If you have ever boarded an airplane, you would have seen cabin crew members, but have you thought about what their lives are like on the flight you are on? As a passenger, you will see their charming smiles and fast service, but a fly crew’s life is much more than what you see.
They wake up early in the morning and even have to do late night shifts at times, working around the clocks to make sure your journey as a passenger is safe, comfortable, and enjoyable. In this blog, we will take a closer look at the flight crew's daily routine and look at all the hard work, commitment, and preparation that goes into every flight you board.
The life of a flight attendant and cabin crew is anything but ordinary. Their lives will usually be very unpredictable with long hours and routine tasks as well as unexpected challenges.
Monthly Schedule of Flights
Flight crews don’t have a 9 to 5 job like most of us. They usually have irregular schedules which can be very different each month. A crew member might have a couple of short domestic flights one week and then have a week-long series of long-haul international flights.
These hectic schedules of crew members are planned weeks ahead but there can also be last-minute changes to them. Flexibility is an important trait every crew member needs to have since they have to get used to new routes, time zones, and flight durations.
Packing Their Suitcase
Being able to pack a suitcase is an art for fly crew life. Compared to regular travelers, they have to be ready for a lot of places, different climates, and layovers that take a lot of time. They pack their suitcases carefully with:
Packing their suitcases in an efficient way is a skill every crew member needs to master because they have to live out of their suitcases for days.
Hair And Makeup
Looking presentable is a huge part of a flight crew’s daily routine. Before starting their flights, crew members will spend time making their appearance meet the airline’s standards. For a lot of them, this can mean hair that is styled neatly, minimal but polished makeup, and a uniform that is ironed perfectly. It is not just about looking their best since they have to represent the airline and have a professional image for passengers.
Getting Briefed
Before you start any flight, the crew will gather for a briefing session. In this session, they will get important information that is related to how many passengers there are, special requests they need to cater to, weather conditions, and any potential challenges they might have to face. In the briefing, the team will also bond by discussing roles and making sure everyone is on the same page as them. It is important to step up if airlines want to have a smooth and safe flight.
Checking The Airplane Before the Guests Arrive
When the briefing is done, the crew will go to the airport to prepare for boarding. This means checking the cabin to make sure everything is okay. They check the safety equipment, see if an emergency exists and is in workable condition, and make sure the seats, overhead bins, and lavatories are clean and functional. This pre-flight check is important to ensure the safety and comfort of their passengers.
Starting Service After Take-Off
Once the plane is in the air, the airline crew’s work schedule will shift towards taking care of the passengers. This is where crew members’ hospitality skills come out:
Taking Care of Your Side of The Plan
All the cabin crew’s job responsibilities are divided into sections and each member needs to take care of a specific part of a cabin. Airlines do this so every passenger can get the proper attention and assistance they need.
The crew are always on their feet to make sure everyone enjoys their flight, either helping someone with their luggage, answering questions from the passengers or giving extra blankets around.
A fly crew’s life is more than just serving meals and drinks. They are trained professionals who are responsible for the safety, comfort, and well-being of every passenger on the flight. Some of their key responsibilities are mentioned below:
Getting Ready for Boarding
As passengers start boarding the plane, the crew is already in a position to greet them. This is the first interaction the passengers have with the crew, and it sets the tone for the entire flight.
Greet And Seating the Passengers
A warm smile and a friendly greeting make a big difference. The crew welcomes all the passengers onboard, gives them a hand with seating, and helps those that need extra help, like the old passengers, or families that have small children. They also make sure that carry-on luggage is properly stored so they can avoid any safety hazards.
Giving Guests Guidelines on Emergency Landing And Flight Turbulence
Safety is a top priority in cabin crew job responsibilities. Before the plane takes off, the crew will show the passengers safety procedures:
Giving First Aid and Medical Assistance
Flight crews are also trained to take care of any medical emergencies that might come up. Whether someone has a small issue, like a headache, or a serious issue, they know how to give first aid and help passengers until the plane is able to land and they can get professional medical help. The training they receive helps them in being calm and effective in situations that are high-pressure.
Serving Meals and Drinks
Imagine getting handwritten boarding passes in 2024 on one of the year's busiest One of the most seen parts of a fly crew’s life is when they serve meals and drinks. This means they have to prepare and distribute food, keep special dietary requests in mind and make sure that everyone is happy with the food. This job becomes more demanding on a long flight since crew members have to balance being efficient while keeping a happy face.
Selling Food and Duty-free Goods
On some flights, you will find that the crew also sell snacks, drinks, and items that are duty-free. When this happens, a flight crew’s daily routine will include managing inventory, handling all the cash and card transactions, and promoting the products to the passengers. It is an added responsibility that needs good sales skills and attention to detail.
Keeping The Passengers Seated and Calm
The crew plays an important role in making sure the passengers are calm and seated when there is turbulence and other challenging issues. They will calm down travelers that are nervous, give updates on the flight’s status to anyone who asks, and make sure that everyone is safe.
Creating Flight Reports
After the flight is finished, the crew will get started on writing detailed reports and will add any incidents, issues that passengers had, or any concerns they have about maintenance. These reports are important because they maintain safety standards and improve the overall quality of the flight for everyone.
Maintaining And Promoting Certain Image of The Airlines
A fly crew’s life means being the faces of the airlines they work at. If you are a flight attendant, you will also play an important role in promoting and maintaining the airline’s unique image and brand.
The next time you want to board a plane, take one moment to admire the crew members who are working around the clock behind the scenes to make your flight a memorable experience. A fly crew’s life is a mix of hard work, dedication, and a love for service.
From the preparations in the early mornings to the final checks after the airplane lands, their days are filled with responsibilities that involve passengers having a safe and pleasant journey. This can also mean guiding you on how to get compensation for a delayed flight.
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, consumer complaints against airlines have increased by a whopping 300%. The most common complaint was not getting a refund for their canceled flight while the second was about flight delays and cancellations.
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