It's tough to say what "exactly" makes a good FA.
All the things that boss says deffinately are important, and a sense of humour I would say is a MUST!!! All those without one might as well not bother and go home because you have to laugh stuff off in this job and have a thick skin to a certain extent.
In my career so far I have met all sorts of FA's/CC and I have always been suprised at the wild differences in each of them. That may sound silly but in the same vien we are all recruited along the same lines, but it also suprises me how similar we are as well.
As main crew I probably didn't look at people so closely as much but now as "the on board manager" (bit of BA speak there) I take notice a lot more of how my crew opperate and treat their/my passengers as I believe customer service is of parmount importance after safety.
People who I may have not taken notice of before I now look at more closely and where as before I may have dismissed them as just average; I now see why they have been employed.
They have that "extra" thing, that part of their mind that when dealing with a problem enables them to think "out of the box" or "go that extra mile" (more BA speak sorry!!!). These are the people who will do more than is set out in their job specification or contract. I'm not talking about big things like cleaning the outside of the aircraft the a bucket and sponge and save the company a few pounds, it's the small things that make the difference and it's those things that people notice.
For example quite a few crew I fly with carry fruit teas because they like hot drinks but not big fans of normal tea or coffee. Passengers are exactly the same and often ask for them. If one of my collegues has them they generally always offer the passenger one of their own. Also as a result I carry some myself now (even though I hate em!!! urghhh!! lol!!).
Another example is the passenger who through no fault of their own cannot manage or get through the terminal easily - normally the older generation. Airports can be daunting places for the best of us but if your an elderly person looking to catch a train in the next half hour and your loaded with luggage or are just a bit daunted by the whole travel experiance then doing something which may seem straightforward to the rest of us can seem like climing the highest mountain. I've seen crew come up with passengers and telling me they are helping them through the terminal to help them with their onward journey, in fact I've done it myself.
These are just a couple of examples of what makes the difference between an average FA and an excellent FA. We can all pour drinks and push carts, but can we make that persons day just a bit easier or a but happier? For all those looking to become Cabin Crew this is also what the recruiters are looking for when they interview you, so take note.
Airlines are very much of a muchness in term of service and products now, and it's the crews that make the fundimental difference and get passenger coming back for more. If you want your company to survive these trying times in aviation then you've got to show your passengers you are the best, that you are doing your best, and you actually care about doing your best.
Well that's my 10 pence worth!!
Also a I find a few jokes on the PA every so often oils those smiles on my passengers faces and makes the trip a bit more enjoyable and memorable - BUT PLEASE don't bother if your not funny!!!
Be honest with yourself a stick to being proffesional!!
