Saloni Barfi always dreamt of a life that involved travelling and exploring the world. It was with this dream that she enrolled for a course at Frankfinn 10 years ago. And since the last five years she has been living her dream.
She was a ground staff at the airport before becoming a flight attendant. She says, “You do not necessarily need to take any formal training to be a flight attendant. Preparing well for the interview, being well-groomed and expressing an inclination towards customer service helps. Background in hospitality, customer-relations, nursing is always favoured.”
Saloni says that this job comes with its own boons and bane. Though it may look very glamorous, it is not always so. For instance, she speaks of a Christmas in London, when she was so tired that she did not step out of the hotel room.
She says, “This job gives you a chance to travel, earn good money and gives you a chance to stay in amazing hotels. However, it is a lonely job. You can get disconnected from the world. Women can suffer varicose veins because they have to constantly walk around in the cabin. Dry skin and early aging are also an issue as the air in the aircraft is very dry. You are responsible for the safety of the passengers and thus, need to be alert even in the wee hours of the morning during duty. So, it’s not as glamorous as it seems from outside.”
But she asserts that with all the hazards of the job, it is a fulfilling and satisfying work if you love to travel. “Cabin crew are the brand ambassadors for an airline and thus need to be always professional when seen in public. They unconsciously become behaviour experts as they encounter so many types of passengers.”
Saloni values the work she does and treasures the opportunity it has opened up for her. She adds, “This job truly gives u wings! It has given me financial independence and most importantly changed me as a person. Being in service industry makes you more compassionate and empathetic and confident to deal with people. The most essential part of this job is that you are responsible for the safety of your passengers so this enhances your skills related to first-aid and security.”
Saloni strongly advises that one should finish their academic courses before taking a plunge into flight hospitality. She says, “Once a crew, always a crew! Flying changes your lifestyle and also your body clock. It’s difficult for me to imagine myself doing a desk job. If I leave aviation, I would turn to tourism or may be wildlife conservation. I should definitely plan for the future as I can’t be a cabin crew forever.” Hence, she also advises aspirants to have a back up plan as this kind of travelling can get addictive, and you cannot do it forever.
Saloni feels that sometimes you may have a bad flight wherein you dislike all the drama from the fliers, and wish you would have studied more to be a flight captain. But then some flights are amazing with great crew members.
The different destinations are a great opportunity to satisfy any wanderlust. Despite all the hiccups, Saloni still loves her job.
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