"Sally Weston: Donna, did I ever tell you about a nasty habit that flight attendants pick up on the job? Donna Jensen: No. Sally Weston: We learn to always keep smiling, even when we're out of Bloody Mary mix." ~ From the movie, View from the Top It's a dream for most girls to have a career that gives them an opportunity to fly around the world with a chance to look their best, always! If you are one of them, then with every positive aspect that this job contains, you must also be willing to face the challenges and difficulties that are bound to come your way. Air hostesses are expected to look, act, and serve like the angels in the sky who are taking care of the passengers traveling miles above the surface of the earth. And, it is not easy to be an angel. The Federal Aviation Academy (FAA) has implemented certain laws and guidelines regarding the job requirements of being an air hostess, as this career option is one of the most important and sought after jobs available in the aviation sector. An air hostess works in a commercial domestic and/or international flight. Not only does one require a pleasing personality, but also a demeanor that naturally displays qualities like perseverance, patience, and compassion. The following are the duties that an air hostess is expected to perform.

• To carefully pay attention to the flight details that the pilot discusses with the crew members during the briefing.
• To ensure that all the necessary equipment including first-aid kits, emergency exits, and other evacuation devices are functioning properly.
• To ensure that there is adequate amount of food and beverages for all passengers, including other supplies like pillows, blankets, reading material, etc.

• To check passenger tickets, assist passengers to find their seat and place the carry-on baggage.
• To inform passengers about safety rules and policies while aboard. This includes notifying the passengers about emergency exits, and using safety equipment.
• To fulfill their basic requests including food and beverages as per preferences.
• To provide blankets and pillows, taking care of passengers who require special attention in their illness, helping passengers with finding their seats, placing their luggage, and so on.
• To monitor and protect the public safety of the passengers on board.
• To make necessary announcements regarding the flight schedule, the duration of the flight, the weather conditions.
• To handle passenger queries with patience and poise, even if the passenger is irate or irrational.

• It is mandatory for aspiring air hostesses to hold at least a high school diploma for domestic airlines. However, most international airlines prefer a college diploma.
• Having additional degrees in the field of psychology, tourism, and communication skills will prove to be an added advantage to the resume. This is so because being an air hostess demands humbleness, good communication skills, politeness, and customer service.
• An FAA certificated training is also mandatory for an aspiring air hostess. This training teaches how to handle passengers under critical circumstances such as terrorist attacks, injuries, emergency situations, and so on.

If you aspire to become an air hostess, the age limit varies from 16-29 years, depending upon the individual airline. There are other requirements when it comes to physical appearance. Some of these parameters include,

• Good Height: The height limit varies depending upon the specific airline; however, if you think you are tall enough to comfortably reach the overhead bin of the flight, then you should be good to go.
• Clear Complexion: Airlines demand the air hostess aspirants to have a clear complexion, with clean and healthy skin, without any spots and blemishes on the face.
• Physical and Mental Fitness: The airlines wish their attendants to be both physically and mentally fit, so that they can catch up with the challenges that are required to be met as a part of the job.

A pleasant smile, confidence in the way you carry yourself, and a fit and healthy body and mind are the additional parameters that are needed for this job. You can go to the website of the respective airlines and find all the information that you need.

• A Pleasing and Charming Persona: Air hostesses need to cater to the needs of the passengers, making their journey as comfortable and delightful as possible. Therefore, to have a pleasing and charming persona is essential.
• Patience and Perseverance: Patience is immensely required as you need to deal with people from across the globe; trust me, some can be unbelievably difficult to deal with. But you need to hold your calm with them.
• Excellent Communication Skills: A passenger will not be satisfied with your services if you are unable to communicate effectively with him. Having excellent communication skills is your way to win your passenger's heart with your words.
• Sharp-Sightedness: One also needs to be quick and alert, as this job demands people who are highly competitive. A flight travel may make you prone to experiences that may involve emergency evacuation of the plane. There are many factors that are required to be checked while on air; therefore, sharp-sightedness is highly essential.

A neat attire, a groomed look, a caring and friendly approach, and a hospitable smile: these are the pleasant traits that you must possess in order to be the perfect air hostess. No matter how glamorous and amazing the job of an air hostess seems to be, they do have their share of challenges as well. Some of these are mentioned as under.

• The working hours are irregular as there are always delays and changes in the flight plan.
• For domestic flights, the shift can go for as long as 14 hrs, or longer, if you are working for an international flight.
• The job requires you to work during holidays or weekends, making you spend approximately 65-90 hrs per month in the air, plus additional 50 hours spent on writing reports and preparing to fly. You do get paid for the overtime on an hourly basis and the airline pays for your hotel stay and meals, but, most of the time is spent traveling.

Speaking of remuneration, the salary varies from country to country. In the United States, the salary of a fresher starts from approximately $16,000 and can go up to $30,000. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary of a flight attendant (annually) in the United States of America was $37,740 in May 2010. Also, they are paid extra for overtime. Apart from the basic salary, air hostesses also avail the benefits of various attractive perks and packages which includes free stay at the world's luxurious 5 star hotels, free pick and drop, a chance to meet and serve some of the most famous celebrities, and to see the entire world at its best while getting paid for it. It is truly a career filled with style, dignity, money, and class! As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is likely to be a little, or no change in the employment trend in this sector from 2010-2020. Apart from that, if you love traveling and glamor, love to see new places, are willing to take the challenges that this job has to offer (with the mindset of excelling in your job in each and every possible way), growth is definitely inevitable. They say you have to wait for a lifetime to get the best rewards. As far as this rewarding job is concerned, you don't really have to wait for a lifetime, but yes, you do need to start focusing on your strengths and work towards your goals of becoming an air hostess. There is a lot of competition, and with a job as rewarding as this, there is bound to be the selection of the finest to get through the spot. All you require is the passion and the heart to serve others by always being your best, and no one can stop you from taking off and flying high. To conclude, I'd like to quote a line from the movie View from the Top, which I'm sure has inspired many girls throughout the globe to become an air hostess. The line goes something like this - "Life is a series of arrivals and departures." Make sure you catch your flight in time. All the best.