Job Hunting: How to Become a Flight Attendant

Long before Barbie put on her hat, signature scarf, airline wings and, oh yeah, "stewardess boots," many a young girl dreamed of becoming a flight attendant. Little has changed over the years, and just as during Barbie's flying days, you have to meet strict airline requirements to gain one of the coveted spots.

Graduation from a specialized training school for flight attendants will not guarantee you a spot with any airline as supply far outweighs the deman of willing and winning applicants. It's a buyer's market for the airlines. While you don't have to be Barbie to snag a job as a flight attendant, the competition is stiff. So, know the competition and know the qualifications before you approach an airline or enroll in a training school.

Below are some things you need to evaluate about yourself to see if you qualify:

Physical requirements. (There are some variables to these, depending on the airline. For example, some airlines require that new hires fall between 18-22 years of age.)

------Age: Between 19-54 years old

------Height: Between 5'2" and 6'2"

------Weight: In proportion to height

------Eyesight. Good eyesight with/without glasses or contacts. Also, you cannot be color blind.

Physical Abilities Requirements. As unglamorous as it sounds, over the years people have referred to flight attendants as waiters and waitresses in the air. That's putting it crudely, but both jobs include a lot of the same physical abilities requirements.

Can you stand on your feet for long periods of time? "May I have a pillow," "May I have a magazine," "May I have another soda?" That's what you'll hear dozens of times over, and you'll be the one having to fetch the objects for your customer, the traveler.

While you won't be asked to life weights, you have to be able to lift crammed, carry-on luggage and place it in the overhead bins or store it in other spots in the aircraft for flight safety. You also have to be able to handle a moving cart during turbulent weather. If that sounds easy, consider how well you've done trying to control your own tray of food during a turbulent flight. Now multiply it by number and weight.

Background. You must pass drug/alcohol tests, criminal background checks.

Paperwork. U.S. airlines require U.S. citizenship or registered alien status (with right to work in the U.S.) You must have a social security card, and in most cases, a passport.

Education. The minimum for most flight attendant jobs is a GED or graduation from high school. Since even those who shell out money to attend a private, post graduation school designed specifically to train those seeking airline jobs, a GED and/or graduation from high school won't cut it. The majority of flight attendants have some sort of higher education.

Language. To be hired for a U.S. airline, you must speak English fluently. Some require that you be able to carry on a basic conversation in another language. If your airline is based in another country, you can count on it that you'll have to be fluent in that language as well.

Customer Service Oriented. While not technical requirements, since the airline can have its choice of candidates, some other qualities will put you on par with the competition. Flight attendants face many of the same issues as others in customer service. Your job is to serve the customer, whether it be getting a pillow, escorting a young child, calming passengers during a stressful or turbulent flight or ensuring the safety of the passengers while in your care.

Life Flexibility. You may be asked to relocate, and you must realize that be away from your home many days of the month.

Public Speaking and Dealing with Groups. Much of your job involves dealing with strangers and groups of strangers. You will say "hello" and "goodbye" to hundreds at a shot, which most can handle. You may be asked, however, to give the safety directions which may require you to speak while you have a lot of eyes on you. Even if you give the speech over and over, if you can't handle speaking or giving directions to a group of people, this is not the job for you.

Security. You have to work well under pressure, duress even. After 9-11, flight attendants started receiving more training in regard to terrorist attacks or like aboard an aircraft. The FAA and Federal Aviation Regulations now require flight attendants to pass safety and security training programs. Post 9-11 the Aviation and Transportation Security Act set forth even stronger requirements for flight attendants. Now you will receive, and must qualify through, a program aimed at terrorist, hijacker and personal defense training.

It takes the wind out of the old image of a flight attendant being just a waiter/waitress in the air, now doesn't it? You'll still have to be qualified to assist people and provide customer service, but the new flight attendant's role has been expanded in ways Barbie in her spiffy little attire could not imagine.

It's remote, but it's a possibility, that you will be put in harm's way, and will be counted on to act as the last line between problems and the cockpit. Again, this is not from a physical standpoint, but you have to be of the mindset that you can take charge of a situation.

Safety. To a lesser extent than security, flight attendants are also on the front line of many emergencies. The FAA and Federal Aviation Regulations require training for fire control, first aid, aircraft evacuation and emergency procedures.

It's important to note that the Association of Flight Attendants is working to change requirements for flight attendants. While aviation employees are trained, according to the AFA, flight attendants fall through the cracks for some of the training by way of waivers. Also note that the requirements may vary, depending on the airlines. So, always check on current standards before setting your sights on a flight attendant position. As the world changes, and the business climate changes, so will the qualifications to become a flight attendant.