Flight Attendants Undergo Rigorous Training to Ensure Passenger Safety
As the airline industry continues to grapple with high-profile maintenance issues and crashes, flight anxiety among passengers has skyrocketed in recent years. However, behind the scenes, flight attendants are undergoing extensive training to prepare for emergencies, from firefighting to water evacuations. Despite their crucial role in ensuring passenger safety, flight attendants are often overlooked and underappreciated.
The origins of the flight attendant profession date back to the 1930s, when a nurse named Ellen Church suggested that airlines hire nurses to calm nervous passengers. The first group of flight attendants, known as the "Original Eight," were all nurses who were hired by United Airlines to provide medical care and reassurance to passengers. Over the years, the role of the flight attendant has evolved to include more complex safety procedures, such as water landings and evacuations.
In the 1960s and 1970s, flight attendants were often sexualized and objectified, with airlines investing in designer uniforms and emphasizing the physical appearance of their crew members. However, with the rise of the women's liberation movement, flight attendants began to push back against these restrictions and fight for greater respect and equality.
Today, flight attendants undergo rigorous training to prepare for emergency situations, including fires, medical emergencies, and evacuations. At Qatar Airways' training facility in Doha, new recruits undergo an eight-week training program that includes instruction in firefighting, first aid, and emergency procedures. Seasoned crew members are also required to return to the facility every 12 months for a refresher course.
The training is highly specialized and emphasizes the importance of quick thinking and decisive action in emergency situations. As a veteran safety instructor at Qatar Airways explained, "We call it blood priority. And it sounds very morbid, but things change when people die or a major accident happens." The airline industry invests heavily in training and safety procedures to prevent such accidents from occurring in the first place.
As the demand for air travel continues to grow, the importance of well-trained flight attendants cannot be overstated. By understanding the rigorous training and preparation that goes into becoming a flight attendant, passengers can gain a new appreciation for the critical role that these professionals play in ensuring their safety and well-being.
As the training session continues, Pek Har emphasizes the importance of quick and efficient evacuation procedures. "All the way. Don't hold anything. Constantly walk out, walk out, walk out, walk out, and go," he instructs. With decades of experience, trainers like Pek Har and Celine are well-versed in the intricacies of emergency situations.
Celine explains that the crew's safety is of utmost importance, and measures such as paddings and deceleration pads are in place to protect them from falls and other hazards. "We protect our crew very much," she says. "There are paddings down here to ensure that they are protected from the fall, and the deceleration pads in the middle of the slide and at the bottom of the slide is to ensure that they don't fly off."
The trainers also stress the importance of leaving all personal belongings behind during an evacuation. This is a crucial aspect of safety, as it can significantly impact the speed and efficiency of the evacuation process. In fact, experts point to the 2019 Aeroflot plane crash in Russia, where 41 people lost their lives, as an example of how crucial it is to prioritize evacuation over personal belongings.
Passengers are also advised to remove any high-heeled shoes before sliding down the emergency chute, as they can puncture the slide and cause injuries. Meanwhile, flight attendants are trained to stay calm and composed, even in the most chaotic of situations. As a Delta Air Lines emergency trainer drills during simulations, "Stay seated! Stay seated! Stay seated! Release seat belts!"
In Atlanta, Delta Air Lines flight attendants are undergoing rigorous training, including simulations of emergency landings on water. The airline uses a 767 mock-up to practice these scenarios, which are extremely rare but require precise and swift action. The last time a water landing occurred in the US was in 2009, when a US Airways flight from New York landed in the Hudson River. Miraculously, everyone on board survived, thanks in large part to the quick thinking and training of the flight attendants.
To become a flight attendant, one must undergo rigorous training and demonstrate a high level of physical and mental fitness. As Taylor notes, "So if you can't swim, then you can't be a flight attendant. A lot of the times they have to show that they could physically carry a full-size body through the water, put it on a raft, and get someone out of the water in case you have a water landing." Despite the challenges, many people aspire to become cabin crew, with 65,000 applicants vying for just 5,000 Delta flight attendant positions in 2023.
The starting salary for a Delta flight attendant is $35,000, with health benefits and discounted flights. However, senior flight attendants can earn upwards of $100,000 or more. As Henry points out, "They are the first and sometimes last line of defense when there is a safety problem, a security problem in the cabin. And, oh, yes, in between, when things are normal, they're there to provide cabin service."
In Singapore, business-class flight attendants are undergoing a mock service, known as a dry run, to perfect their skills. Nurzaharah binte Johari, or Zara, is guiding 20 trainees through the exercise, emphasizing attention to detail and precise technique. "One person handling everyone during the dry run can be quite challenging," she notes.
As the training progresses, the stakes become increasingly high. Flight attendants must be able to think on their feet, make quick decisions, and prioritize the safety of their passengers. It's a demanding job, both physically and mentally, but for those who are up to the challenge, it can be a highly rewarding career.
At Qatar Airways, flight attendants are also undergoing rigorous training, including a wet run with real food. Sachini, a veteran cabin crew member, is teaching trainees how to plate a new menu for business class, which includes caviar. "All right, so you have to be very gentle with the little pearls when you're doing the plating," she instructs.
As the trainees practice serving the food in the business-class mock-up, they must also pay attention to their appearance, from their hair and makeup to their manicures and shoes. Daina Haughton, a trainee from Jamaica, notes that it takes time and practice to perfect the look. "I just take it, twist it, and just start forming the bun," she says, demonstrating her hair styling technique.
For Daina, becoming a flight attendant is a dream come true. "I'm from Jamaica, so I'm from a very small island in the Caribbean, and you don't go out much, or you don't see much of the world," she says. "I think, growing up, that was one of my dream jobs, and you see anybody who's working with airlines as basically like superheroes."
As the training comes to a close, it's clear that becoming a flight attendant requires a unique combination of physical and mental skills, as well as a strong attention to detail and a commitment to safety. For those who are up to the challenge, it can be a highly rewarding career, with opportunities to travel the world and make a real difference in the lives of others.
In conclusion, the world of flight attendants is one of meticulous grooming standards, intense training, and a deep commitment to safety. As we've seen, their jobs have become increasingly challenging, with the rise of air rage, turbulent flights, and grueling work schedules. However, despite these challenges, flight attendants remain the unsung heroes of the aviation industry, often putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of their passengers.
The statistics are reassuring: flying is still the safest way to travel, with fatalities dropping 76% since the 1990s. But as we've heard from experts, there are concerns about the shortage of air traffic controllers, near misses, and lapses in air traffic control technology. It's crucial that we learn from past mistakes and take steps to improve air traffic control to prevent such incidents from happening again.
So, what can you do as a passenger to stay safe? Pay attention to the safety briefing, wear your seatbelt, and leave your belongings behind in case of an evacuation. If you're in an exit row, take the time to read the card and understand your role in case of an emergency. These simple actions could save your life.
As we take to the skies, let's not forget the men and women who are working tirelessly to keep us safe. They are the last line of defense in case of an emergency, and their training and dedication are what make air travel possible. So, next time you're on a flight, take a moment to appreciate the flight attendants who are working hard to ensure your safety. They may be taking punches from disgruntled passengers, but they're also saving lives. And that's a story worth telling.
