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Navigating chaotic airports, airline cancellations and delays is tough for many Canadians traveling by air this winter, but it’s a daily reality for flight attendants.
Part of their job now is to hear from passengers about those issues.
“They’re on the plane with the passengers, so it’s a captive audience. And people want to talk … people want to ask about their relationships, their luggage, their pets,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of CUPE. Represents Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants.
“Everything will be on the flight attendant because he’s the only person there.”
Despite the conflicts in aviation — whether it’s about the latest air travel issues or the masking of COVID-19 regulations — some in the industry say the job is still interesting and there’s still plenty of demand.
‘Incredible growth’ in hiring
This weekend, Emirates will hold a cabin crew open day in Toronto to attract new employees.
“Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, is seeking candidates to join its global cabin crew team,” a company news release said.
“The airline is looking for individuals who are passionate about providing a simple yet personal and impeccable service, creating memorable moments for its customers.”
Lesosky said Air Canada has seen “tremendous growth” in hiring despite the new challenges of becoming a flight attendant.
“It comes with a lot more challenges,” Lesosky said. But “there are still benefits to travel. There are still great benefits.”
Christina Ling, who runs a training school called the Flight Attendant Institute, agrees that demand for the job is not waning.
“Despite the current situation in the aviation world, there is still no shortage of people who want to pursue this career,” she said.
“Because it’s so unique and there’s just a mystique and travel charm about it.”
Ling’s continued demand is largely due to increased job opportunities.
“There are so many open cabin calls … jobs are available, and there is no shortage of people who want to apply for this profession.”
Managing challenges
When it comes to the challenges posed by Covid-19 — coupled with the recent spate of delays and cancellations — Ling said she adapted her flight attendant training to better prepare students for what they’ll face.
“A lot of the challenges flight attendants face these days are people not wanting to wear their masks,” she said.
“Hopefully my training will help them deal with that and any other situations that may arise in flight.”
Ling, a former flight attendant from a family of airline workers, finds the current climate difficult, with flight attendants having little control over what passengers experience.
“We don’t make the rules, we have to follow the rules set by the airline,” she said.
She says that Covid-19 is still creating a problem with staffing, as airlines require a minimum staffing ratio per passenger.
“It’s very disappointing for the airline staff because we want to provide the best service we can given the current circumstances.”
Another challenge, Lesosky says, is wages. He said the first-year salary for a flight attendant is still around $26,000 a year. Not enough, he said, considering many Canadian flight attendants are based in Toronto or Vancouver, where the cost of living is higher.
“That might have been a better salary years ago, but it doesn’t keep track of things anymore,” Lesoski said.
“I see it as a challenge when new hires come in.”
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