Ever wondered what it’s like to work as a flight attendant? Flying over the continents to exotic locations but in reality becoming a flight attendant requires mastering five different professions and getting selected amongst thousands of applicants. A Russian flight attendant Elizaveta Andreeva shared her story of how she became a flight attendant.
Elizaveta Andreeva graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and speaks three languages fluently. She has been in the crew of a well-known international airline for about two years and during this time she has visited 45 countries — from New Zealand and Jamaica to Mauritius and South Africa.
On board the airliner, the flight attendant has to be able to do everything: pacify a violent passenger, deliver a baby, and even be able to perform artificial respiration and other first aid requirements.
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Longest job interview
“It was probably the longest interview in my life,” Elizaveta told RIA Novosti in an interview. “I went in at nine in the morning and left at eight in the evening,” she added.
Previously, an airline interview for flight attendants was held every two months in Moscow and St. Petersburg. However, now the application is closed because the staff is full. So out of one and a half thousand online applications, about 130 candidates are selected.
Students of aviation college study during three months
They then, have to go through five full-time stages of job interviews after which only four people will be hired.
The job interviews include full psychological analysis by psychologists, task solving approach and language tests.
Training and other factors
For the crew only the lower age limit is stipulated which is 21 years. This is due primarily to the fact that under the law of the country where the airline is based, alcohol can be sold only from the age of 21, and, of course, there is always alcohol on board the aircraft.
Typically, the onboard team consists of young recruits in their mid twenties and early thirties. However, according to Elizaveta, in the Emirates Airlines there are flight attendants who are well over 40.
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“The study in the college lasts only three months, but the program there is very intense,” Elizaveta said. “The classes started at five in the morning and we almost spent the night at the training center. It seemed that you master five professions at once: you are a nanny, a nurse and a psychologist.”
Students are also explained what should be done in the event of an airplane hijacking and what to do if a bomb was found on board, how to minimize damage to the aircraft and the black box.
100 hours of flight time
Talking about flying all over the world, Elizaveta said, “You face so many passengers that you become super-tolerant — nothing surprises you anymore.”
The journeys are long and physically tiring. During long flights, flight attendants work without getting more than just 4 hours of sleep. “Of course, it all pays off with new impressions and constant travels,” the flight attendant said.
Elizabeth Andreyeva's preparation for a flight
“However, physically it's very hard. I did not have a single flight yet where I landed and did not say, ‘God, how tired I am.’ The lack of sleep alternates with a long rest. One day my body set a record and I slept for 18 hours straight,” she added.
On an average month the crew spends up to 100 flight hours with eight days off. The salary of the flight attendant consists of four parts: a fixed amount, bonuses for flight hours, business trip’s payments and a 10 percent interest from sales of the Duty Free items on board.
From the skies to the ground
Many crew members combine work in the sky and on the ground: they fly for two months, then work in the office, at the airport or teach in college for two.
Elizabeth Andreyeva (Left) in the aviation college Emirates
Elizaveta would like to try working as a recruiter in the future. It would include some trips where she will go and select people for work.
Stewardess Elizabeth Andreyeva
“I'm terribly tired, but for the time being I like it. I understand that it's impossible to do all of this my whole life and that my health has a limit, but as long as age and time permit me, I can travel and see the world,” the flight attendant said.
