What are the responsibilities of a flight attendant?

I'm considering different career paths, and I'm interested in knowing what being a flight attendant is like. What are the main duties and responsibilities? Is the training process difficult? Also, do they get to travel for free?

Flight attendants play a critical role in ensuring the comfort and safety of airline passengers. Their primary responsibilities include:

1. Pre-flight Briefings: They participate in pre-flight briefings with pilots about the flight, its course, expected weather conditions, and any potential security concerns.

2. Cabin Preparation: They make sure the cabin is clean, and that all supplies - such as food, beverages, and emergency equipment - are available and in order.

3. Safety Demonstrations: They demonstrate safety procedures and equipment to passengers before take-off. This includes demonstrating how to fasten and unfasten seat belts, use oxygen masks, and exit the aircraft in case of an emergency.

4. Assisting Passengers: Flight attendants help passengers with luggage, confirm passengers are seated in the correct seats, and provide special help to certain passengers, such as the elderly or families traveling with children.

5. Serving Meals and Drinks: Depending on the length and time of the flight, they may serve meals and refreshments.

6. Addressing Passenger Concerns: Flight attendants respond to passenger needs throughout the flight, provide comfort in case of turbulence, and manage challenging passenger behavior when necessary.

7. Post-flight Tasks: This involves checking the plane for cleanliness, and leftover items and ensuring everyone has safely exited the plane.

As for training, it typically takes several weeks and is quite comprehensive. The Federal Aviation Administration requires all U.S. flight attendants to complete training that covers a variety of topics, from emergency procedures and handling medical emergencies to customer service and cabin services.

And yes, one of the benefits of being a flight attendant is that you usually have the opportunity to travel for free, or at a reduced rate, when not working. This generally applies to the airline where the flight attendant is employed, but may also extend to other partner airlines. Additionally, some airlines may offer these benefits to their direct family members as well.

Remember that the role can potentially be stressful and physically demanding, with irregular hours and often spending a lot of time away from home. But if you love traveling and enjoy providing service to others, it can be an engaging and varied career choice.