How I became a Flight Attendant: my interview experience, training, and what to expect
SO you want to be a flight attendant?
Different cities every other day, travel for free, stay in nice hotels- what’s not to love right? Benefits! As Puff once said and I quote “Its all about the Benjamin's baby”- I’d say in this particular line of work its “All about the bennies baby”- as in the benefits. I am not just referring to the flights either, its an opportunity for a career, a retirement, and a solid insurance plan for you and your family.
But the truth is, it’s not for everyone. It takes a certain type of tenacity and personality to push through the first 5 years or so and be a part of a very volatile industry… where not only is the landscape literally always changing physically, but rhetorically as well. Let me explain..
Before I go into the nitty gritty of it all, let me start with the very important part-
THESE ARE FROM MY EXPERIENCES AND IN NO WAY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF MY PEERS, COWORKERS, OR COMPANY.
Okay, I really needed to get that statement out. In this blog I will tell you what my experience was, then from there I will answer some pretty FAQ, including the ones from a very recent instagram post.
I personally applied 3 times. After moving to Oahu in 2005, the plan was always to become a flight attendant. I even applied at the ripe age of 23- I filled out the application and sent it in. No bells or whistles of a resume or anything. I didn’t even get a call back, which is not surprising looking back. I didn’t think much of it and kinda got side tracked being a cocktail waitress at night and surfing all day- that I sorta gave up on the idea. But it wasn’t long until I started to really feel the glass ceiling of the restaurant industry closing in on me. I wanted more stability and more than anything I needed a job where my money was guaranteed, had good medical, and more of a future stability. I wanted a career. I was yearning for it.
I decided to seriously apply in 2015. I put together a resume. And at that time- the application process was pretty stressful. The post for the job would only be up until the cap of needed applicants was full. So like sometimes it would only be up for 10/15mins and then it would come down because thousands would apply- and this was really before sharing things on social was so accessible. At any rate I got my application in and made it to the first interview.
*Insider tip* on most corporate websites- including HAL-you can create a profile, where you can upload your resume before time, pretty much fill up a mock application of all your info, that way when it is time to apply for any opening at the corporation you can easily do so without having to upload your resume each time. Do this.
As they say when you go into the interview-
“Timing is everything, and don’t
be discouraged if this is not your time”
I was a nervous wreck. I had the basics down. No cell phone at all on you. Be nice and I had gotten some advice to “smile painfully”- if you know me I take things I want very seriously, so I did indeed smile painfully. I probably looked like a clown. I also wasn’t being myself. I’m naturally a pretty “bubbly gal” but there is a creepiness of playing that up too much.. my guess is they saw right through that. Because I didn’t get the email to invite me back the next day. I was devastated. In tears. I had already started planning my life. And this was not apart of the plan.
Lots of people knew I was applying - I sourced every person I knew that knew someone to ask and give me tips. SO when I had to tell friends and colleagues I didn’t make it, I remember one person saying to me-
“Yeah your not really the face of Hawaiian Airlines”.. as Carrie Bradshaw once said- “Well, that was like taking a bullet”.
But I remembered- “this is not your time”.
I repeat this because I want you to know, that this application process will be intense for you. And this may be you. My story could be your story. When you go through the various interviews, background checks, round up letters of recommendations, etc.. all that entails the great lengths of becoming a flight attendant. It’s a lot.
Fast forward and the third time was the charm for me. I’ll be pretty basic from here on out, but I really wanted to share with you the first part of my story. To give you context.
So you got the invite for the first round of interviews..
Look the part- I know this sounds simple but to be completely clear, actually go to the airlines website and look at the uniform, the colors; mimic that! You want to look like you already work for the company you are applying for!
Dress in business attire. Skirt suit, pant suit, have a blazer. Wear panty hose if you're wearing a skirt. Non-negotiable.
Wear heels. But like between 2.5/3 inches- absolutely nothing more.
Put on pearls, or wear studs, don’t wear too much jewelry. Less is more.
Hair should be pulled back and hair-sprayed. If its long put it in a bun ( hair net is also a plus ).
Flowers in your hair is very on brand for HAL and for this event- fresh is a plus. But as you know there are some absolutely stunning silk flowers out there- so its is not required at all.
Make sure your nails are filed and nicely manicured- men this applies to you too!
Once you get in the door- you will see a slew ( like be prepared to see upwards of a 100 or more ) of other applicants ( though COVID may have changes this experience ). The first round is very much a cattle call style. Be nice, sociable, likable. Make friends. These could be your future classmates/coworkers!
Yes, there is a reach test- tippy toes are allowed . And as long as you can reach the height requirement, you will pass.
Next you will be in a group interview with a panel. And be prepared to be asked basic questions like:
“Give us an example go how you turned a bad situation into a good one at your current job”
“What is your worst quality?”
”Name a time you went above and beyond for customers”
You know these type of questions..
Next you will be called for a group activity, where you basically will be observed while working with a group of other applicants on various hypothetical scenarios.
For example “A woman accuses another passenger of stealing her iPad- what do you do?” or A hypothetical chain of events and what to attend to in what order, how you and your coworkers put things in order/ work together to solve these issues is what is being observed.
The goal is to be assertive, but not too outspoken, and use terms like “Oh that’s a good idea, what do you think of this?”
Then, after you nail this round you finally get an email inviting you to the final one on one!! At this point you can provide up to 3 letters of recommendation, though not required, I’d say its a good touch. Each letter IMO should come from a different person in your life- like your former boss highlighting how your always on time ( which is a huge plus in the airline industry ), a character testament, and then if your lucky enough to know a current flight attendant for the airline you are applying for or any person in the industry- that would also be pretty perfect.
Be yourself. Be genuine. Now is the time to be charismatic. Be confident. You have gotten this far! They clearly see your potential!!
Of course I was nervous, but at this point I felt like, what more could I do? I recently referenced a very distinctive question that was asked of me in my final interview and I think the way I responded was what really sealed the deal.
I was asked what motivated me to go to work- and I was bluntly honest- I said money! Saving for things, like a pair of boots, or having financial security motivated me to go to work. Yes I actually referenced a material item- and you know what? It resonated with these two women interviewing me- they laughed and said “Same!” My point is don’t be fake. The people interviewing you are actually looking for your line of bullshit, for a lack of better words- they can sniff it out.
What to expect in training:
First thing is at HAL it is unpaid. SO make sure you have 4 months rent/bills or miscellaneous cash put away.
When I say this was the hardest thing I had ever been to- I am not at all being dramatic. Class times of course will vary per airline but expect to be in training everyday for 8 hours a day for 9 weeks.
There will be a rigorous curriculum acquiring in-depth knowledge of every aircraft the company flies. So for me when I initially came on the line ( which is a slang term; because we are on the frontline and literally the face of the company, it’s often referred to “on the line” ), I had to learn 5 aircrafts.
It’s not just Boeing or Airbus, it’s the models within. SO for example, we fly a smaller aircraft on inter island flights the B717, when I arrived we also were still flying B767- for transpacific flights; within that group there were 3 different configurations, we also have Airbus, which at this current moment, there is the A321 & A330.
You learn what everything is called on the aircraft. Like the door latch release handle, or the slide pressure gauge. You will be tested on these terms as well. You learn about all the emergency equipment and where it is located.
You will cover all emergency situations, which does include crash landings and planned emergency landings. How to evacuate the plane. Fire on the plane. Death onboard. How to administer oxygen. To name a few scenarios. You will get certified CPR training.
You will be trained as a first responder in the air.
Be prepared to be able to physically get in and out of a life raft- if this is not preformed, even if you pass all your test, will automatically disqualify you.
Oh and did I mention you have to pass every test with a 90%? So depending on the amount of questions- you can only get one to 3 wrong on any test. So there’s that.
My other advice and this actually very well be the most useful if you are just starting training- DELETE Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Pinterest, YouTube, any app that is a distraction to you in any way. Get it off your phone. ISOLATE in your training bubble. Tape diagrams of the planes all over your apartment, key terms, anything and everything. Consume this info to the very fullest- in the mirror when you brush your teeth, look up and have a flash card. I did this. And it worked. Do what works for you- and maximize.
YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS
The night I got my wings
What to expect your the first few years
Life is about to dramatically change. Nothing can truly prepare you to the lifestyle you have just stepped into. Its unlike anything I can really explain, but I can say its pretty ahhhhmazing. You will make friends with others you may not of have otherwise ever have even talk to. You will see the world, and the many people in it lol. Culture shock will be your new favorite feeling and you will be addicted to new experiences. If you are anything like me, you didn’t travel much as a kid- never out of the country, this job will give you that privilege. And even in these last two years of the world wide uncertainty, looking back I know now how truly lucky I was to have this job, and to be part of a union.
Expect to be sleepy, and to love your home more than you ever thought possible- no matter where that is. The novelty of hotels wears off quick.. and the only true personal advice I will give to you is do your absolute best to stay in touch with the ones you love and supported you before and through the process. To be honest, I slipped up in this category and its been my life purpose to be better. Luckily tho, the ones that truly are your friends and love you, understand.