High flying
SHALINI UMACHANDRAN
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Want to know more about making a career in the skies? Here's what you are looking for.
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Flying high takes on a whole new meaning with this career — being a flight attendant. Stewards and stewardesses of the sky, they work their way to exotic (and not so exotic) destinations.
If you've already decided that this is the career for you, Vijaya Lukose's book, Ten Steps to Become an Air Hostess is essential reading. It gives a clear idea of what it takes to make a career in the airlines, what the job entails, what qualifications are necessary and how tough this very glamorised profession can be.
With 15 years of experience in the airline industry, Vijaya Lukose is well qualified to advise aspiring airhostesses. Vijaya was India's first woman flight safety instructor and has worked with Air India, Eastern Airlines, US and East West Airlines, India, and has been trained by Boeing in Seattle, Fokker in Amsterdam and IATA in Geneva and is an FAA and DGCA approved flight safety instructor. She is currently head of in-flight services at Air Deccan.
The book lives up to its title, and in 10 chapters touches upon all aspects such as technical knowledge of aircraft, writing a resume and covering letter, how to dress for the interview, what the medical involves and even has a chapter on the history of aviation. A comprehensive guide to a career as a flight attendant, it even gives the names and addresses of airlines in India and the U.S.
The book doesn't glamorise the profession in any way — in fact there is only a passing mention of the opportunities to travel and meet new people, and make a lot of money in the process. Vijaya focuses on the nitty-gritties of the job, the daily grind and the unpredictable hours.
She clearly explains that model-like looks and figures are not absolutely necessary. What you need are a pleasant personality, an agreeable disposition, confidence and presence of mind — and of course, be well groomed and have good manners.
10 Steps to Become an Air Hostess — Your Career as a Flight Attendant in Domestic and International Airlines by Vijaya Lukose, published by BPI (India), Rs. 125.
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