Part of your Customer Service Training in Flight Attendant School will cover Customer Service.

There are many different ways we serve our customers. We greet them, we hang up their coats, we offer them beverages and we even turn their overhead lights on for them when they need the light to read.

In our Flight Attendant Careers we will see many things while in the air that relate to service.

“Ladies and Gentlemen in a few moments we will begin our On Board Meal Service. We have three selections of entrees today.” I then announce the selections. I describe the delicious airplane food in scrumptious detail. I then ask that they have their order in mind as we pass through the cabin, “The price for the entrees is five dollars.”

I also share that there is a detailed, illustrated description of these items on page 108 of their in-flight magazine.

Meals loaded on the Cart, we head down the aisle to begin the service.

We are at the first row in coach, I ask, the window seated passenger “May I get you something from our Buy on Board menu?”

Window seat looks right back in my eyes and asks, “What do you have?”

I silently think, “Buddy you are kidding, right?”

In reality, I smile and repeat the menu.

I’m at the third row and I ask, “May I get you something from our Buy on Board menu?”

Third row middle seat looks me in the eyes and asks, “Is it free?”

I silently think; “I’m at row three, only 20 more rows to go! These people are killing me, please God, take me now.”

In reality, I smile, and repeat the menu.

In the sixth row and I repeat my offering. Middle seat woman looks me in the eyes and says, “Do you have a toasted Reuben?”

I silently think, “I made the announcement twice, I pointed out the page with the pictures, I not once mentioned anything about Ruben, Chuck, or Tom. I thought I said, Snack Box or a Salad………. did my ex-wife send these people?”

In reality, I smile, and repeat the menu.

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As we get older, and especially when we become parents, we have more appreciation for all the advice our Moms gave us. Wash your hands. Cover your mouth when you sneeze. Don’t mumble. Those words have held up pretty well over the years and still hold true today.

When preparing for your first day of work after choosing a Flight Attendant Career, you may want to call upon Mom again to go over your check list so that your first day on the job is a success. Some of these were covered in Flight Attendant School, but here are a few reminders that will make your Mom proud:
• Get a good night’s sleep. Leave the partying or David Letterman for another night
• Have a healthy breakfast. (P.S. Donut and diet soda do not count) Include some protein and fruit
• Get your clothes ready the night before. Lay out your uniform. Be sure it’s pressed and free of pet hair
• Pack your overnight bag. You don’t need to be running around like a crazy person in the morning looking for that travel size tube of toothpaste. Plan ahead for what you’ll need and have it ready by the front door
• Pack a healthy snack. Water, fruit and maybe a protein bar if you think you’ll be eating off schedule
• Have all of your paperwork in place. Not in place on top of the TV, but in your purse or flight bag
• Relax. You’ve made it this far. You’ll be fine. Just take a deep breath, put on a smile and be sure to say please and thank you

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Not only has my husband never stepped foot in a flight attendant training class, he doesn’t even like to fly, but I met him through Flight Attendant School. Actually, I met him through a fellow classmate whose sister was dating his brother at the time. Yes, I actually met the man of my dreams by choosing a Flight Attendant Career but I also met lots of interesting people I never would have met through other jobs.

I don’t know if it’s the international appeal of being able to travel around the world, but I’ve made friends with crew members from India, China, South America and New Zealand. They all have interesting stories about their childhood, families and what attracted them to a Flight Attendant Career. Plus, they bring a global viewpoint to some of our livelier conversations about politics, children and American Idol! Someday, I’d like to arrange a potluck dinner where everyone brings a special dish from their country. What better way to get acquainted than through food?

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I met many people with interesting life stories when in Flight Attendant School, but I remember in particular one woman who had just lost her husband.  Her mother was helping to raise her three children and I remember being in awe of her courage and positive attitude.

Then, after 16 years with the same airline, she was diagnosed with cancer.  She took a year off and could have made a different career choice that wasn’t as physically taxing, but she went back to her airline and picked up where she left off as though nothing had happened.

I was lucky enough to cross paths with her a few years ago when we were on the same flight.  I asked why she would want to return to a job that sometimes required lifting and hours of standing and she said there was really only one reason:  the people.  She loved meeting new people every day and getting to know crew members.  She loved seeing the same people taking daily business shuttles between Washington and New York and felt as though they were part of her family.  She also told me how during her illness, many of them called her and sent gifts.

I know she’ll retire one day, but until then, choosing a Flight Attendant Career was the only choice she ever wanted to make.

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I try to do all the responsible things adults are supposed to do:  eat right, get enough sleep, pay my taxes and exercise at least five times a week.  Well, that’s easier said than done when you’ve chosen a Flight Attendant Career.  Or, is it?

I’ve found that even with the most hectic schedule, even on a day line, there’s an opportunity to fit in some walking, even if it’s from one gate to another.

One of the great things about a Flight Attendant Career is that on longer trips, you’ll stay overnight in a hotel and most all of them now have pools and fitness centers.  If you’re a swimmer, check the hotel before you get there to see if there’s a seasonal pool and get in a few laps.  Always pack your sneakers on longer trips and some lightweight workout gear.  If you’re in a city with lots of shops and the weather is nice, you can get in a few miles while window shopping.  I used to do this a lot during layovers in San Francisco and navigating the hills gave me an extra good workout.

In Flight Attendant School, you’ll learn about the physical activity involved in being a flight attendant, which is true.  But if you’re in good shape, hauling that 20 pound bag into the overhead or holding up that baby until Mom retrieves the pacifier from the floor will seem like a breeze.

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When I saw a seemingly endless stream of gum-snapping tweens boarding a flight to San Diego, all decked out in matching soccer shirts, I knew it was going to be a rowdy afternoon. Don’t get me wrong – they were as cute and sweet as could be, but the talking, giggling and texting to friends two feet away was nonstop.

I was chatting with one of the girls who had a High School Musical notebook and happen to mention that I had gone to college with the mother of one of the cast members. BIG MISTAKE. Word spread quicker than wildfire and before I knew it, thirty 12-year olds were begging me to introduce them to Zac Efron.

In Flight Attendant School, you’re taught how to deal with unruly passengers, but I don’t recall a class on how to handle a pack of hormone-raging Zac Efron groupies. After I reassured him that I didn’t personally know any of the cast members, they very quickly lost interest (in me) and I was suddenly a lot less popular than I had been five minutes earlier.

A Flight Attendant Career will introduce you to all kinds of people and you’ll have quiet days, hectic days and days that will bring back fond memories of when you got that excited over a teenage boy with shaggy hair.

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Pet Peeves, we all have them. One Pet Peeve that you will find in your Flight Attendant Career is when the Seat Belt Sign has been illuminated.

Roll with the punches my friends, because this one could drive you crazy.

The airplane holds many passengers. Some of these people are doctors, some are attorneys, and some are moms and dads. An airplane nowadays is like a bus in the 60’s; every walk of life is trying to fly.

“Ladies and Gentlemen the Captain has illuminated the Fasten Seat Belt Sign.”

This is probably one of the easiest in flight announcements to remember during Flight Attendant School. It’s easy to say, sounds pretty clear to understand, and should be a simple announcement for our passengers to follow, right?

No, this announcement is like the Bizzaro Superman of announcements. You tell them to sit down, they stand up.

You tell them again, “Ladies and Gentlemen, for your safety and the people around you, please be seated. The Captain has illuminated the Fasten Seat Belt Sign,” a few more get up.

You have made the announcement, you have covered the airlines assets, but sometimes the reaction to this important Safety Command can still make you crazier than your mother- in -law on a long layover.

Turbulence is no joke. Passengers and Flight Crews have been severely hurt from Moderate, Severe, and Clear Air Turbulence.

Assets covered, you buckle up if it is called upon to do so, and you silently speak to those that are still on their feet.

My quiet little conversations to myself go something like this:

“Maybe when we hit the next gnarly plunge, the guy in the lavatory will need a crow bar to get him off the seat. I ain’t doing it, He’s gonna sit there, then he’ll learn.”

“Maybe, when that child starts flying like “Peter Pan” his parents might get the clue.”

Get the drift. Do the best you can do in this situation. Be safe, and make it a good day.

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I love spending time with my kids. But every now and then (actually at least every other week) I need some “me” time that has 3 criteria: adult conversation, a book to read that doesn’t have the word “Potter” in the title, and, a whole day completely free of Mac and Cheese.

A Flight Attendant Career gives me the opportunity to do all these things. A dinner out with the crew (and none of them throw their food!) or a chance to order room service and have a quiet dinner in my hotel room. The best part is someone is waiting on me for a change. Then I have time to take a peaceful bath, read a book or magazine and get a good night’s sleep. And, all of this in a 4 star hotel.

If there’s time the next day, I can shop or workout. When it’s time to return to the airport, a driver picks us up. Yes! Someone driving me around for a change.

In Flight Attendant School, our training staff told us how once off the clock on a trip, our time would be ours. I didn’t think about it much at the time, but I truly appreciate the time I get to myself and get pampered during a trip.

Like I said, I love my kids. Really, I do. But I also love having a Flight Attendant Career.

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I met my best friend, Lacy, in Flight Attendant School. That was 21 years ago. We sat next to each other in classes and immediately bonded because we had both grown up in Wisconsin and shared some of the same memories.

I also made fast friends with 2 other women from the same airline and between the 4 of us we’d been flight attendants for 75 years! We all still stay in touch and have shared stories of obnoxious kids, bad parents and celebrities we’d like to marry. (George Clooney voted in by all 4 of us!)

We talk all the time about careers, kids, growing old (gracefully, that is) and why we originally choose Flight Attendant Careers. For most of us, it was to travel and see parts of the world we knew we’d never see otherwise. All of us have outgoing personalities and we just like meeting new people too.

Once a year, we all get together for a weekend at a spa and reminisce about crew members who were great (or some not so great), the places we’ve seen, the schedules that required a 4:00 a.m. wake up call and how we wouldn’t have chosen any other career.

So when you’re in Flight Attendant School, hitting the books after a long day of classes, don’t forget to start up a conversation with the person next to you. You could look back decades later and be glad you did.

Popularity: 63% [?]

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I worked in the small non-profit sector for 5 years before switching to a Flight Attendant Career. Not only did I have to no longer worry about raising money to support my organization and pay my staff (and sometimes not myself), but I got one of the best employee benefits package there is.

In addition to travel benefits and meeting new people all the time, you’ll get to fly free or at a greatly reduced rate on other airlines as a standby passenger. You also receive a bucket load of discounts, including hotels and car rentals. The health benefits are the best, especially if you have children or if your spouse is self-employed as mine is. There’s the credit union with some of the lowest interest rates available, a 401K and stock options with some airlines.

Even when the days are long, I never take my benefits for granted because I had a previous career where I didn’t have those options.

Overall airline employee benefits will be covered in Flight Attendant School so take note. It may not seem that important when you’re in your 20’s, but will greatly payoff when all those adult responsibilities kick in.

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