“I’m just a flight attendant”
I’ve heard this answer from crew when being asked what they do. In fact I regret that I’ve even said the ‘just’ word myself on the odd occasion. Flight attendant jobs are among the more visible jobs to the public (after all passengers often have not much else to do in the air but watch us) and many of them think they have our jobs all figured out. “Glorified waitresses” is a term used to describe us maddeningly often. And the fact that crew may revert to saying ‘just a flight attendant’ indicated they may not see the value in what they do or consider their job very important.
I have to confess – sometimes I wonder the same thing. Is there something more valuable I could be doing than pushing a cart up the aisle in the middle of the night? Maybe. But at the same time I don’t have to think very hard for reasons I’m proud to be a wing bearer and part of the crew community.
Here’s why when I stop to reflect I really am proud of the work I do as cabin crew.
Harder to Get Into Than Harvard
It’s no secret that cabin crew positions are particularly sought after. In fact when I first was hired as a short haul crew, there were over 10,000 applicants for my base. Of that 10,000 about 150 were interviewed and ultimately 40 were hired. For Delta Airlines recent intake, more than 125,000 hopefuls applied and only 1 per cent of them will be chosen. Based on these numbers, it’s literally harder to get into Delta than Harvard and most airlines are spoiled for choice when it comes to the quality of their applicants.
Sure you may not necessarily need a long list of qualifications to do the role, but there is definitely something special needed that the hiring managers are looking for. Knowing that my airline saw something in me and that I beat out so many others for the position makes me feel especially proud.
Proud of the Perks of the Position
For all of the complaining crew do, deep down we know essentially we have it pretty good when it comes to our conditions. It’s a great feeling to explain to people (without bragging too much of course) how many days off I get compared to other full time workers, the 5 star hotels we stay at, and how we get given local currency in each port. Oh and being able to travel with your family on multiple airlines at bargain rates also has to be one of the best things ever. While it obviously depends on the airline you work for, I feel particularly proud to work for an airline that looks after their crew and has been voted one of my country’s best employers.
Proud to Save Lives and Solve Problems
When anything non routine happens on board we are the people who the public turn towards to help save the day. We always are alert and on guard for potentially suspicious items and activity from passengers. Heaven forbid if there’s an emergency, we are the ones trained to evacuate a plane filled with 300 people in 90 seconds or less. If someone is having a medical episode, we are the ones that can administer first aid. If there’s a fire on board we’re the ones who can fight it. We’re the ones that people look for assurance them during turbulence, or that strange noise coming from the left engine. We answer questions about connecting flights and airports, we even do our best when it comes to your customs related queries.
Even if it’s just turning unhappy customers into a happy ones, flight attendants are forced to confront passenger’s problems and other issues on a daily basis, whether it’s controlling unruly passengers, sorting out seating issues, or finding appropriate meal options for passengers. It’s often a challenge, but when I get a good outcome for passengers, I take a great deal of pride in it.
Proud to Represent My Country to the World
Call it the ‘airport swagger’, but as myself and fellow crew walk through the an airport terminal or hotel lobby and turn heads, it is definitely a proud moment in the job. As cheesy as it may sound, there’s definitely a moment when putting on the flight attendant uniform where you feel like you are a part of something bigger, a massive operation identifiable with people all across the world. I’m conscious of the fact that wearing the uniform of a flagship carrier, I’m representing my country to the world. Whether greeting passengers at the aircraft door or talking to them as they get settled, I see my job as a flight attendant as an ambassador for my country. After all, for many travellers, the cabin crew are the first interaction they have with nationals of the nation they are visiting.
Proud to Improve the Passenger Experience
For many passengers, flying is a dreaded but necessary evil, and there’s no doubt a great deal of anxiety many passengers have when boarding a flight. Will they sleep? Will they arrive on time for their connecting flight? When you finish a long flight and have all worked well as a crew to make sure everyone is looked after, there’s a great deal of satisfaction I take as a crew member in a job well done. Some of the times I feel most proud in my job is when farewelling passengers after a busy flight and they tell you it was one of the best flights they have ever been on. As crew, I know that I am difference in what can make or break a flight for passengers. When I do my job well, it’s a proud feeling that I’ve made the flight that much nicer for guests.
If I begin to consider myself as ‘just a flight attendant’ all it takes is to remember how many people would like to be where I am, and the difference I can make to others in what otherwise might just seem as a routine day at the office. Besides all jobs are important in their own right, and as far as jobs go, it’s the best one I’ve ever had. It’s one of the only jobs I’ve had where work usually doesn’t even feel like work, and after a few days off I look forward to going back to the skies. How many jobs can you say that about?
