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For many people, becoming a flight attendant represents freedom, travel and inevitably everything opposite the 9-to-5 lifestyle. Behind the polished look and uniform, there is a lot more than meets the eye. It is a demanding and competitive process to be a flight attendant and so much more than an outsider could ever understand. The recruitment process is tough, and the training is rigorous; it's just not like any other job and it requires so much more than a love of travel. A highly competitive hiring process Airlines receive tens of thousands of applications every year and only a small percentage actually make it through. The first stage is usually the initial application, followed by an online assessment, a video interview, or an invitation to an assessment day. Customer service skills, character and safety awareness are all important, as well as teamwork and communication skills. The assessment day will include a group interview, group task and a series of tests, including the reach test, English, Math, languages and sometimes service tests. Most of the group will be sent home by this point. If successful, in these early stages, there will then be a final interview with three recruiters. Assessment days are grueling and often there are hundreds of attendees in competition for only a few places. Some of the skills that airlines look for are being calm under pressure, the ability to follow strict rules and excellent teamwork, communication and decision-making skills. High standards of personal presentation are expected. Applicants are monitored at all times behind the scenes for their suitability for the role. Waiting to hear whether you are successful or not can be stressful and takes time. Rarely do applicants get through the first time; it usually takes a number of assessment days. It requires dedication and commitment and is somewhat of a learning experience. Once successful, there are still many hoops to jump through. References, background checks, medical examinations and drug tests are just a few items that must be passed successfully. They say that it is harder to become a flight attendant than to get into Harvard University. Training is where the real work begins Flight attendant training is long hours, intense and hard work. It is usually around six weeks long and you learn safety and emergency procedures, fire-fighting, aviation medicine, restraint/self-defense, security, dangerous goods and more. There is also aircraft-specific training, practical door operations and evacuation drills, including on land and on water. Pilot incapacitation and decompression drills are also featured. Service training and grooming are the lighter topics. There is always homework to do and drills to practice and time and energy are crucial to succeed. Many people leave during training because it is tough and not what they expected. Some people just don't make the grades. There are exams most days and the pass rate is extremely high, between 95 and 98%. If you fail, you may get one more chance to pass or be asked to leave. Not everyone makes it through to the end. You can be dismissed instantly at any time. After training, there are two supernumerary flights before being signed off as a flight attendant. This is followed by six months' probation. Before every flight, there is a crew briefing and the flight attendants are asked questions regarding safety and emergency procedures and aviation medicine, which they must pass to proceed to the flight. Every year, there is recurrent training of around three days, testing the flight attendants' knowledge and this must be passed. A flight attendant can never be late for duty or be off sick (limited days), and either can result in the loss of your job. Physical and mental demands The work of a flight attendant is physically and mentally demanding. You are lifting and pulling heavy equipment and carts, sometimes on a climb, and standing for long periods. Rest is often minimal and disrupted. Schedules require working at all times of day or night and there is little choice. Work is 365 days a year with no time off for the holidays or special occasions. There are also standby duties, where you wait to be called out to cover another flight at the last minute. Jet lag and tiredness can be challenging with such a disruptive schedule and family events are often missed. Many people don't understand that you have no choice, as it's what you sign up for. It can be stressful at times and keeping calm under pressure is crucial. A flight attendant may have to deal with a potential emergency, a medical emergency, a disruptive passenger, delayed flights and much more. Lifestyle changes Being a flight attendant is not just a job; it's a lifestyle and you have to be committed to it. Friends and family often do not understand, so relationships can be difficult to maintain. Working hours are always different, so it can be hard to plan anything. The pay is considerably low compared to most jobs, and not all time on duty is paid for. For some, being a flight attendant can seem very regimented and there are many strict rules that have to be followed. These can seem trivial to the outside world, but flight attendants have set rules. For women, it is not unusual to be told exactly what color of lipstick and nail polish to wear, must have the correct heel size on their shoes and wear a hat at exactly two inches above the eyebrow. Uniform standards are strictly monitored and you can be taken off a flight if not dressed to the standard. Why do people still choose this career People choose to become flight attendants for different reasons. For some, it's the lure of travel, for others, it's the lifestyle that's completely opposite to the 9-to-5. Others like the constant change, no two days are alike, every flight is different and it is a new challenge. Flight attendants usually have close bonds with co-workers and there is a strong sense of teamwork and camaraderie. Flight attendants like to follow rules while still having a sense of freedom. They are proud to work for their airline and be responsible for the safety of passengers. It can be a very fulfilling role and some stay in the role for many years. The reality Becoming a flight attendant isn't about glamour—it's about discipline, adaptability and responsibility. The job demands professionalism, resilience, and constant learning. But for the right person, the reward is a career that offers purpose, pride, and a front-row seat to the world. You can make amazing friends with other crew members, get to see new places around the world and experience life at a completely different level. It may not be the easiest job, nor is it well paid, but most flight attendants love their job.