Had no idea flight attendants went thru so much training
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 197
Had no idea flight attendants went thru so much training
I just ran across an article on jaunted, about singapore air's practice facilities. I know its not delta, but I thought some of y'all may think its interesting.
Here is the link. (Let me know if I can't post this sorta stuff.)
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/6/...apore+Airlines
Here is the link. (Let me know if I can't post this sorta stuff.)
http://www.jaunted.com/story/2012/6/...apore+Airlines
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,093
Moderator, please move to TravelBuzz.
And yes, they go through so much training and have to go to recurrent training at least once a year. What's scary is that with all that training, the flight attendants in the US aren't paid that well.
And yes, they go through so much training and have to go to recurrent training at least once a year. What's scary is that with all that training, the flight attendants in the US aren't paid that well.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: Fallen Plats, ex-WN CP, DYKWIW; still a Hilton Diamond & Club Cholula™ R.I.P. Super Plats
Posts: 25,415
Check out this site where you will see many of us in Delta's facilities in 2009 (it's been 3 years, sorry about any broken links):
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
#4
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: DFW,TX USA
Programs: Lifetime Platinum Marriott
Posts: 1,567
It is not that they have an inherit value. Working for the airline and the training provided is what makes them of any value. And also easily replaceable.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Atlanta, GA (KATL)
Programs: Delta SkyMiles KM, Sky Club/Priority Pass, SPG Gold, HHonors Gold
Posts: 458
Check out this site where you will see many of us in Delta's facilities in 2009 (it's been 3 years, sorry about any broken links):
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: LAS
Programs: United Gold, Bonvoy Titanium, Hilton Gold, Wyndham Diamond, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 601
When I was an FA, not only was initial training very intense, but you didn't get paid for it *unless you successfully completed it*. I've heard from some current FAs that their airlines don't even pay their room and board during initial training anymore.
Now, you may ask, why would a person want to put themselves through such crazy training for no pay, and for very little reward afterward?
It can be best summed up by this little scene that occurred on the first day of training for me. We all walked into our training class and sat down. There was a woman on the floor, nicely dressed in high heels, stockings, skirt-suit, but knees on the ground, rear-end to us, searching frantically for something. After a few minutes, someone piped up: "Can we help you find something?"
"I'm looking for the glamour in the job. I haven't found any in 15 years, but I'll keep looking."
It's not a glamourous job. It's not "fun". It's work. And no matter what propaganda the FA's try to spew down your throats, no, a flight attendant's job is not for the health and wellbeing of the passengers (nor are you a waitress in the sky). Yes, we were trained for that, but it's more a Customer Service position - you need to be able to keep people happy and calm, by whatever means at your disposal, because you're entirely on your own up there. It takes a special kind of training (and people) to think and act quickly and independently, without the need for external management.
And - to be able to adapt to an ever changing work environment. Your team rotates on a constant basis. Who you fly with today won't necessarily be on your crew tomorrow, so you need to be able to trust their training and their abilities.
So, the pay sucks, but the training is invaluable.
Now, you may ask, why would a person want to put themselves through such crazy training for no pay, and for very little reward afterward?
It can be best summed up by this little scene that occurred on the first day of training for me. We all walked into our training class and sat down. There was a woman on the floor, nicely dressed in high heels, stockings, skirt-suit, but knees on the ground, rear-end to us, searching frantically for something. After a few minutes, someone piped up: "Can we help you find something?"
"I'm looking for the glamour in the job. I haven't found any in 15 years, but I'll keep looking."
It's not a glamourous job. It's not "fun". It's work. And no matter what propaganda the FA's try to spew down your throats, no, a flight attendant's job is not for the health and wellbeing of the passengers (nor are you a waitress in the sky). Yes, we were trained for that, but it's more a Customer Service position - you need to be able to keep people happy and calm, by whatever means at your disposal, because you're entirely on your own up there. It takes a special kind of training (and people) to think and act quickly and independently, without the need for external management.
And - to be able to adapt to an ever changing work environment. Your team rotates on a constant basis. Who you fly with today won't necessarily be on your crew tomorrow, so you need to be able to trust their training and their abilities.
So, the pay sucks, but the training is invaluable.
#7
Moderator: Hilton Honors forums
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Marietta, Georgia, United States
Posts: 24,989
Thread Alert
Check out this site where you will see many of us in Delta's facilities in 2009 (it's been 3 years, sorry about any broken links):
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
There was a repeat in 2010, somebody might have that link handy ...
Here is the link to the official Internet web site of the 2010 Delta Air Lines FlyerTalk Event, and the official FlyerTalk discussion of the event.
Here's a link to pics from the 2010 event that someone posted on FT: http://jamesgregory.smugmug.com/The-Second-Annual-Delta
As well-liked and as hard-working are the flight attendants of Delta Air Lines, there are flight attendants from other airlines who train and work hard as well, and would possibly like to contribute to and participate in this discussion.
Regards,
Canarsie
Co-Moderator, Delta SkyMiles forum