Gone are the days when the cabin crew was predominantly female. Men have also found their way into this high-flying career, pun intended, making the sky their office as they take care of passengers. Male flight attendants currently make up about 25% of the cabin crew workforce, and the numbers are projected to grow in the coming years.
For men seeking to get into this exciting field, you’ll be glad to learn that the aviation world is opening up to and even encouraging male flight attendants.
Starting Your Career as an Air Steward: A Guide
There are many ways to refer to the inflight crew, such as cabin crew, flight attendant, air hostess, or steward. Of the four, flight attendant, often abbreviated as FA, is the most favored term as it’s gender-neutral. All these terms are, however, correct, and one can use them interchangeably.
Is flight attending a promising career for men? Most definitely. The traditional dominance of women in this line of work stems from the conventional belief that females are better at serving and taking care of people. The common idea is that they are beautiful and graceful while at it. Forget that. Men have, time and time again, proven that they can play the role just as well and look the part, too.
Being a flight attendant has many perks. What’s the best one at the top of your head? That’s right – imagine the opportunity to travel around the world and get paid for it! The chance to stay in hotels and experience different cities is just a dream to some, but as a flight attendant, this will be your everyday reality. You will interact with different people and cultures frequently. Some airlines also extend travel benefits to your family members. There’s no way they’ll say no to the opportunity to fly for free or at a discount a few times a year and enjoy discounted hotel rates, too.
Do you have a spontaneous and adventurous spirit? Hate feeling tied down to a 9-5 office job? This career is the perfect fit. Here, no two days are the same.
Air steward (male) applications in airlines across the world are in the thousands every year. How can you stand out from the pack? Below, we explore certain factors that will get you hired even without experience.
Understand the Job Description
There is so much more to a flight attendant job than serving food and pouring drinks. I hope you do not think of flight attending as a simple job with barely any pressure. If you get into the job with this mindset, you will feel overwhelmed within no time. Acknowledging the full range of cabin crew duties from the onset will help you prepare mentally for the task ahead. The job description of flight attendants includes:
- Welcome passengers and direct them to their seats.
- Read and demonstrate safety procedures.
- Ensure the safety and comfort of passengers.
- Offer first aid to any sick passenger.
- Carry out emergency evacuation should the need arise.
See? The list is so much more complex than pouring drinks. Not to worry, though. The airline will ensure that you receive adequate training to handle each task. Dealing with passengers is challenging, but the sight of happy, satisfied fliers at the end of a flight is worth the effort.
Assess the Requirements
Flight stewards are male and female, and application requirements differ from one airline to the other. Check out the career pages to figure out the criteria for becoming a flight attendant. Here, we look at some of the basic requirements that apply across nearly all airlines.
- 18 years and over
- High school diploma
- Good physical health
- Decent physical appearance
- Valid passport
- Negative drug test
- Police clearance
- Bilingual (an added advantage)
This list should help you prepare in advance. Apply for or renew your passport. Ensure that you’re cleared by the police; airlines generally frown upon people with a criminal background. Have you taken any drugs? Even regular drinking or smoking may dent your chances of getting hired.
You can’t possibly be taking care of customers when drunk or hungover, can you? Also, remember that the airplane is a strictly no-smoking zone. If you’re a regular smoker, you may want to explore how to drop the habit.
Flight attendants should have keen attention to detail, which you can only achieve with a sober mind. Drug tests are not only carried out during the initial assessment but periodically throughout your career (and often without prior notice).
As far as physical appearance is concerned, most airlines require that you have no visible tattoos or scars while in uniform. If you already have them, particularly on your arms or neck, you can opt for a procedure to have them removed or at least faded so they’re less visible. Oh, don’t forget that signature smile! If your teeth are a little out of line, you may want to get those fixed now. You may not be allowed to wear braces on the job.
The point here is that you can start getting ready in advance, ticking one box at a time, so you can be ready to grab the chance. Let the opportunity find you prepared.
Training Is Necessary
Most airlines train their own cabin crew, but you don’t have to wait to get there. So many are trying to get hired compared to a limited number of available positions. Being an air hostess for a male might be more challenging. Anything that you can do to give you an edge is worth the effort. There are independent aviation institutions that offer cabin crew training. The topics covered at these places include:
- Customer service
- Food and beverage
- Grooming
- Aircraft cabin facilities
- Aircraft safety procedures
- First aid
- Emergency handling
- Airline policies
Having such basic training is an added advantage to your resume. If you can’t find a college in your area or cannot afford it, online courses are a valid option, too.
Apply for the Job
Having fulfilled the above, it is now time to get down to the business of applying for a job. Create a list of all the airlines in your region. Some allow you to upload your resume at any time, while for others, you have to wait till there’s a vacancy.
The interview process involves checking for physical attributes, language proficiency, and general knowledge. Once hired, the specific airline will give you further orientation and training to familiarize yourself with its fleet, procedures, and policies.
It’s Time to Head to the Skies
In conclusion, let’s address the age factor. Whenever you’re looking for flight attendant (for men) opportunities, you’ll come across the notion that this job is only for the young. Is it, really?
You’ll be glad to know that men are starting this career in their 30s and even 40s and staying on till retirement. There are those who eventually transition to other roles in the airline, leaving the cabin crew duties to the younger guys. This is not mandatory, though. As long as you’re in good physical shape, you can take up this job to serve passengers and trot the globe while at it.