As a cabin crew member, every individual candidate is trained to the highest standards in accordance with the aviation industry protocol. From flight safety, operating procedures, passenger safety and service, cabin crew are trained to perform their best to maintain a professional environment for customer satisfaction. The primary role of a cabin crew onboard involves complete flight safety. If an emergency or problem arises, it is the cabin crew who are responsible for guiding the passenger.
Where do you start your cabin crew career?
If you have the inspiration, talent, and dedication to pursue a career as a cabin crew, then enrolling at a renowned cabin crew institute is the primary and most important step to kickstart your career.
ACAT Cabin Crew Training Centre in Siliguri offers intensive cabin crew training courses that prepares aspiring candidates to the highest standards required for the global aviation industry. As a part of the renowned Alpha Aviation Group (AAG), Philippines, we train candidates with hands-on training, communication skills, flight safety procedures, personality development, grooming, make over, customer service and other essential skills required to become interview ready in just 180 days.
In this blog we will discuss the basics of “a day in the life of a cabin crew member.”
The overall procedures from personal preparation, safety, pre-flight checks to boarding, on -board customer service and disembarking.
Pre- flight preparations & safety checks:
A day in the life of a cabin crew begins with personal preparation, adorning the airline uniform and adhering to specific airline grooming requirements. Onboard duties begin two hours before the scheduled time of departure. The cabin crew is called to the briefing room for pre-flight briefing where the documents and grooming are checked. Every cabin crew member must be updated with following documents like passports, flying license & vaccination booklets. The uniform should be up to the required standards. During the briefing cabin crew will receive introductions to fellow crew members on board, safety information, updates to operating procedures and aviation safety. Questions and answers will be asked and answered to ensure the member is ready to be onboard.
The overall briefing also includes in transit weather information, cockpit entry information, special information for passengers, communication procedures and estimated flight time. The purser is responsible for defining all responsibilities and will ask safety questions ensuring all the cabin crew members are prepared for the flight ahead.
Update of emergency checklist:
Once the crew is onboard, they will start preparing the seats with blankets and headphones. Each crew member will board at assigned stations. After the baggage check the cabin crew members perform equipment and emergency check which is done every half an hour during the entire flight to fill and update the equipment checklist.
This consists of:
- Equipment check
- Under seat check
- Head bins
- Catering &food
- Dry goods &duty free
- Security check
Boarding of passengers:
The boarding of the flight is the time when crew members directly interact with passengers.
A cabin crew should create a good impression on first contact with the passenger.
This period can be demanding for the crew member as it is the most important time to showcase and perform as a representative of the airline.
The prime service requirement is the wellbeing, safety, and comfort for each individual passenger on board.
After completing all necessary checks, the senior cabin crew onboard communicates with the pilot and ground personnel to determine the appropriate time for passengers boarding. Each cabin crew member is tasked with challenging individuals attempting to board without a valid pass. Extra special attention is given for passengers who require extra care, like intoxicated passengers, expectant mothers, and high-risk passengers.
Maintaining an efficient and tactful attitude on flight delays is one of the essential requirements for cabin crew members. This is mandatory to assure and appease passengers.
Cabin crew are responsible for providing onboard meal and beverage service. The nature of these services varies between airlines, first, premium and economy class. Throughout the flight, crew members remain attentive to passenger comfort, requirements, and potential medical issues of passengers. The crew members are trained in all aspects of first aid including the use of defibrillators in case of cardiac issues.
Safety and emergency:
In case of emergency the behavior of crew members is very crucial for passenger survival. The crew members must handle situations like frozen immobility, sheer panic attacks and deal with various types of personalities to respond in any traumatic reaction.
The primary duty of crew members is related to safety. Before every flight, crew members receive safety briefing from pilots and pursers to keep themselves updated and prepared for each occurring event.
The crew members are also trained for water landing and emergency landings which includes emergency evacuation through inflatable slides and rafts to follow up survival skills in case of water or tropical emergencies. Once all passengers have been evacuated, it is the duty of the cabin crew to check if there is anyone remains onboard, before the cabin crew evacuates himself or herself.
Life of a Cabin Crew Member
The life of a cabin crew member is a punctilious routine from pre-flight preparations to safe landings. The dedication to safety, services and professionalism is clear in any task undertaken by crew members. Through rigorous cabin crew training institutes like ACAT Cabin Crew Training Centre, Siliguri, aspiring individuals can pursue the best career in global aviation industries, contributing seamless operations of flights worldwide