The holiday of the air profession is the Day of the flight attendant of civil aviation. World Civil Aviation Flight Attendant Day 12 July World Flight Attendant Day

Today, July 12, is World Flight Attendant Day. civil aviation. Historically, the holiday has developed spontaneously and has never been established at the official level. Nevertheless, every year more and more airlines join the celebration of this date.

Who exactly owns the idea to establish a holiday and how long ago it arose is not exactly known. However, the flight attendant profession itself appeared 90 years ago. It is believed that it originated in Germany in 1928, when a special person began to be taken on board the aircraft, whose duties included providing service during the flight. Previously, this was done by the co-pilot, which was risky from the point of view of flight safety.

Initially, only men performed the functions of flight attendants - most often they were former waiters of expensive restaurants. However, already in 1930, the idea arose in the United States to hire attractive girls - this was supposed to be an additional advertisement for passenger air travel. There was another argument in favor of women: they weighed less, which was of great importance for the aircraft of that time.

The first flight attendant in aviation history was Ellen Church of Iowa. She took her maiden flight in May 1930 on a San Francisco to Cheyenne flight. Ellen graduated from nursing school and took private flying lessons. This served as a decisive argument in her favor - the girl herself offered her services to the airline. Moreover, it was Church who was instructed to recruit the first group to train future flight attendants. They were seven nurses under the age of 25 and weighing no more than 52 kg. It is worth noting that the strict requirements for the appearance and physique of flight attendants have been preserved today, although they have largely changed.

In the 1930s in job description it was specified that flight attendants should greet passengers cordially, validate their tickets, weigh passengers and their luggage, and also deal with its loading and unloading. Before departure, the flight attendants had to clean the cabin and the pilot's cabin, check whether they were securely attached to the floor passenger seats, and if necessary exterminate the flies. In flight, flight attendants were required to distribute chewing gum, blankets, slippers, clean shoes to passengers and clean the toilet. In places of intermediate landings, flight attendants had to carry buckets of fuel to refuel the airliner. When the plane arrived at its destination, the flight attendants helped the ground staff roll it into the hangar.

The girls worked 100 hours a month for $125. Boeing Air Transport hired flight attendants for a three-month trial period, but the practice turned out to be so successful that they were not only enrolled in the state, but also decided to continue to hire mainly women as flight attendants. The requirements for applicants were as follows: to be unmarried, have a nursing diploma, age - no older than 25 years, weight - no more than 52 kg, and height - no more than 160 centimeters.

Today, each airline puts forward its own requirements for applicants for the position of a flight attendant, but there are also general rules. The applicant must be of good appearance and with a pleasant timbre of voice, have a smooth speech without defects and a correct bite. Vision should be correctable within 20-30% or better.

The age of candidates for a trainee position varies from 19 to 29 years. In some companies, the age limit ranges from 18 to 24 years. Weight must correspond to height and medical standards. For young people, height is from 170 to 190 centimeters, for girls - from 160 to 175 centimeters.

A simple story about a flight attendant.

Even now, when asked about her future profession, a little girl can answer - a flight attendant.

And earlier, at the dawn of the development of aviation, it was the most popular and most unattainable dream of many girls and girls! Although the first stewards were men. Their duties included assisting the passenger in boarding and disembarking the aircraft. And servicing them during the flight. Then they were recruited from the waiters of fashionable restaurants. And they had nothing to do with technology. Already on Zeppelin airships there were specially trained specialists in the crew to help passengers in accommodation and to create comfort.

With the rapid growth of aviation, and in particular civil aviation, the question arose of the need for an assistant pilot, a steward, who, only deals with passengers, their safety, provides medical assistance, in general, tries to ensure that demanding, capricious and inquisitive passengers do not interfere pilot.

So the first steward was a man invited by Lufthansa in 1928. He flew in a Junkers F-13 with four passengers on board.

In 1930 the American transport Boeing Air Transport (United Airlines) got interested in the experience of their German colleagues and decided to create a similar service on their lines. Ellen Church, a nurse from San Francisco, contributed a lot to this. She took private flying lessons. And at the end of the course, she came to the manager of Boeing with a request to hire her as a pilot. She received an offer to assemble and lead the first small team of female nurses to work as flight attendants - stewardesses on airlines. The company's management made the right bet.

The fact is that, in those aviation years, Passenger Transportation were not only new, but also quite dangerous. And the presence on board, in flight, of a fragile, pretty girl, as a member of the crew, calmed even the most nervous and fearful passengers. Yes, and the main profession of Ellen, in flight could come in handy. Low flight altitudes led to strong turbulence in the surface wind currents. Few have endured such an ordeal well. This is where Ellen Church's training as a nurse came in handy.

The selection of the first group of stewardesses from seven nurses was quite cruel, even by modern standards. Professional Nurse. Not older than 25 years old. Weighing no more than 115 pounds, which is about 52 kg. Growth was desirable less. Not higher than 163 cm. And the first uniform of the girls was a simple medical gown. There were also conditions that are now not very fond of being remembered in America. Girls were not allowed to marry and have children. They were paid, by those standards, a very decent amount, $ 125 a month. But there were a lot of duties, which the current "goddess of the air" are not even aware of. For example, their duties included assisting the crew in rolling out the aircraft from the hangar and refueling. Loading luggage and cleaning the aircraft. They were also guides, and told the passengers about the places over which the flight took place.

In addition, they provided medical services and fed everyone. And they even caught flies, handed out chewing gum and cleaned shoes to customers! As you can see, there was a lot of work. And yet, when other airlines followed the example of Boeing Air Transport, wanting "sky girls" (sky girls as they were then nicknamed), there were a huge number! Only during the Second World War, due to the massive recruitment of nurses into the army, the selection criteria for girls were somewhat softened. And they began to recruit any suitable girls.

It is CURIOUS that in the country of "developed democracy",

The age criterion was abolished only in the 70s.

And the ban on marriage and children already in the 80s!

Today, it is wrong to perceive the stewardess as a servant who feeds you and looks after you. First of all, the flight attendant must ensure your safety. And the training program for modern flight attendants resembles the training of special forces! Remember, the stewardess on board is a hospitable hostess, temporarily hosting you at home. She is not a servant, like "give-bring", but a full member of the crew of the aircraft. If necessary, she even fly a plane, such courses are also included in the training program. Treat yourself like visiting good friends. And happy flying!

It is interesting:

* The deadline for a flight attendant in Russia is 45 years.

* The girls of the American airline Hooters Air had the most defiant uniform. Under the motto "fly hot". The girls were dressed in T-shirts and short boxer shorts. The company closed in 2006, but the whole of America still remembers the orange shorts and deep cleavage of flight attendants.

*Thai airline P.C/Air employs transsexuals with a “third gender” badge. Be carefull!

* Yugoslav stewardess Vulovich Vesna survived a fall from 10,000 meters!

* 2-3 months train stewardesses in Russia. Each company has its own methods.

* In 2008, a Canadian flight attendant herself landed a plane with passengers at Shannon Airport. The commander "went crazy", and the co-pilot was injured, trying to reason with a colleague.

Every year professional holiday- - say representatives of one of the most romantic specialties in the world, better known to us as stewards and stewardesses.

It may seem surprising, but this profession is more than 80 years old. It is believed that it originated in Germany in 1928, when a special person was taken on board the aircraft, whose duties included providing service during the flight - a steward. Previously, this was done by the co-pilot of the aircraft, which was risky from the point of view of flight safety.

At first, the functions of flight attendants were performed by men - most often they were former waiters of expensive restaurants. However, already in 1930, in the United States, the idea arose to attract attractive girls to work - this was supposed to be an additional advertisement for passenger air travel. There was another argument in favor of the fair sex: they weighed less, which was of great importance for the aircraft of that time.

Ellen Church (1904 - 1965) from Iowa is called the first flight attendant in the history of aviation. On her first flight in this capacity, she departed 1930 on a flight from Oakland to Chicago for air transport Boeing.

Ellen Church (standing in the doorway, left) became the world's first flight attendant.

Ellen graduated from nursing courses, in addition, she took private flying lessons - this served as a decisive argument in her favor: the girl herself offered her services to the airline. Moreover, it was Miss Church who was tasked with recruiting the first group to train future stewardesses; they were seven nurses under the age of 25 and weighing no more than 52 kilograms.

The weight of a flight attendant is not that important these days. But when selecting personnel, the principle of "three O" is often used: this is an external image (speech, facial expressions, makeup, external attractiveness); internal image (the presence of the necessary character traits); professional image (professional knowledge and skills).

The main duty of a modern flight attendant is to ensure the safety of passengers during the flight. In addition, stewards and stewardesses do everything to make passengers feel comfortable.

If you want to see the world -
It's best to fly by plane.
On board the aircraft comfort and convenience,
The flight attendant creates it!

Let everything be in order in your life,
Let takeoffs and landings be safe,
Flying weather, happiness and patience,
Always in everything good luck and luck!

Aviation allows you to move goods and people over long distances in a short time. Despite a common misconception, this type of transport is one of the safest. It is an important part of the economy of developed countries. An international professional holiday is dedicated to specialists employed in this industry.

Who is celebrating

The flight attendants of civil aviation take part in the event. The holiday is celebrated by employees of aviation enterprises, teachers, students, course participants, graduates of specialized educational institutions. Their relatives, friends, acquaintances, close people join the action.

History and traditions of the holiday

The holiday appeared after the formation of a similar profession in the 20s of the XX century. It first appeared in Germany in 1928, where the passenger service functions were shifted from the co-pilot to a specially trained person. This decision was dictated by security considerations. Thus, the crew was freed from performing extraneous tasks.

The purpose of the event is to increase the prestige of flight attendants, draw attention to their problems, and join their ranks. Such an action demonstrates the high role of employees in the competitive struggle of companies.

International Flight Attendant Day 2020 brings together specialists in many countries of the world, including Russia. Colleagues and their acquaintances, relatives, friends, close people gather at festive tables in cafes and restaurants. Participants exchange experience, discuss innovations. Congratulations, wishes of health, success in responsible work sound. An invariable attribute of honoring is the pronunciation of the traditional toast that the number of takeoffs should match the number of landings.

Distinguished employees are awarded diplomas and valuable gifts. Management notes the important role of employees in providing high service.

Facilities mass media prepare programs about the history of the industry. Veterans of civil aviation, former and current stewardesses act as the main characters of the plots and interviews. They talk about their life path, interesting cases during flights. Events often take place in nature, if the weather of the summer month is favorable. A picnic is accompanied by swimming in ponds, fishing and cooking on an open fire.

About the profession

Civil aviation flight attendants perform the tasks of servicing passengers during flights. They are obliged to advise, provide prescribed food and drinks.

The path to the profession begins after the completion of courses or educational institution. The graduate masters the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills. Only those who pass the required exams are allowed to work.

Employees are subject to strict requirements for knowledge of foreign languages, the level of service. The steward must have first aid skills.

Activities are classified as dangerous to life and health. It is caused not only by significant stresses, possible catastrophes, but also by prolonged radioactive exposure. Its background during the flight in the upper atmosphere is much higher than on the Earth's surface. In the West, the profession of a boat attendant is highly paid and in demand due to big park liners of numerous airlines.

On July 12, flight attendants around the world celebrate their professional holiday. In the aviation industry, the vast majority of flight attendants have long been women, and all passengers are accustomed to calling them flight attendants. Our site is pleased to congratulate all flight attendants and wish them pleasant flights and soft landings!

• The white plane takes off
• The stewardess meets us on board - just class!
• Fasten the straps for everyone, and pour some water for everyone,
• Happy holiday to you, beauty, aviation find!

Some history and facts