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BY SUSAN BERO
Times Correspondent | Saturday, October 09, 2004 | (No comments posted.)
Flight attendants have a career that really can takeoff. Their idea of flying high comes from providing services to passengers to assure their safety, comfort and enjoyment.
It's a career with many benefits, including unlimited travel and a flexible schedule.
Kevin Ackerman, 36, of Michigan City, a flight attendant for ATA, tells why many people are drawn to fly the friendly skies.
Q: How long have you been a flight attendant?
A: Four years.
Q: How did you decide on this profession?
A: I was talking with friends, I used to date a flight attendant and wanted to travel and do something different. It's a good career. I've seen many places in the world.
Q: What education do you need?
A: To become a flight attendant all you need is a high school diploma. You don't need a college degree, but many people do.
Q: How did you get into this career?
A: ATA was interviewing (candidates) in South Bend and one of my friends talked me into going. I went through the interview, then two more after that and got hired.
Q: What airlines have you worked for?
A: ATA is the only one, I chose ATA specifically. I knew the company and that you could move up fast. It was a smaller airline at the time.
Q: What specialized training did you receive from the airline?
A: I attended a six-week program in Indianapolis, the home base for ATA.
They teach you all the safety that's required for the job -- 90 percent of the job is safety related. You have to know how to use emergency equipment on board, how to evacuate the aircraft in event of an emergency and how to instruct passengers on what to do. Also, lifesaving techniques: CPR, how to use the automated external defibrillator and revive a passenger if they stop breathing.
Q: How do you prepare for a flight prior to boarding?
A: We have to be there early enough to check emergency equipment we are responsible for, to make sure everything is up to standard and prepare the cabin -- basically see that it's presentable.
Q: Describe your duties on the airplane.
A: Once boarding procedure starts, we have a designated spot to stand in the cabin to greet passengers, assist with luggage, finding seats and answer any questions, like where lavatories are or nearest exits out of the aircraft.
Some people are afraid to fly and want to know everything and some people just say "hi."
Once everyone is on board and seated and bags are put away we close the bins (overheads). We make sure luggage is secured and any access bags are put in cargo hold. Then we close the doors and proceed with the safety demonstration, most is done by video now we have a newer fleet. As we're doing that, the plane is backing out.
We make sure all passengers are seated, seat belts are fastened and seats and trays are in an upright position. Then we tell the captain the cabin is secured and we're ready for takeoff -- flight attendants are the eyes and ears in the cabin for the pilot.
When the captain signals that it's safe to get up, we prepare the beverage carts with drinks, snacks or meals, serve and socialize with passengers.
During the flight we make our presence known throughout the aisles, making sure passengers are comfortable and happy.
Q: What are you responsibilities after landing?
A: We assist passengers with their bags if they need help and make sure no one forgets anything. We do a visual inspection of the cabin to make sure no bags or personal items are left behind and to make sure everyone is off the aircraft. Then we make sure doors are disarmed (to allow entry from outside). If we're done for the day we can go home, if we have another flight we repeat the process all over again.
Q: What are the greatest stresses regarding your profession?
A: When we have delays not caused by us because of weather, air traffic control or mechanical problems. And passengers that have been drinking or acting irrationally.
Q: Greatest rewards?
A: Travel, that is the best reward -- going overseas for me. I have been to many places people pay to see and I'm getting paid to see them.
Q: How many hours do you fly a month?
A: We are guaranteed 75 hours a month and that's what we are paid for. If we fly extra, we're paid on top of that and if you don't want to fly as much, you can drop down.
Q: Do you receive travel privileges for yourself, your family?
A: Yes, we get unlimited travel privileges, also our parents, spouses and children. We're considered non rev (revenue) passengers and fly standby, which means we're not guaranteed a seat, but most times we get one unless it's a busy time.
Q: How has your job changed since the Sept. 11 events?
A: Sept. 11 changed the whole airline industry. It used to be more relaxed as far as security procedures. We always had security procedures in place, but since then it's improved because what nobody ever thought could happen, happened.
Q: Have you ever had an incident that scared you?
A: I can't think of anything really. I've been pretty fortunate.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering this profession?
A: Be prepared to be away from home quite a bit, be prepared to travel and be prepared to have fun. Everyday is a new day. Everyday is like starting a new job.
When I grow up
This is the latest in a series of stories about people with unique careers. Today we talk with Kevin Ackerman, a flight attendant for ATA from Michigan City. If you have ideas for careers you'd like profiled in future stories, e-mail ideas to Robert Blaszkiewicz at blaszk@nwitimes.com.
When I grow up
This is the latest in a series of stories about people with unique careers. Today we talk with Kevin Ackerman, a flight attendant for ATA from Michigan City. If you have ideas for careers you'd like profiled in future stories, e-mail ideas to Robert Blaszkiewicz at blaszk@nwitimes.com.
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