Over the years it has occurred to me that being a flight attendant is the most similar civilian figure to being a soldier. I am not kidding! See below all the incredible similarities these two have in common.
ON TIME PERFORMANCE
It is quite obvious that an on time performance is vital to the air traffic and to the customers satisfaction. Everything is pre organized in order to work smoothly, but there is always a human factor, as well as unexpected events that can delay the STD (scheduled time of departure). Lets focus on the human factor. Each crew is responsible of managing their own time and there is a say in aviation: if you are early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. It goes without saying...if you're late, don't even show up! 😅 Just kidding, you might still get a chance to get on board if you're fast enough to recover your lateness because in aviation there is always a buffer time. Still this should be an exception and every lateness will be recorded in your file.
You will learn about perfect timing from the very beginning in the aviation academy!
TRAINING ACADEMY
As the military have a training academy education that trains you specifically for the soldier role, likewise flight attendants have to attend aviation academy that shapes you exactly for the role of Cabin Crew. You cannot become a flight attendant without attending the academy, even if you have years of hospitality experience on your file. You will only attend aviation academy if you want to become a flight attendant and no other role. Even though what you learn in there will come handy for a possible career change in the future.
UNIFORM
Both flight attendants and soldiers have uniforms. It helps identification both among themselves and for the "others". Especially in case of an emergency, you want to know who your crew is. Personally I find it both attractive and comfortable: no need to think how to dress every single day! Besides, some airlines adopt quite a military like uniform, while others prefer to be more fashionable. After all, it all started with the war back in the 30s: air force needed nurses on board and these first flight attendants would have a similar uniform to them!
EQUIPMENT
Obviously I am talking about different type of equipment and here is the main difference between the civil role of flight attendant and a soldier. We are using fire extinguishers, fire gloves, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen devices, but also crash axes, radio transmitters and survival kits. No weapons on board please!
FIRST AID
Both roles are first aid trained, main reason being that we can only rely on ourselves and our team during the mission, I MEAN flight. 😁 Well yeah, some flights are mission impossible!
SELF DEFENCE
Some airlines teach their Crew basics of self defense. As I previously said, you will not become an expert in martial arts, but you might just not fall from the 7th cloud in case someone attacks you. Incredibly that can happen!
HIERARCHY
Very very important! The above mentioned uniform will differentiate seniority and that is more relevant for the army/aviation themselves rather than for the outside world. But in case of emergency the rank will be vital for the timely action, good organization and order. It can make a difference between a success and failure.
NUMBERS
Until you reach seniority and a certain position in a hierarchy of a flight attendant job, you are most likely just a number for the company. And the numbers are sometimes big! You can be easily replaced, so you'll have to work hard to become more valuable.
TEAMWORK
It is not about individuals, but about teamwork. Even the best of leaders wouldn't have made it by himself/herself. Leadership is important, but teamwork even more in these industries.
FLEXIBILITY
This is a wide range characteristic that goes from accepting last minute changes of your roster, departure time, destination, colleagues, aircraft type etc to flexible timings like night shifts. Cabin Crew is expected to accept it with a smile, a soldier with a "YES, SIR"!
AVAILABILITY
Except the night shift, you will be requested to work on weekends, holidays, birthdays and anytime the company needs you. Usually it is pre-settled, but sometimes it can be last minute arranged. It goes along with the flexibility. It is quite common for both flight attendant and soldiers to be missing on important occasions. What to do?
LONE WOLF
Alone among thousands, that the usual Crew life. Either you learn how to be a lonely wolf or you suffer loneliness! Technically you are surrounded by people at all times and even too many people. But it is not YOUR people. That's the reason why Crew learn how to click among each other quite fast. Your Crew becomes your family. As for the soldiers.
PRESSURE
It is vital for both roles to learn how to work under pressure. How to control emotions and ponder reactions. When everyone goes rogue, you shall be the calm one.
INSURANCE
Being this both jobs quite risky, an insurance plan is covering both in case of injuries or death. There are some privileges to it and it is well deserved.
BENEFITS
There are some additional benefits to both this roles like special discounts all around the world. For the flight attendants staff traveling perks go under this category!
TRAVELING THE WORLD
Even though for different reasons, both this roles travel the world! Well I don't know how much a soldier gets to visit a station where they're bound for a mission, but a flight attendant definitely does! But nowadays layovers are getting shorter and shorter, so often visiting the city means cutting on your legal rest. Both after reaching the destination and before flying back to base. But its still hell of an adrenaline!
ON TIME PERFORMANCE
It is quite obvious that an on time performance is vital to the air traffic and to the customers satisfaction. Everything is pre organized in order to work smoothly, but there is always a human factor, as well as unexpected events that can delay the STD (scheduled time of departure). Lets focus on the human factor. Each crew is responsible of managing their own time and there is a say in aviation: if you are early, you're on time. If you're on time, you're late. It goes without saying...if you're late, don't even show up! 😅 Just kidding, you might still get a chance to get on board if you're fast enough to recover your lateness because in aviation there is always a buffer time. Still this should be an exception and every lateness will be recorded in your file.
You will learn about perfect timing from the very beginning in the aviation academy!
TRAINING ACADEMY
As the military have a training academy education that trains you specifically for the soldier role, likewise flight attendants have to attend aviation academy that shapes you exactly for the role of Cabin Crew. You cannot become a flight attendant without attending the academy, even if you have years of hospitality experience on your file. You will only attend aviation academy if you want to become a flight attendant and no other role. Even though what you learn in there will come handy for a possible career change in the future.
UNIFORM
Both flight attendants and soldiers have uniforms. It helps identification both among themselves and for the "others". Especially in case of an emergency, you want to know who your crew is. Personally I find it both attractive and comfortable: no need to think how to dress every single day! Besides, some airlines adopt quite a military like uniform, while others prefer to be more fashionable. After all, it all started with the war back in the 30s: air force needed nurses on board and these first flight attendants would have a similar uniform to them!
 |
| Cabin Crew uniform |
EQUIPMENT
Obviously I am talking about different type of equipment and here is the main difference between the civil role of flight attendant and a soldier. We are using fire extinguishers, fire gloves, oxygen bottles, portable oxygen devices, but also crash axes, radio transmitters and survival kits. No weapons on board please!
FIRST AID
Both roles are first aid trained, main reason being that we can only rely on ourselves and our team during the mission, I MEAN flight. 😁 Well yeah, some flights are mission impossible!
SELF DEFENCE
Some airlines teach their Crew basics of self defense. As I previously said, you will not become an expert in martial arts, but you might just not fall from the 7th cloud in case someone attacks you. Incredibly that can happen!
HIERARCHY
Very very important! The above mentioned uniform will differentiate seniority and that is more relevant for the army/aviation themselves rather than for the outside world. But in case of emergency the rank will be vital for the timely action, good organization and order. It can make a difference between a success and failure.
NUMBERS
Until you reach seniority and a certain position in a hierarchy of a flight attendant job, you are most likely just a number for the company. And the numbers are sometimes big! You can be easily replaced, so you'll have to work hard to become more valuable.
TEAMWORK
It is not about individuals, but about teamwork. Even the best of leaders wouldn't have made it by himself/herself. Leadership is important, but teamwork even more in these industries.
FLEXIBILITY
This is a wide range characteristic that goes from accepting last minute changes of your roster, departure time, destination, colleagues, aircraft type etc to flexible timings like night shifts. Cabin Crew is expected to accept it with a smile, a soldier with a "YES, SIR"!
AVAILABILITY
Except the night shift, you will be requested to work on weekends, holidays, birthdays and anytime the company needs you. Usually it is pre-settled, but sometimes it can be last minute arranged. It goes along with the flexibility. It is quite common for both flight attendant and soldiers to be missing on important occasions. What to do?
LONE WOLF
Alone among thousands, that the usual Crew life. Either you learn how to be a lonely wolf or you suffer loneliness! Technically you are surrounded by people at all times and even too many people. But it is not YOUR people. That's the reason why Crew learn how to click among each other quite fast. Your Crew becomes your family. As for the soldiers.
PRESSURE
It is vital for both roles to learn how to work under pressure. How to control emotions and ponder reactions. When everyone goes rogue, you shall be the calm one.
INSURANCE
Being this both jobs quite risky, an insurance plan is covering both in case of injuries or death. There are some privileges to it and it is well deserved.
BENEFITS
There are some additional benefits to both this roles like special discounts all around the world. For the flight attendants staff traveling perks go under this category!
TRAVELING THE WORLD
Even though for different reasons, both this roles travel the world! Well I don't know how much a soldier gets to visit a station where they're bound for a mission, but a flight attendant definitely does! But nowadays layovers are getting shorter and shorter, so often visiting the city means cutting on your legal rest. Both after reaching the destination and before flying back to base. But its still hell of an adrenaline!
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