At your service: A cabin crew member serving the then minister of civil aviation, Shahnawaz Hussain, on a flight

Being a cabin crew member is a lot of fun, but there?s plenty of hard work involved and you must be prepared to work very unsociable hours. However, it?s also a rewarding career. ?I enjoy working as cabin crew as every day is different and the job is a constant challenge. You get to meet people from all walks of life and work alongside a variety of warm, fun-loving colleagues. We provide the best possible service to our passengers, whilst making their travel and our working day a safe, happy and pleasant experience!? says a cabin crew member.

It?s the age of the jumbo and the jet set. Everybody seems to fly these days; from the statesman winging his way to another crisis meeting, to the family next door taking their annual holiday in Spain or some other spot in the sun. Among those helping to provide service are the stewards/stewardesses, who combine the efficiency of a first-class secretary with the charm of a diplomat. Their job demands many qualities, including a capacity for hard work and an ability to keep calm in an emergency.

What do I have to do?

Inside the aircraft, they are the ones who are everywhere, greeting every passenger with a smile, elegantly guiding each to his or her seat, generously helping a passenger get settled, coordinating security personnel, giving directions to the caterers and doing a myriad other things.

The responsibilities range from passenger service and safety to the skillful handling of difficult passengers, which calls for a lot of PR work.

The work of a cabin crew member starts before the flight with the briefing given by the senior flight attendant. You have to be very thorough with safety, take-off and service procedures. This is followed by a safety check on the aircraft, where you would have to check the safety equipment, mikes, life jackets, stocks of pillows, blankets, books, plates, glasses, napkins and medicines, etc., as well as the cleanliness.

After the passengers board the flight the job includes assisting passengers to settle down. Special care is needed in case of VIPs, children, senior citizens, handicapped passengers, etc.

It is also your duty to explain the safety procedures and serve the passengers throughout the flight. In case of an emergency during the flight, you need to take responsibility and determine the most appropriate steps to deal with the situation.

What should I study?

While cabin crew training is very much in demand today, your personality is more important than your academic background. The most important quality required for a cabin crew member is a pleasant personality and the ability to handle all kinds of people. Almost all airlines have a set standard for their selection.

An aspirant is expected to be proficient in the required languages (usually English, Hindi and one foreign language) and a graduate in any subject or diploma holder in hotel management from a recognised university/institute. Knowledge of a commonly spoken foreign language like German, French or Spanish is an added advantage for an international airline.

You should be between 19 and 26 years of age, with a height of at least 157.5 centimetres, with your weight proportionate to your height as per the standards set. Eligibility for an Indian passport, unmarried status and perfect eyesight and health are other important factors considered as well as a clear complexion and a pleasing personality.

After the initial screening, you will have to qualify in a written test and subsequent group discussions and interviews. During training you will be taught the guidelines and necessary procedures and for safety and services, etc.

Apart from the physical and other attributes mentioned above, you should also have a lot of stamina, patience, common sense, presence of mind and the strength to keep yourself poised in the face of a crisis.

What next?

It is a lucrative career, and offers great monetary benefits. It also brings the excitement of travel to foreign locations. You meet different types of people from all walks of life. An air hostess can fly as cabin crew up to the age of 58 years in India, subject entirely to medical fitness. Salaries range from approximately Rs 15,000 to Rs 40,000 with perks.

With privatisation and foreign collaboration increasing every day, the future is bright for cabin crew members.

Five new domestic airlines and three international ones will soon start operations in India due to the Open Sky Policy. About 19 new airlines are slated to take off by the end of this year. Following Kingfisher and Spice Jet, the other airlines that are all set to hit the skies are Go Air, Air One, Magic Air and Visa Air. So the growth prospects are tremendous.

You have to take progressive examinations for promotions and attend the refresher courses to keep abreast of the latest technology. Your career as a cabin crew member can last for about eight to 10 years, after which you could move on to the ground duties including the job of a ground hostess, check hostess, etc., or diversify into any one of the other departments in the airline industry.

Where to study

• Frankfinn Institute of Air Hostess Training, www.fiatfrankfinn.com, (branches at several cities in India).

• Pacific Airways, Pocket GH-6/35, PaschimVihar, New Delhi 110087

• Air Hostess Academy (AHA), C-33, 2nd Floor, Amar Colony Market, Lajpat Nagar-IV, New Delhi 110024

• Many airlines such as Air India also impart their own training for air hostesses and cabin crew.