“For most people sky is the limit, but for flight attendants, the sky is home”
The aviation industry is full of opportunities for people of different skill sets, academic backgrounds, and interests. One of the most popular occupations in air travel is working as a flight attendant, also known as a cabin crew.
The Duties and Responsibilities of a Cabin Crew
A cabin crew provides in-flight services to ensure that airline passengers have a comfortable and smooth flying experience. The duties include answering passengers’ questions, enforcing safety measures before, during, and after takeoff, and serving food and beverages during flights. As a part of the responsibility, a cabin crew is trained to deal with security and emergencies, which includes administering first aid to passengers. The other emergency training includes rejected take-offs, emergency landings, cardiac and in-flight medical situations, smoke in the cabin, fires, depressurization, on-board births and deaths, dangerous goods and spills in the cabin, emergency evacuations, hijackings, and water landings.
Cabin Crew Qualifications and Entry Requirements
Cabin crew minimum requirements are set and regulated by the CAAB (Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh), with which all airlines in Bangladesh have to comply. However, the airlines may set a higher standard requirement as per their policy. The minimum qualifications shall typically include the following:
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A minimum age requirement (at least 18 years old)
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HSC, A-levels, or equivalent degree from a recognized educational institution (operators may set higher educational requirements to suit their needs)
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The ability to speak, read, write and understand a common designated language i.e., English language proficiency.
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A minimum height of 5 feet 2 inches for females and 5 feet 8 inches for males for the ability to retrieve safety or emergency equipment, and open as well as close overhead bins from a standing position.
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A maximum and minimum weight limit, separately for male and female cabin crew proportionately based on age and height, for the ability to operate equipment, promptly evacuate in case of any emergency, and work and walk on the aisles, especially facing forward in a single file. It may differ from airline to airline.
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A clear vision eyesight corrected to 6/6. A cabin crew is not allowed high-powered glasses and color vision is mandatory.
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An ability and strength to operate equipment/systems as applicable to the operator’s procedures during normal, abnormal, or emergencies to the aircraft type/s to which he/she is assigned.
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A satisfactory medical assessment by CAAB approved doctor during the recruitment or training process and subsequent medical fitness assessment after every 1 year (minimum) according to minimum cabin crew medical check-up standards.
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A minimum satisfactory swimming ability.
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Any other requirements as defined by CAAB or the operator itself.
Cabin Crew Remuneration Package
Cabin crews are offered quite handsome salaries depending on their experience. On top of the basic pay, they get an hourly flight rate for every hour they are on duty as well as a subsistence allowance (meal and accommodation) for when they are flying. There are also provisions for travel allowance, grooming allowance, performance and festival bonuses, and in some cases, commissions for inflight retail. Most airlines offer overnight payments for nights spent away from home. And some airlines offer additional allowances on top of base pay for the number of languages spoken.
The majority of airlines offer some kind of flight discount to cabin crew, which can include free domestic flights, discounted international flights, and discounted travel for immediate family. The extent of these discounts can range dramatically depending on the airline.
The typical all-inclusive monthly salary for a fresher in Biman Bangladesh Airlines is around 1 lac and 80 thousand takas without flying hour payment and 2 lac and 50 thousand takas including flying hour payment. For a similar position in US-Bangla Airlines, the all-inclusive monthly salary can be around 45 to 50 thousand takas during the first 6-month probation period and after the completion of this, the salary may increase to 70 to 80 thousand takas, depending on the flying hours. In Novoair, a cabin crew can earn as much as 50 to 55 thousand takas per month.
Bangladeshi cabin crews can join airline companies from abroad as well, such as Qatar Airways, Saudia, Emirates, Etihad, and so on. A cabin crew can expect at least a 2-lac taka equivalent monthly remuneration package in these airlines.
Working Hours
The duty and rest hours are set and regulated by the CAAB (Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh). Airlines are allowed to work as little or as much as they like as long as those hours are not conflicting with or violate the rules set forth by the CAAB.
A cabin crew can expect to be on duty for up to 14 to 20 hours at a time, with sufficient rest in between. He/she may need to fly 75 to 90 hours a month and spend another 50 hours a month on the ground, preparing flights, writing reports, and waiting for aircraft to arrive.
Promotions
Promotions depend on experience and performance. A cabin crew can progress to become a purser or chief purser. A purser has the same responsibilities as a cabin crew with the management duties of certain cabins. It needs 2 to 5 years of experience to become a purser. A purser can next eye at the position of the senior cabin crew, also known as cabin supervisor or cabin service director. In this position, one has to monitor all the cabin crews and pursers along with the additional responsibility of training and supervising recruits.
Training or Courses for Career Advancement
Cabin crews shall go through various training programs at different stages of their career, some of which are as follows:
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Aviation indoctrination.
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Different functions, duties, and responsibilities of cabin crew members
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Introduction to aircraft types, systems, and limitations
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Normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures
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Aircraft safety/emergency equipment- checks/use/operations, etc.
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Hands-on exercises/ practical drill on evacuation/fire/ditching
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Cabin crew members’ assignment, coordination, and two-way communication
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Approved flight crew compartment door- security, discreet communication, and admission/access procedures
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Cabin Health and First aid training program Version 1.0/ Rev-1 Page AOG Air Operator Guidance on Cabin Safety
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Human Performance & CRM training program
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Aviation Security (in-flight & on-ground) training program
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DGR (Dangerous Goods Regulations) and related policies/procedures on the transport of dangerous goods training program
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Cabin crew SMS training program
Cons or Disadvantages of Being a Cabin Crew
Due to frequent and large amounts of traveling, it is difficult for a cabin crew to spend time with his/her loved ones as often as he/she might wish. Another downside is working on weekends and holidays, especially during the early career. Depending on the route and schedule, a cabin crew may experience frequent time zone changes, which may result in jet lag and fatigue.
Alternative Career Options
The alternative career prospect for the cabin crews is quite limited as they get priority only in aviation sectors with ground-based operations such as cabin safety, training, and recruitment of cabin crews, passenger services, and crew control. With larger airlines, there may be scope for shifting to other departments i.e., marketing, sales, or human resources.
What Does It Take to Become a Cabin Crew?
The airline industry is an emerging market with an expected boom at around 2032 through the replacement of a large number of air crafts and introduction of the new ones. Hence, a large number of cabin crews are going to be hired by various airlines. To grab these opportunities, you shall develop certain personal as well as professional attributes to match your skills to the requirements. You should be able to work flexible and unsocial hours. It means that you might work early morning, through the night, on public holidays, and at weekends. Your employer may not want a strong academic background from you, but they would judge your skills and relevant experience required for the job. Hence, you shall work on developing certain skills for the job such as:
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Very good communication skills
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Excellent customer service
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Team spirit
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Discretion in matters of VIPs
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Ability to handle pressure and remain calm in emergencies
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Sales skills
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Good numeracy skills
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Potential for providing quick and efficient service
Husna Khanam Jamy works as the Special Cabin Safety Inspector and Cabin Crew Trainer at the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).
