Having worked with airlines since 1990, I've had the opportunity of
studying flight attendants.
The job is incredibly tough, it requires strong physical endurance, an
ability to act as a nursemaid, waitor, asylum warden and security
guard.
The hours are unpleasant.
One is exposed to all sorts of interesting bugs
- you need an alpha immune system
Rostering can be brutal - a few unpleasant shifts can knock out the best.
Generally new entrants are started off on short haul flights,
generally known as 'cattle runs', after very few flights even an
ingenue realizes that it is neither much fun or glamourous.
Airlines tend to put new people on short term contracts, those depend
on regional laws, but since they have an ample supply of new entrants,
those that go on permanent contracts are the cream of the year.
- ahem, pay rates don't come into it ... of course
Larger airlines tend to poach survivors of 'cattle runs', if someone
has survived two years on a charter (or domestic) then they could be
good for Long Haul.
Of course, a lot of airlines run seasonal routes, and take on staff
for the Summer, and lay them off for the Winter.
Being realistic, the majority of the intake consists of young,
attractive girls who have a high propensity to get pregnant or married
- or both.
In most of the airlines that I've got to know, it would only take a
word to /the/ couple of people running rostering to get someone to
quit within a fortnight.
- obviously there is no way that people are deliberately worn down to
the bone <grin> and favouritism does not exist <even bigger grin>.
It is a tough job, and I have the greatest respect for anyone who
survives a season, yet alone makes it a career. |
