UP, UP AND AWAY: Students, left to right, Clare Flack, Gina Pearce and Rachel Ing with lecturer Sue Woodward at Norwich City College on the airline cabin crew course.

Airline cabin crew member

Answers supplied by Anni Waterhouse, course tutor of the airline cabin crew course
at City College, Norwich

What does the job entail?
The job involves looking after the safety, comfort and well-being of airline passengers. For each flight, you and your team will carry out pre-flight checks, security checks, welcome passengers on board, make announcements and give safety demonstrations, serve food and drink, provide in-flight sales service, assist passengers with required documentation, look after passengers with special requirements, and finally assist disembarkation. You will need to constantly update your health, safety and emergency procedures against the rare occasion when they might be needed.

What skills and qualifications are needed?
You must be over 18 years old and have good maths and C is preferred. You need to be well-groomed and have good communication skills. The ability to work as a team and to remain calm in a crisis is essential. The hours are flexible so good health and stamina is required and any previous customer care experience is valuable.

What type of person will fit in?
Anyone who has a genuine desire to help other people. You need an outgoing personality and the ability to relate to passengers from all walks of life and from all nations. You also need to be responsible, committed and be able to follow instructions

What are the pluses and minuses of the job?
The job is exciting, interesting and varied as no two flights are the same but the hours can be long and you need to be flexible with shifts. There is a great social life, working and sometimes staying over with different teams but it can be difficult to have a steady social life at home. There are many benefits, including free uniforms and discounted personal travel and there is wonderful job satisfaction. There are strict regulations and constant in-service updating is required. You do need to be prepared for a complete lifestyle

What opportunities exist for career progression?
Flying opportunities include progressing to become a senior flightpurser or a cabin crew services manager or on the ground you could move into recruitment and training or management.

What can I expect to earn?
Salaries are between £8,000 - £15,000

Any hints about getting a job in this area?
Enrol on the airline cabin crew course at Norwich City College. This is a one-year, full-time course which provides the industry acknowledged VQ in cabin crew along with other relevant qualifications to enhance your CV. Assessment takes place in aircraft mock-ups at London airports and links with airlines strengthen your interview chances in this highly competitive field. For further details on the course call Norwich (01603) 773391. Otherwise, write direct to all the airlines and watch national press for advertisements