Good morning all!
I feel I need to add my two dollars worth here...
1) TRUE - age shouldn't matter unless it encroaches on the minimums. However, I for one know of many people who are turned down for f/a positions due to their not meeting a 'recruitment agenda'. Fortunately this doesn't happen in the UK as often as it happens in other countries! Emirates for example will not hire anyone under 21 and a half.
As for tertiary education, again, the dreaded 'recruitment agenda' exists. Think about it, if you have to select between two people, and one of them has a Diploma in Hospitality, or Diploma in Japanese...who would you pick? Who, out of these two, would you think bring more to the position? True - a language for example isn't a necessity...but it's a 'bonus' for the airline.
2) It sometimes takes more than Dreams to make them a reality. Persistence, experience and qualifications all go towards you achieving your goals. Try to get as much experience in the industry (ground handling, etc)...this will give you an idea and perhaps the encouragement to continue with your goal.
3) alcoflyer - one must ask the question why you wont name particular colleges/courses as not being 'reputable'? This is a public forum with the purpose of being able to discuss and pass on information that will be of assistance to others. I mentioned Heathrow Personnel as a possible starting point - I wont take offence if you think different to me on this company.
4) Nav1 - as you would have read in this forum, we were not trying to offend you personally. It would seem however that your girlfriend isn't as 'au fait' as you when it comes to information about your job. We as cabin crew do take it personally when someone denegrates our position. We have enough to put up with (as you may know yourself) - from people abusing us to tech crew (older ones mind you)_ who cannot accept we are an effective part of THEIR crew, not 'cart tarts'.
No offence meant Nav1 but whatever we have said in this forum is true. Those of us who haven't experienced this personally know of plenty of other working crew and applicants who have.
This info isn't meant to depress anyone - but let's not sugarcoat things here. It is a difficult job with one of the worlds weirdest set of interviews and recruitment processes (psychological tests, up to four interviews for some airlines, etc).
I hope we all get to have a fantastic Y2K, and may everyone's flight thru life be peaceful, happy and above all else, profitable!