Packing List: Flight Attendant Training

Exactly two years ago I was getting ready to leave for Flight Attendant Training, and I was trying to figure out what the heck to bring with me. 

Packing for training is complicated by two factors:

1. You're about to live in a hotel room for six weeks.

2. You don't know where you're going after those six weeks are up. 

Normally I abhor overpacking, but in this particular situation there are so many different factors that can come into play. Location of training, your base, whether or not you'll be able to go home before going to to your base, if you're moving to your base, time of year, weather, etc.  

Here is a general list of things that I packed when for initial training. 

Business Casual Attire:

Two pairs of pants

Trouser socks

Three dresses

Two blazers

Four button down shirts

Three blouses

Two skirts

Ten pairs of pantyhose

Black flats

Black heels (less than 3in)

Additional flats

Additional heels 

Casual Attire:

Workout Clothes

Gym Sneakers

Socks

Undergarments

Leggings

Dresses

Jeans

Casual tops

T-shirts

Casual shoes

Flip flops

Seasonal Clothing:

Sandals

Boots/Booties

Warm coat

Scarves

Gloves

Toiletries:

Shampoo

Conditioner

Soap

Hairspray

Facial Care routine items

Extra contact lenses

Glasses

Makeup

Makeup remover wipes

Lotion

Hand sanitizer

Enough medications for two months (prescription and OTC)

Vitamin C Supplements

Hair dryer

Class Supplies:

Notebook

Folder for loose papers/handouts

Highlighters

Pens

Post it Flags

Post It Notes

Masking Tape

Markers

Flash cards

Tote bag to carry class stuff in

Swimsuit that you can wear a shirt and shorts over

Other Items:

Laundry soap (I brought a baggie of soap pods)

Quarters for laundry

Water bottle

Snacks

Extra phone battery/external charger

Tablet

Chargers for phone and tablet

Reusable grocery bags (these are great for laundry)

Plastic baggies

Power strip/extension cord

Things to keep in mind:

-You're going to get uniform clothes and luggage while in training, so be ready to leave with more than you came with.

-Depending on the time of year and your base options, you may want to bring more or less seasonal apparel. I trained in Dallas and got based in Philly over March, so I had to make sure I had some transitional coats etc.

-Honestly, you probably won't NEED all of this for your six weeks of training, especially if you have access to a washer and dryer, but you will probably want most of it when you get to your base. Think through the logistics of getting to your base now. Will you fly home to collect your things before driving to your new city? Will you fly straight from training to your base? If you're flying to your base straight from training, I'm going to recommend that you take advantage of checking as many bags for free as you're allowed to. 

-Store your suitcases under your bed. You can keep a bunch of stuff that you aren't currently using in your bags during training. Use them for storage.

Have more questions? Email me: highflyingadoredblog@gmail.com

How to Ace Your Flight Attendant Interview

Ah, the dreaded job interview. For most people, it's exciting (you're one step closer to the job!) and also terrifying (this is make-it-or-break-it, buddy) to be invited to an interview. 

So while you're at home this winter thinking to yourself "I want to be a Flight Attendant." or even just "Hey, maybe being cabin crew could be fun." fill out the application and start prepping for your interview to join our club. 

Right now there are quite a few airlines hiring to fill open flight attendant jobs. They might call it "inflight jobs" or "cabin crew jobs" but it's all the same- you want your office to be at 30,000 feet and they want to hire talented people like you! Learn some more about it, submit your application, and go for it. 

In this job process, there are quite a few ways in which airlines could interview you for the position you've applied for. 

It could be a video interview that you record in the comfort of your own home, it could be a group interview at a large session, or it could be a private interview with just you and 2-3 interviewers from the company. 

For some airlines, all of those are a part of the process. 

In my opinion, the most exciting part of the process is when they fly you to their corporate headquarters for an interview- I felt like such a celebrity.

Here are a few tips to ace your interview:

For Every Flight Attendant Interview:

• Dress like you already have the job, but don't copy the uniform of the airline you're applying with. Wear a suit in a conservative color. This is a great opportunity to purchase a skirt or pant suit that you'll be able to use for any variety of interviews. I found my navy skirt suit at Banana Republic and I've been very happy with it. Try something like this one that's currently on sale.
• Jewelry: pearls are always a good idea.
• Accessories: personally, we all know that the sassy scarf is the signature flight attendant accessory. If you're a scarf person, wear one! I'm currently obsessed with this Kate Spade "Going Places" scarf. Heart eyes. Guys, keep it simple with a tie in a professional color and pattern. If you want to spice things up, add a coordinating pocket square. 
• Hair: For the ladies, make sure your hairstyle is professional, polished, and simple. For the guys, make sure that any facial hair is neatly trimmed. Even better- be clean shaven.
• Shoes: black dress shoes. The end. Ladies, keep the heel height under 4 inches. 

The Video Interview:

• Check the lighting to ensure that it doesn't wash you out on the screen, and make sure there's enough light that you're not casting weird shadows.
• Ensure your background is neutral- a plain wall, no crazy colors, not in front of a window, a mural, or a bunch of plants. 
• Sit up straight.
• If the program you're using gives you the opportunity to record a test clip, DO IT. Watch it, and make corrections. 
• Stick to the appearance tips I mentioned earlier, no matter how much of you is visible on camera, take this as seriously as any other interview. 

The Group Interview:

• This isn't your chance to show off and prove you're better than everyone else in the room, this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you're a team player. At work, we rely intensely on our co-workers, most of whom we've just met. You need to be calm, kind, patient, and professional.
• Don't fight to outshine everyone around you- this is not your diva moment. 
• Answer questions honestly and illustrate your answer with a travel story if you have one that applies. 
• Support other interviewees in their answers (if appropriate) by using phrases like "I agree with Kate, travel helps us all understand the world we live in."
• If there's a group activity, actively make sure that everyone's voice is heard and contributes to the overall result. 

The Individual Interview:

• This interview will likely be a segment of the events on the day when your group interview happens. Your interviewers will take you to a separate room and ask you one on one questions.
• Have a clear answer to the question: "Why do you want to be a Flight Attendant?" and "Why do you want to work for our airline?" 
• Focus on your experience providing great customer service and being a team player.
• Illustrate your points with stories! 

Things to Avoid:

• "I want to be a Flight Attendant because I really hate my current job."
• "I want to be a Flight Attendant because I love to travel."
• "I want to be a Flight Attendant because I hear the money is good."
• "I want to be a Flight Attendant because the uniform is cute and I hear it's easy to pick up dates on the plane."

At the end of the day, be yourself and be professional. 

Good luck!