Amalia Mayari, a flight attendant, recently demonstrated to all of us that sometimes your weakness can be your greatest strength, proving the adage “you’ll never know until you try” to be true. Despite being only 5’1″, which is typically shorter than the standard height requirement for flight attendants, she managed to become a flight attendant twice!
All those who feel hopeless, especially those who believe they fall short of some of the requirements, should hear this story. There is no harm in trying, as Amalia’s story demonstrated.
Amalia wanted to follow in the footsteps of her mother, a former flight attendant for a major airline. Many people questioned Amalia’s ability to become a flight attendant due to her height. Even some of her closest friends and family members inquired as to her plans aside from working as a flight attendant.
Amalia experienced self doubt, but she overcame it and acted when the chance to be a flight attendant presented itself.
Turning her weakness into strength
Amalia had an arm reach of more than 210 cm despite being aware that her height would be a problem. Most importantly, though, is how well she can talk and communicate. Amalia decided to apply even though the first airline’s minimum height requirement for a flight attendant was 5’3″. She was aware that her height of 5’1″ might present a challenge. Amalia had already come to terms with the possibility that her height might be a hindrance.
Fortunately, since she failed the height check, the airline asked her to perform an arm reach test, which she passed. Amalia was given a chance because she is a strong communicator. She also applied at her first airline with a lot of confidence. She was distinctive and had the right personality.
However, Amalia was one of the flight attendants laid off as a result of the pandemic in 2021, and she believed “that was it.” But things didn’t work out that way.
Becoming a flight attendant twice
Amalia accepted the possibility that she might not work as cabin crew again during the pandemic because she believed that her first experience was unique due to her personality and excellent communication abilities. In 2022, she made an attempt to apply with another local airline but was rejected due to her height.
She then seized the opportunity to apply at Cebu Pacific, where a height check had been replaced by an arm reach test. But Amalia immediately won over her interviewers with her confidence and communication abilities. Despite being only 5’1″, this did not prevent her from retraining as a flight attendant.
Amalia experienced her doubts once more, but she persisted and succeeded. Amalia obtained her wings once more when she started working as a flight attendant for Cebu Pacific.
A lesson for all aspirants
Sincerity be told, I do not subscribe to the notion that applying is a waste of time even if you know that you are below the height requirement. First and foremost, there is no harm in applying. You gain knowledge and lessons from these experiences. If you make no effort at all, it is more of a waste. Additionally, if you keep trying but make no progress and resist change, it is a huge waste of time.
Of course, it is always best to prepare in advance if you want to work as a flight attendant. Try your hardest to meet the conditions and qualifications. Do not, however, let your lack of one or two stop you from trying. If you do, there is no harm. Listen to Amalia. Despite being only 5’1″, she persisted in pursuing her dream of becoming a flight attendant, and now she has been one twice!
Watch my interview with Amalia below.
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!
Allegiant air doesn’t have a height requirement! I’m not 5 foot and have been a flight attendant successfully for three years…. And I’m not the only shorty there! We make it work! They don’t discriminate!!! If your dream is to be a flight attendant come fly with us!