| The Air Hostess and Flight Stewards (also referred to as cabin crew), are the first people to welcome passengers aboard an aircraft. They help them to supervise their seating arrangements and in arranging their hand baggage. They set about ensuring the safety-belt arrangements and demonstrate the use of emergency equipment. They make the necessary announcements over the public address system. Their duties and responsibilities start much before the arrival of the passengers by checking that blankets, pillows, magazines, newspapers, etc are in good order.
Air hostesses and flight stewards have to be on duty throughout the duration of the flight, looking after passengers in general and taking special care for air-sick travellers, sick children and babies and also the elderly people or very young who are travelling alone. They work continuously and efficiently during the flight in the confined space of the cabin with a good humour. Depending on the routes they fly, cabin crew may get to do a lot of sightseeing; the longer the route the higher are the chances of sightseeing as crews often change planes at "slip points" or step overs. At these times they stay at luxury hotels at the airlines expense.
After completing the initial screening of applicants, private airlines company may invite them for a written examination, usually of the objective type. Those who qualify in the written test have to appear for a group discussion followed by a personal interview of successful candidates.
Trainee cabin crew undergo training in catering, first aid, general airborne procedures, documentation (dealing with the flight documents they have to complete after each flight), use of the public address system and technical details of aircraft pressurization and ventilation. They are given lessons in the use of safety equipment and the emergency drill.
Airlines recruit cabin crew (air hostess/ flight stewards) on the basis of certain eligibility criteria:
1. Age : Below 25 years
2. Height: Minimum height should be 154.5-157.5 cm for air hostess and 170-180 cm for flight steward.
3. Weight: Proportionate to height as per the company"s standards.
4. Status: Unmarried
5. Vision: Preferably normal eyesight without glasses or minimum uncorrected vision should be 6/24 in each eye.
6. Educational: Graduate degree from a recognised university, or Plus Two/Equivalent with 3 year diploma in Hotel Management and Catering from a recognised institute.
7. Knowledge of the national language and at least one international language (English) is essential.
8. The applicant should be physically fit with a pleasing personality and clear complexion.
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