In Italy you MUST hold a licence to work as cabin crew, and as I said in another topic, it's subject to succesfully completing the JAA class II medical, and the "Induction" course covering anything from theory of flight to aeroplane systems, emergency equipment, First Aid (only an aviation doctor can run the course) CRM, practical drills (serious ones too like the dunker) etc...
Then you're subject to a minimum of 100hrs on a SNY position, then back to the classroom in preparation for the ENAC (equivalent of the british CAA) state exam, which covers First Aid, anything about the aeroplane/equipment and an exam in English, which could be about anything.
I got asked lots of questions on the aircraft I flew on as a SNY in particular to start with,then how to treat a pax who has a gall-bladder stones colic on board and then to describe the engine with an emphasis on the reverse thrust system.Not easy if you cannot speak english!!!
Then you get your licence and you can jump between airlines without having to do the ab initio course again. Just a week or so to do the a/c conversion and commercial course.
I've found a big difference between Italy and other countries where a licence is not required. Starting from the training course, the pass rate of the exams and the kind of briefings before the flight (much easier where a licence is not required).
Preparation MUST be superior in airlines where a licence is required, because they not only have to meet their own targets and standards, but they are subject to aviation authorities' standards too.
Last but not least, passengers regard your job in a different way too. Not everybody succeeds in becoming a cabin crew and you ARE a professional.
You DO hold a licence, and you bloody worked hard for it!!
This is just my opinion based on my own experience, but I am sure there are some companies that are dreading the moment they'll have to prepare their cabin crew for a proper licence....
FBW
