Anyone who has been on a flight is sure to have experienced the terrific service of flight attendants. With their ever-pleasant demeanour, friendly chats, and readiness to help, it’s easy to forget that flight attendants are not just highly trained in providing top-class service, but also in many other aspects of flight operations.
People often think that pilots are the driving forces behind every flight – while they are not wrong, many are oblivious to the fact that flight attendants are, too, crucial in ensuring the success of flights.
Not All About Service
Service, as most people have seen, is the most commonly understood role of flight attendants. However, there are two other aspects of flight operations that flight attendants are highly skilled in.
Safety, in terms of flight operations, refers to the condition of the aircraft in reference to its surroundings; it is one of three major responsibilities of flight attendants. Apart from being well-versed with safety procedures, flight attendants are highly capable of performing under pressure. In the event of a safety incident, they are expected to maintain orderliness, while looking after the wellbeing of each passenger. The skills of a flight attendant can, quite literally, save lives. In a heroic act of courage, Aeroflot flight attendant, Tatyana Kasatkina risked her life to evacuate passengers who were trapped in burning Sukhoi Superjet-100, which had burst into flames after crashing in Moscow, in 2019.
Besides ensuring the comfort and safety of passengers, flight attendants must also consider the security of the flight. Though oftentimes confused with safety, security refers to protection from more deliberate threats. For example, an uncooperative passenger could compromise the safety of the flight. Flight attendants are adept in handling situations with difficult passengers, and are required to maintain composure at all times.
A Workplace Like No Other
Being responsible for the service, safety and security of passengers is a large enough role; indeed, it’s not an easy feat. But wait – there’s more! The cabin environment exerts physical and mental effects that aren’t experienced at any ordinary workplace. Thus, making it a little more difficult for flight attendants to carry out their duties.
Physical factors such as turbulence, low overhead compartments, narrow galleys and night-time conditions can turn a seemingly simple tasks into not-so simple ones. Additionally, the air in the cabin of an airliner at cruising altitude is pressurized to an altitude of 6,000 to 8,000 feet – which means, there is less oxygen than at sea level. This can increase the effects of fatigue, if flight attendants are not well-rested.
Nothing Short of Superheroes
Take the responsibilities of flight attendants, plus the cabin environment and its effects, and add it to one more facet of the job: jet lag. Flight attendants are rostered on shift work, and those who fly long-haul are susceptible to the effects of crossing multiple time zones. In itself, having to adapt to changing time zones can be a challenge to ordinary travellers, so it’s simply amazing how flight attendants can deal with that, yet still be capable to perform their duties to the best of their abilities!
So, the next time you’re on a flight, remember to appreciate the hard work of the flight attendants – for they truly are heroes of the skies!
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