlines.

Depending on the airline company that is hiring, many possible flight attendants have to undergo very stringent training for medical emergencies, airplane safety measures, passenger care and many other things. Cabin crew training doesn’t end here. There is also extra training and certifications required for those who to serve a selective group of passengers just like those who patronize business jet flights or private airplanes.

There are different kinds of cabin crew training in Kolkata. There are some that are owned privately, which implies that prospective cabin crews have a generalized education. Cabin crew training centres that are commercially owned are those that are run by the airline companies themselves. Frequently, non-city people train in the private centres first before they can meet the application eligibility for the cabin crew job description in the commercial training centres. Training sessions generally continue from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on the type of training given.

What are the educational qualifications for the prospective cabin crews?

  The numero Uno qualification for possible cabin crew is obviously completion of basic cabin crew course in Kolkata. These may comprise of, but not restricted to various types of tools that you may have to use on a regular basis on the flight. More specialized training comprise of food preparation such as certification in coffee preparations and alcoholic beverage preparations. Some of the cabin crew members are also trained now in bomb-detection and other possibly dangerous looking objects that might be utilized to hijack a plane.

Anyone who is planning to become a cabin crew member should take the time to consider the demands of the role. Aircraft personnel will spend most of their time away from home, travelling all across the world. This may put pressure on their family life. Nonetheless, the advantages should not be forgotten as this role can offer incredible opportunities and a chance to explore the world. There is a possibility to explore various cultures and learn new languages.   

The requirement for multi-lingual cabin crews is mainly dependent on the airline company also. For many, English is the standard requirement. Nonetheless, some airline companies do train their cabin crews to speak the language of the country in which the plane will land. Some other major languages taught are Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin, Japanese, Italian, German, French, Filipino and Cantonese.

Weight and height requirements are mainly for aesthetic value. Nonetheless, this is dependent on what image the airline company wants to maintain.