9781422276662

Is This Job Right for You? To find out if being a flight attendant is a good fit for you, read each of the following questions and answer “Yes” or “No.” Yes No 1. Do you like to travel, and are you comfortable with flying? Yes No 2. Do you remain calm under duress? Yes No 3. Are you poised, patient, and presentable? Yes No 4. Can you assert yourself and take charge when necessary? Yes No 5. Do you enjoy talking to strangers? Yes No 6. Do you prefer a varied work schedule? Yes No 7. Are you a good listener? Yes No 8. Do you enjoy working on your feet, and are you physically fit? Yes No 9. Could you work in a confined space for long stretches of time? Yes No 10. Are you interested in the well-being and comfort of others? If you answered “Yes” to most of the questions, you may have what it takes to be a flight attendant. To find out more about this profession, read on. What’s the Work Like? Regardless of what airline you work for, a flight attendant’s primary responsibility is to en- sure the safety of his or her passengers. Airlines are required by law to enforce certain safety regulations , such as fastening seat belts and making sure that there is no smoking on board. It is the flight attendant’s job to ensure that all in-flight rules and regulations are followed. Flight attendants spend a con- siderable amount of time providing customers with drinks and duty- free items, so passengers tend to forget the importance of a flight at- tendant’s job. In many ways, flight attendants are the unsung heroes of the air. During roughweather condi- tions, they care for sick or anxious passengers. They also administer TALKING MONEY Flight attendants earn a median salary of $48,500, according to 2016 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statis- tics. However, the pay scale for flight atten- dants varies greatly by carrier and a flight at- tendant’s level of experience. The lowest-paid attendants earned less than of $26,570, while the highest-paid 10 percent of flight atten- dants made more than $78,650.

• HOSPITALITY & HUMAN SERVICES

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