Leata MaloLeata MaloFlight AttendantFlight Attendant

SalarySalary

• At entry level, flight attendants typically earn between $25,000 At entry level, flight attendants typically earn between $25,000 and $27,000 a year. Flight attendants also receive discounted and $27,000 a year. Flight attendants also receive discounted travel benefits.travel benefits.

Some flight attendants also receive additional allowances. Some flight attendants also receive additional allowances. Allowances pay for items such as meals, accommodation, uniforms Allowances pay for items such as meals, accommodation, uniforms and grooming. These allowances may add up to $15,000 a year. and grooming. These allowances may add up to $15,000 a year.

With three to five years' experience, flight attendants could expect With three to five years' experience, flight attendants could expect to earn $40,000 to $45,000 a year, plus allowances. Allowances to earn $40,000 to $45,000 a year, plus allowances. Allowances increase as flight attendants gain more senior positions.increase as flight attendants gain more senior positions.

At senior level, with 10 or more years' experience, flight attendants At senior level, with 10 or more years' experience, flight attendants may earn $60,000 or more a year.may earn $60,000 or more a year.

•According to the 2006 Census, flight attendants earned an average According to the 2006 Census, flight attendants earned an average of $43,800 a year and worked an average of 36 hours per week. of $43,800 a year and worked an average of 36 hours per week. This includes full and part-time workers. This includes full and part-time workers.

Skills and SubjectsSkills and Subjects

• HistoryHistory

• EnglishEnglish • It would be useful to know several of languages It would be useful to know several of languages

such as:such as:• SamoanSamoan• TonganTongan• FrenchFrench• GermanGerman• JapaneseJapanese• MandarinMandarin• CantoneseCantonese• FijianFijian

RequirementsRequirements• be a New Zealand resident be a New Zealand resident

• be at least 18 years old be at least 18 years old

• hold a current first-aid certificate hold a current first-aid certificate

• hold a current passport without restrictions hold a current passport without restrictions

• undergo aviation security clearance checks undergo aviation security clearance checks

• It is also useful for flight attendants to be fluent in other languagesIt is also useful for flight attendants to be fluent in other languages • knowledge of flight and emergency procedures knowledge of flight and emergency procedures

• the ability to operate emergency equipment the ability to operate emergency equipment

• hospitality skills for serving food and drinks hospitality skills for serving food and drinks

• first-aid and medical skills first-aid and medical skills

• the ability to assist people with special needs, such as young the ability to assist people with special needs, such as young children or people with disabilities children or people with disabilities

• organisational and time management skills the ability to give organisational and time management skills the ability to give

tourists tips and guidance on their stay in New Zealand.tourists tips and guidance on their stay in New Zealand.

FactsFacts

• Flight attendants wear uniforms supplied by the airline and use catering, safety and first-aid equipment.

• Flight attendants may be employed on a temporary basis, part time or full time depending on the airline they work for.

• Work shifts are usually organised over a 28-day period, and may include evenings, public holidays or weekends. Duty periods vary depending on the airline, but flight attendants can be rostered up to 18 hours a shift, and may spend up to ten days away from home during a 28-day roster period.

• be between 160cm and 185cm  tall • pass a reach test and medical exam • have a certain standard of eyesight

in order to carry out emergency procedures without glasses

• be able to swim 50m unaided • be reasonably strong because they

may have to lift heavy bags and emergency equipment.

Daily DutiesDaily Duties

• Flight attendants spend most of their time on Flight attendants spend most of their time on aeroplanes, travelling domestically or aeroplanes, travelling domestically or internationally. internationally.

• They work at altitude, often in cramped They work at altitude, often in cramped conditions, and spend a lot of time on their feet.conditions, and spend a lot of time on their feet.

• Bad weather can make flying conditions Bad weather can make flying conditions uncomfortable or dangerous, and flight uncomfortable or dangerous, and flight attendants may have to deal with stressful or attendants may have to deal with stressful or difficult situations. difficult situations. 

• They also work through the night, and cross time They also work through the night, and cross time zones. zones.

Why I chose this careerWhy I chose this career

• I chose to be a flight attendant I chose to be a flight attendant because I think I have the right skills because I think I have the right skills and because it feels like the right job and because it feels like the right job for me because it looks fun and I love for me because it looks fun and I love to travel, help people, and learn a to travel, help people, and learn a heap of things from other countries heap of things from other countries and people I also think that the and people I also think that the salary is good.salary is good.