Flight attendants or stewards are professional ratings on aircraft and aircraft, where they serve passengers and ensure that they comply with safety regulations. There is practically no difference between a flight attendant and a steward - it's all about the history of this profession and the more beautiful name of the profession in the second case.
The appearance of the stewards
Flight attendants are initially called upon to provide passengers with maximum comfort and be responsible for maintaining peace of mind during the flight, as well as provide them with assistance if necessary. After the inception of airlines, passenger flights were serviced by a co-pilot, but this practice turned out to be unviable due to the increased risk of violation of flight safety. In this regard, German air carriers in 1928 introduced a third member to their crews, who received the name "steward". In addition to security purposes, this move also had an advertising purpose - the stewards of both sexes had to have an attractive appearance that would enhance the desire of passengers to use the services of the company.
As for the flight attendants, they were also taken for their low weight, since in those days every extra kilogram in the cabin was important.
The duties of the flight attendant or steward include inspecting the aircraft to identify foreign objects on board and control its sanitary condition, as well as checking the completeness and serviceability of the onboard equipment. In addition, the steward monitors the work of the internal communication, receives and places on board the airliner's property, pantry and kitchen equipment and, in fact, passengers. During the flight, the steward is responsible for serving the airline's customers - they distribute magazines, newspapers, food and drinks (if the flight class suggests it). In addition, stewards notify passengers about the temperature overboard and the terrain flown, provide first aid and control the climate in the aircraft cabin.
Requirements for stewards
Flight attendants are required to have sociability, accuracy, attention to detail, responsibility, tolerance, emotional stability and special education. Each steward is obliged to be able to make independent and adequate decisions in a critical situation, as well as to delicately come out of conflict clashes with passengers (in the case of drunk or hysterical clients). After successfully passing the interview and medical examination for work in the airline, the steward goes to the preparatory courses, which last for three months. During this time, the steward studies the theoretical and practical parts of his profession, after which exams await him.
To obtain an international certificate of obtaining the profession of a steward, students study abroad, receiving a scholarship during this period.
The stewards who pass the exam go through thirty training hours of flight, after which they are issued a third class flight attendant certificate, the increase of which will depend on the hours flown in the future. The disadvantage of the steward profession is early disability due to frequent exposure to radiation, vibration and noise, as well as pressure drops and jet lag. In addition, the work of a steward requires constant self-control, which does not have the best effect on the state of the nervous system.
