The Memphis CA a few years ago (pre 9/11, obviously) noted that NWA had FAs w/o high school diplomas. Don't recall GED but I believe not... So it's very clear that the employers believe this is a low-skill job.

The whole 'there for your safety' thing is silly - how many hundreds or thousands of flights have we all been on when no safety maneuver was required? And if it had been required, would you have wanted a NWA Pacific route FA of a certain age leading the way?