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Flight Attendant Friday: I Want to be a Flight Attendant When I Grow Up — 8 Things You Can Do Now

by Mary Jo Manzanares on June 20th, 2008

I get lots of questions and emails from young men and women (teens) who “want to be a Flight Attendant when they grow up.”  The common thread in the questions is asking what can be done NOW to prepare for the job LATER.

Q.  What can I do now to make sure that I will be hired as a Flight Attendant when I get older?

A.  First of all, it’s important to recognize when LATER might actually be.

Most U.S. carriers have a minimum age requirement of 21.  Some of the smaller regional carriers (also known as commuter airlines) may have a minimum of 18, but this is the exception rather than the rule.

To keep you going till then, here are some suggestions.

1. Stay in school, get good grades, and go to college.  This is a highly competitive job field, and the airlines can be picky.  Show that you have outstanding credentials by doing a good job at everything you do.  Most applicants have college degrees, and nearly all have some level of college education.
2. Get a job, even if it’s part-time, and develop a good employment record.  Airlines need to hire reliable, conscientious employees.  Show that you are committed to your job, whatever that job may be, by developing a solid work ethic of showing up for work, on time, and being a diligent employee.
3. Learn a language, or maybe even two.  I’m not talking about a couple years of high school French.  I’m talking about mastering a language so that you can read, write, and think in something other than English.  Airlines may not require it, but it gives you a leg up.  And all things being equal, you want as much as you can on your side of the equation.
4. Take care of your health.  The job of a Flight Attendant is a physical one.  You need to be able to lift, carry, be on your feet for hours, and live on a irregular schedule.  Start young to develop good health habits that will allow you to perform the duties of the job when you are older.
5. Practice good grooming habits.  While the glamour days of the industry are long gone, this is still a front-line customer service job.  Taking pride in how you look indicates that you will be a good representative of an airline.  All shapes, sizes, and ages are being hired for the job, but basic good grooming skills are required.
6. Travel when you can.  Many people who are hired for the job have never been away from home, so this is definitely not a deal breaker.  However, exposure to what travel is all about (and what’s it’s not) gives you a realistic view of what’s it’s like to live on the road.
7. Be curious.  Curious people have an innate interest in the world around them.  They embrace new experiences, are not afraid of unfamiliar locations and cultures.  It just makes you a more interesting person, and that makes you a more attractive applicant.
8. Hope timing is on your side.  The airline industry goes through its own special cycles of ups and downs.  When you’re finally old enough to start applying, you hope it’s during a growth time in the industry, rather than a time of cutbacks and layoffs.  Is there a best time to get hired?  Generally speaking, it’s always preferable to be hired a the beginning of an upswing.  But if you want to get into the industry, the best time to start is the day you get hired!

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POSTED IN: Air Travel, Flight Attendant Friday