SKY'S THE LIMIT AS SCHOOL HELPS STUDENTS GET READY FOR TAKE-OFF

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Tassaneeya Kotrebuntou says her job as a flight attendant trainer is ”a lot like being the handler of a beauty pageant contestant”. The 37-year-old operator of the Thai Sky Project, a Bangkok-based flight attendant training school, said there are differences both subtle and major in how attendants should handle themselves depending on which airline they’re with.

Middle Eastern airlines want female flight attendants to be mature, self-confident and tough, while also having leadership and problem-solving skills. European and US airlines are looking for similar qualities, but also want them to be flexible and friendly.

Asian airlines, on the other hand, are after the opposite _ female flight attendants who are young, submissive and courteous. They shouldn’t be too self-confident, but rather easily influenced, said Ms Tassaneeya, a 37-year-old retired Japan Airlines flight attendant with 11 years’ experience in the air.

She said prospective flight attendants need to adapt to the cultures of the countries where they’re based. Women must be mature and tough in order to deal with life in Dubai, for example, and on board Middle Eastern airlines they’ll face different different cultural attitudes than they would on Asian ones.

Prim Wanasphitaksakul conducting a class.

Just before Children’s Day on Jan 14, Abac released a survey by the Academic Network for Community Happiness Observation and Research of 1,205 parents, children and teenagers in Bangkok from Jan 4-11.

The poll showed that 31% of girls and boys ranked flight attendant or pilot as their top job choices. The next most popular choices were acting and singing, becoming a doctor, entering business and joining the police. Fewer than 0.2% wanted to enter politics.

According to Ms Tassaneeya, young girls prefer a career in the sky because it is well paid and the work is varied. There are also more personal reasons, such as one gets to dress nicely and travel and meet people.

”A new university graduate might make 15,000 baht at a company, but a young woman can make up to 50,000 baht as a flight attendant,” said Ms Tassaneeya. ”There’s more freedom in the job.”

Young girls are also drawn to the profession because of the common perception of flight attendants as attractive, trendy and skilled in languages.

But of course the reality differs from the ideal image _ attendants must deal with the mood swings of passengers and colleagues, irregular sleep and lifestyles and no regular holidays. Plus, there is less career security compared to a normal nine-to-five job.

Flight attendants’ careers usually last only around 10 years and there are few opportunities for advancement. Most airlines only hire on a contract basis, after which most attendants leave to start their own businesses, work in the hospitality industry or get married.

”Except for Thai Airways, this is how it is for most people,” said Ms Tassaneeya. ”Some girls only work for two or three years then leave to further their studies or do something else.”

Ms Tassaneeya is an example of someone who parlayed her time as a flight attendant into her own business. The Thai Sky Project was the brainchild of her former fellow flight attendant at Japan Airlines, Prim Wanasphitaksakul, 38.

A tutorial on how to wai properly.

The two women set up Thai Sky Project with two other partners. It’s one of over 30 similar training centres in Thailand, a testament to the popularity of the career.

”We have had more than 1,200 students since opening in March, 2009,” said Ms Tassaneeya. She says 20% of them are male.

One of their graduates is 24-year-old Kwanruethai Thengthum, who works for Oman Air.

”I think the career gives you opportunities to travel. The salary is better than other careers. Especially for a new [university] graduate like me, this would be a different experience,” she said.

”It’s a profession you can be proud of. There’s elegance and charisma to it,” said Chalermphon Thotsaphorn, 23, another graduate of Thai Sky Project who now works for Qatar Airways.

There are flight attendant training schools around the world, each tailored to specific needs.

”Here we focus on many things, from applying to an airline to what to do when on board a flight doing your job,” said Ms Tassaneeya.

She said many young Thais lack the self-confidence, personality and manners to deal with passengers of different nationalities, cultures and temperaments.

Since the global economic slump and the rise of oil prices, young women are looking to Middle Eastern airlines, as they are the ones still hiring the most. Therefore, maturity, self-confident, toughness, leadership and problem-solving skills are very important.

Lessons at Ms Tassaneeya’s school can be as simple as how to knock on a door and wait for permission before entering, to preparing documents, interview techniques and presentations.

For graduates such as Ms Kwanruethai, the challenges and cultural adjustments have proven well worth it. ”There’s always something new and exciting, allowing me to live my life to the fullest,” she said.

”And it also gives me a chance to shop. I like shopping a lot.”

GETTING THEIR WINGS: Above: Tassaneeya Kotrebuntou teaching a class.

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About the author

Writer: Voranai Vanijaka
Position: Political and Social Commentator

UpUp&AGay News | Article source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/lifestyle/family/277305/sky-s-the-limit-as-school-helps-students-get-ready-for-take-off

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