Many people still base their judgement on what they can see with their own eyes. Because they only see flight attendants serving food, greeting passengers, performing safety demonstrations, and attending to passenger needs on board, they quickly form the impression that becoming a cabin crew is just about serving chicken or beef. Flight attendants actually play an important role in making air travel the safest mode of transportation.
Unfortunately, the only time the same people realize the true value of a flight attendant is during accidents and emergencies, which are basically situations in which human lives are at risk.
To be honest, there is no reason to wait for such events to occur. All you have to do is read the articles here to realize that the value of every flight attendant you see is far greater than what you think of as “utusan lang ang mga yan.”
More than serving chicken or beef
Let me first set the record straight. Being a waiter or a maid is an honorable profession. It generates a sufficient income to send children to school and put food on the table. I shake my head when people look down on waiters and maids, saying “they’re just waiters.”
Flight attendants, on the other hand, are trained to perform multiple roles. They can evacuate over a hundred passengers in under 90 seconds. They had received CPR training. Cabin crew members are forced to memorize a 1,000-page manual in less than two months. They are subjected to exams almost every day, with a passing grade of 90% and three lifelines. Flight attendants have been trained to fight fires. They are taught basic self-defense techniques. As part of their training, flight attendants are required to jump into a 15-foot swimming pool without a life vest.
I’ve met thousands of flight attendants and stewards, many of whom I consider friends. Some of them became close friends to me along the way. I’ve witnessed a few cabin crew training courses with Philippine Airlines, PAL Express, and Cebu Pacific. I’ve spoken with training managers, crew managers, in-flight Vice Presidents, and even airline CEOs. I’ve attended and witnessed over 50 cabin crew graduation ceremonies.
With that said, I’m here to address anyone who believes that flight attendants and stewards are “just flying serbadoras.” On board, your cabin crew are highly trained safety professionals. Every year, they go through extensive training that focuses on safety.
The process to become a flight attendant is very hard
Did you know that cabin crew training is divided into 80% safety and security and 20% passenger experience and comfort? The primary role of flight attendants is to ensure the safety and security of the passengers. That means their job entails a great deal of information about passenger safety. Have you seen the 1000-page Cabin Crew Operations Manual, or CCOM? 90% is concerned with safety and security, while 10% is concerned with everything else. Because air travel has never been safer than it is today, you only get to see and experience 20% of what your cabin crew is trained for.
I noticed one thing during the 49 cabin crew graduation ceremonies I attended. These newly released flight attendants’ eyes would well up with tears. Many of them are in disbelief and awe that their dreams are finally coming true, especially after the arduous training they underwent. Some of them were on the verge of failing. Their speeches are heartfelt, and they and their loved ones are extremely proud of their accomplishment as flight attendants.
It’s a very touching moment to witness, and these experiences have increased my appreciation for flight attendants and stewards. I’ve also spoken with some of the flight attendants’ fathers and mothers, and they’ve always expressed their pride in their sons and daughters. They are saddened when people look down on cabin crew members because they have witnessed what their child has gone through in order to fulfill a childhood dream.
Unsung heroes of the sky
So, to sum up my message to all those who denigrate the job of flight attendants, let me say one thing. These are the same people who are willing to put their own lives in danger in order to save yours. They are willing to overlook the fact that they have their own family and loved ones waiting for them in order for you to be reunited with your own family and loved ones.
These are the same people who sacrifice time with their own families during Christmas and New Year’s in order for you to arrive safely at your holiday celebrations.
They are the same people who will defend the pilots and cockpit if anyone tries to take over or hijack the plane.
These are the same people who will lend you their ears and hearts to provide comfort, especially if you are returning home to attend the wake of a recently deceased loved one.
They are the same people who are the last to leave a burning airplane because they ensure that you and all other passengers are safe.
Your cabin crew, they deserve a lot of respect, just like you respect our government officials, also known as “public servants.” Communicate with them properly. Follow their instructions. Pay attention to them, especially if it’s for your own good. They are not your slaves, so don’t ask them to lift your luggage to the OSBs if you can do it yourself.
So, whenever you board an airplane, remember to return the smiles of your flight attendants. Always remember to greet and thank them. Flight attendants play a huge role to why aviation is very safe.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
