Ours was the only plane at the ramp after the Boeing departed to return to New Orleans. I was on my own as stewardess for the DC-3, an airplane with two engines, and all mine from the cockpit door to the aft galley. No commercial aircraft could fly over Panama at night, to protect the Canal. We left New Orleans at night and Merida in the darkness of early morning, as all flights to Panama had to arrive before sunset. The flight was scheduled to Panama, making several stops in Central America. We left Merida, Mexico, in the Yucatan Peninsula, after connecting via the Boeing-307 flown down from New Orleans. The DC-3 held a complement of 21 passengers, three cockpit crew, and one cabin attendant. It happened back in 1945 when I was a new stewardess flying over Guatemala. I might almost believe it from my own experience. The DC-3 was so dependable pilots swore it could land on a postage stamp. Pilots liked the DC-3 for its proficiency and ease, giving them a "hands on wheel" feel to flying, with instruments used as an aid rather than a control. Instead, earth's features could be seen-curves of mountains, colors of lakes, cars moving on roads, ocean waves crashing upon shores, and cloud formations as a sea of popcorn and powder puffs.
Stuardess half wing windows#
From its windows one seldom looked upon a flat, hazy, distant surface to the world. Without pressurization or apt sound proofing, it flew low and slow compared to larger planes to come. Most airlines called the DC-3 the "old Douglas workhorse", the reliability of which kept the owners in business. Digging a key out of a fern pot, I unlocked the screen door, lay upon the glider again to drift back in time. I only heard an engine hum that had awakened memories and a tight feeling in my heart. I looked toward what little sky could be seen between oak tree branches, but I saw no aircraft. I had been resting on the porch glider when disturbed by a distant drone that triggered an impulse to rise and take notice. The screen door slammed shut and locked as I ran down the steps of my family home. Hear it? Hear it?" As if all in the world were listening, when no one was around. You won't be on call every minute.Taken from the book with permission "As Pistons You're paid for the time that you're on reserve, and the airline typically assigns you specific days to be on call. New flight attendants typically spend at least one year on reserve status, though certain airlines or cities may require flight attendants to spend up to five years on reserve status, or "on call." You'll have to keep your overnight bag packed, since you will have to report to work at a moment's notice to replace absent crew members or cover extra flights.
While there will be some opportunities to work, you won't have a regular schedule yet, and it will be a while before you get to fly some of the more desirable routes. How long depends on the airline you're working for and which hub you're working out of, but it could be anywhere from a few months to a few years. With your training complete and your certificate in hand, you may think you'll soon be jetting all over the world and earning a living at the same time. Good listening skills will allow you to understand and meet customers' needs. Stressful situations call for strong customer service and problem-solving skills. You will need excellent communication skills, because you will spend a lot of time interacting with passengers and other members of your flight crew. What you learn during your training will prepare you for the technical aspects of your job as a flight attendant, but your soft skills are just as important. Dress professionally, and be prepared to discuss why you would be an excellent choice to represent the airline. For example, the airline may start with a phone screening or group interview before proceeding to a one-on-one interview.
Visible tattoos are typically not allowed unless they can be concealed with makeup.īe prepared to complete multiple interviews. You will also need to pass a background check and a pre-employment drug screening. They also require attendants to be able to sit in a jumpseat and complete a range of physical tasks, like pushing, pulling, bending, and lifting with reasonable accommodation. Airlines typically have minimum and maximum heights. If you want to become a flight attendant, consider gaining relevant experience in customer service by working in a hotel, resort, or restaurant.įlight attendants must also meet specific physical requirements. Employers often prefer job candidates who have work experience in a related field.
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