So, you have been flying for a few years now and
you are in need of new challenges… depending on your airline and its
promotion structure, there may be a few options open to you.
You may decide to be a purser/senior crew member or cabin
manager on board and take responsibility for your crew and a successful
flight. Or maybe you are thinking about going into training new crew or even recruiting new candidates… It doesn’t have to stop at flying and you may even be able to combine some of these roles and fully get the most out of your job. How can you make a good impression and increase your chances of promotion? Here are a few ways to put yourself ahead of the game…
1. Never be complacent about safety – after you have been flying a while it is sometimes easy to forget the real reason we are onboard and get caught up in the never ending meal service, problem passengers and fatigue. With so many problems in the world post 9/11 we are more aware that negative situations can happen, so we must never forget to be aware of our safety onboard as well as the passenger’s safety. Don’t ever ‘forget’ to check your safety equipment and make sure you know your safety procedures well. Always.
2. Go the extra mile and exceed expectations – always do that little extra and make someone’s day whether it is a passenger or a fellow crew member. They will appreciate it and it will make you feel good too and a good impression is always remembered.
3. Lead by example – never ask anyone to do something that you wouldn’t do yourself. Be committed to the team as well as being able to work on your initiative. Remember that respect is earned not just given and every day onboard, if you choose, can be ‘a good day out’!
4. Look after your crew and they will look after you – be honest and open and always share the workload. If someone is struggling, go and help them. Offer support, a smile and encouragement and motivate your crew to do their very best.
5. Cultivate integrity and discretion with your passengers and crew. Know when to take control and when to back off. Be understanding – we can all get ‘tired and emotional’ sometimes… kind words and a discrete nature will be rewarded in the long run.
6. Passion for your work – after 6 months, you will know whether you want to continue flying or not. Seasoned cabin crew will tell you that flying has got into their blood, some would say it is aircraft fuel and some may call it an infection! It is a lifestyle choice, not a job and you have to love it and give it 100% or not at all. It is hard to take a leap into a ground role but usually the transition is there as many crew want to give something back to their peers.
7. Never stop learning! Always know that you can improve, you can make a difference and achieve more. You can learn something from almost everyone you meet. This will keep your job alive and fresh every day and help you to enjoy the experience – even if you are having a rough day.
I hope this inspires you to move forward in your career and consider other options when you need a new challenge. To make a good impression and get promoted it is not about being bossy or having a huge attitude. It is the softer skills that will get you noticed and people will remember you for all the right reasons and want to work with again and you have already earned their respect. When your name is mentioned, you want people to speak well of you, it is a small world and word does get around.
To succeed further you may have to move airlines or try living in a different country or you may decide to venture into corporate flying on private jets – there are always new options out there if you keep an open mind. Being cabin crew is a fantastic job that many people only ever dream of doing and if you can pay back with your experience and want the challenge of something new, you will be helping others to achieve their dreams, which is something well worth the effort.