Help me!

[StarFire19]

Hi there, I got directed to this forum from another forum after I asked if anyone who was or knew someone who was/had been a flight attendant could give me some tips on how to get started.

Recently I've been thinking that it's what I want to do. Before anyone says it's not all 'glamour' - I completely understand that, and a friend told me that naturally you have to start right at the bottom if you want to go anywhere with a career such as this one. AND I also know that as I'm only 19 I probably wouldn't be employed anyway, as you have to be 21 IIRC?

Basically I have no idea what I have to do. Doing a course in Travel & Tourism crossed my mind obviously but at this stage it's a little late to apply for any college courses where I live. Is it essential that you do a college or university course to do Flight Attending?

Also, would the fact that I'm planning to learn German & Spanish mean anything? would it help me if I were to apply for a job as a Flight Attendant?

Any advice would be much appreciated!

(I just read that this is a forum for professionals... I hope I'm actually allowed to post in here :p)

[vctenderness]

A good start would be not to refer to 'Flight Attendants' in the UK cabin Crew is the term used.

Travel industry courses are a waste of time.

You need to understand the principles of customer service and ensure that you research the airline you are applying to.

Dress appropriately if you get an invitation to interview.

Don't say you want to travel the world and meet people!

If you are put into a team situation at interview don't under any circumstances hog the lime light and push the other candidates out.

Get some background in service. Go work for a pub, bar, coffee shop etc. first aid, nursing experience is also a good route in.

Understand the work is NOT glamourous! It is hard tiring and disruptive to a stable home life. Be prepared to spend long nights out of bed and then struggle to sleep during the day.

It can be rewarding in both travel and financial if you are in the right airline so chose carefully.

And oh....good luck!

[TightSlot]

Thread moved to Cabin Crew Wannabes Forum

[average-punter]

You don't have to be 21, I got my first cabin crew job at 18 as do many others.

I agree with VC, the travel and tourism and 'cabin crew' courses at UK colleges are a total waste of time, far better would be to get out there and obtain some decent customer service experience.

The languages certainly would help during the flights to those countries, some pay extra for additional languages. It however, won't have much influence on obtaining the job, far more important is how solid your examples are for the competency based interview. The recruiters will want to know specific examples of times in the past when you have provided excellent customer service, they will also want to see evidence of you having researched the airline and know the job well.

Good luck!

[StarFire19]

^Thank you for the responses^

I am currently in a part time job that includes a lot of personal interaction with the public, and at risk of blowing my own trumpet, I believe good customer service comes naturally to me.

I've been in the job for about 3 months now, would I have to stick in for another few before I could apply and be considered? (seeing as it's only my second job, the first I packed in after a month)

Thanks.

[Piltdown Man]

How about applying to BA? They have an online application process.

PM

[StarFire19]

^Thank you for the responses^

I have a few more questions:

1. I do currently work as a waiter so customer service is something I have experience in and not that it matters but comes naturally to me. But I've only been in the job for 3 months, would they consider someone like me realistically speaking?

2. vctenderness - When you say research the airline how would that manifest itself? is it like online research or would I have to do more?

[Hobo]

It would make sense to know which type and how many aircraft, which do long haul/shorthaul. what routes, cabin crew bases, difference between economy/business/first class. have you ever flown on the arline as a pax, in which case what did you think. who owns it/who is CEO, who do they code share with, are they part of an alliance, what are the other airlines in the alliance...all this stuff is available on line.