Unlike many other jobs where the training tends to be done in the classroom and then glossed over on the job, flight attendant training is done right on the job with the airline taking responsibility for training their attendant regardless of past education. Although preference is given to those with training in things like hospitality, people skills, and sometimes certification as a flight attendant, airlines still like to do much of the training themselves-that way, they can mould flight attendants to suit their specific needs. Flight attendant training on the job is the best way to learn everything you need in order to do this job.
What to Expect from Flight Attendant Training
Every single airline major or minor provides some form of flight attendant training to their successful applicants. This training can take between two and eight weeks to complete and most airlines provide travel to and from the training site. A few airlines (about 35% of them) also provide compensation for the training, but don’t expect this: many airlines do not consider you employed until you have completed your training, so they see no reason to pay you. A very few airlines will charge you in turn for the flight attendant training; make sure to find out what the deal is with your training before you start so you can be prepared for it.
Over the course of your flight attendant training, you will be taught a number of things. The main thing to learn will be the layout of the planes used by the airline you are working for. Each airline uses different planes and different styles within each type of airplane and it’s extremely important that you understand the ins, outs and niches of the planes you’ll be working on in order to help passengers. You will be taught emergency procedures on the plane, where everything is stored and how to use it, and how to handle clients in situations both benign and problematic.
If you end up working for a smaller airline or a private one, flight attendant training will consist of other duties beyond simply dealing with customers. On small enough airlines, you may well be the only airline attendant and thus you can add your own spin to the service in order to make things more comfortable for you while still making the flight customer for the passengers. On private airlines, training will consist of whatever the private owner wants for you and that means a great deal more training than simply managing the plane! For example, you may be trained on mixing drinks or on handling music; it all depends on the owner.
Is Flight Attendant Training Free?
For the most part, flight attendant training is free and airlines even provide transportation to and from the training site. However, most airlines will not pay you during the training period which can last anywhere between two and eight weeks, so make sure you have money saved up for this period.
A few airlines do charge for their training. Make sure to check with the airline before you sign on and that you can afford to pay for the training if you decide to take it.
Is Flight Attendant Training Transferable?
If you decide to switch airlines, you may be wondering if your flight attendant training in one airline is going to help you in the new one. The answer depends on the airline. Most airlines will be happy to have someone with plenty of prior experience and it can at least greatly shorten the time spent in the training camps. However, if you are moving to an airline with planes you have never worked with before, then getting flight attendant training on the new planes is not only a good idea, but mandatory. However, the people skills you learn on the job will be perfectly transferable between airlines; after all, people don’t change based on something like which airline they fly with! So in short, the people skills learned will be perfectly transferable and look very well on your resume while you may have to learn a new plane if you switch to a new airline to work in and the new flight attendant training will help you with that.
If you’re going to work as a flight attendant, then getting the job isn’t enough. You will also have to pass the flight attendant training program set out by the airline in order to do the work at the best of your ability and to the specifications of the airline. Flight attendant training can give you all the skills you’ll need to work in your new job and give you the foundation to make the most of your time there.