A flight attendant’s primary job

A flight attendant’s primary job is to ensure that safety regulations are adhered to. The attendant also tries to make flights comfortable and enjoyable for passengers. The job is learned through intensive formal training after being hired. Airlines prefer to hire people who can remain calm under pressure and who can interact well with the public. Applicants must be high school graduates who are at least 18 to 21 years old, in excellent health and have the ability to speak clearly. There is also a height requirement and most airlines prefer candidates with weight proportionate to height. Candidates must also be willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and to frequently be away from home. In 2000, the median annual starting salary for a flight attendant was $14,847. The airline industry enjoys one of the highest rates of unionization in the United States and Canada.