The first cabin crew was a reportedly a man working on a German Zeppelin in 1911. The first airliners were actually mail planes with a few extra spaces for passengers. On these flights, you had to take care of yourself as the plane crew only included the pilots, and they were too busy flying the plane that they didn’t have time to tend to the passengers.
Imperial Airways a UK airline started recruiting cabin boys in the 1920’s. These crew members were usually teenagers or small men and were mainly on board to load luggage, reassure nervous passengers and help people get around the plane.
In 1930 a 25 year old registered nurse named Ellen Church along with Steve Stimpson of Boeing Air Transport, came up with a new kind of flight attendant. Church proposed that all cabin crew should be registered nurses as they can then take care of any passengers that may fall sick. Boeing, then an airline as well as a plane manufacturer, hired eight nurses for a 3 month trial run. Other airlines soon followed suit, hiring only nurses to serve as cabin crew during their flights. This in turn soon became an integral part of the airline industry. The requirement to be a registered nurse was relaxed at the start of World War II, as so many nurses were enlisted into the armed forces.
Until fairly recently air cabin crew were under strict control. They were not allowed to be married and there was strict restraints on their weight and features. Their clothing was similarly restrictive, the majority of airlines required their cabin crew to wear form-fitting uniforms with white gloves and high heels throughout most of the flight. Although it was thought of as a perfectly respectable occupation for younge women to have, early cabin crew members were generally underpaid, had minimal benefits and were in a subservient role to the pilots. During the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s cabin crew unions, as well as representatives from the equal rights movement, brought about sweeping changes in the airline industry which addressed these problems.
Since the 1970’s the policy of major airlines has been to hire both men and women for the role of cabin crew and have no restrictions on weight as long as the person is not overly over the average weight for their height and that it does not pose any health problems. The airlines also recognised their cabin crew as a crucial component of the air-travel industry. After all, to most passengers, the cabin crew members are the face of the airline.
We know that the job of a cabin crew member, flight attendant or air steward is a much desired one and the dream of many! The actual definition of the role is that cabin crew are there for the safety and well being of the passengers – as well as each other, writes Patricia Green. Safety is the top priority with service being the second.
You can be cabin crew for an airline, a private jet or sometimes in the military. The origins of the ‘flight attendant’ or ‘air steward’ title is thought to have come from the maritime world and today is still seen in the airline career ladder in roles such as ‘purser’ or ‘chief steward’. But where did it all begin? Here we take a look…
1920s, 1930s, 1940s
The first cabin crew member was reportedly Heinrich Kubis in 1912, who worked on a German Zeppelin. In the 1920’s Imperial Airways in the UK started to recruit cabin boys who could load luggage and reassure the passengers. In 1929, Pan Am in the USA were the first to have ‘stewards’ who served food. However, in the 1930’s Boeing Air Transport and registered nurse Ellen Church devised a scheme where nurses were hired for 3 months at a time to travel onboard and look after the passengers. During World War II, many of the nurses were enlisted into the armed forces, therefore the nursing requirement for ‘flight attendants’ changed.
1950s and 1960s
Through the 50’s and 60’s, being a flight attendant was seen as a very elite profession but conditions were very strict – unmarried females only were accepted and overall appearance was very important. If you wanted to get married, you would have to give up your job. The uniforms were form fitting and often with hats, high heels and white gloves, so a certain glamorous reputation was always perceived.
1970s and beyond
Things started to change again in the 1970’s with the start of unions and equal rights between men and women. Ironically more man joined the profession during these times and it is seen less as just a female role.
Nowadays, although appearance is still an important factor as cabin crew are the face of the airline, rules are less restrictive regards age and height/ weight restrictions with weight being in proportion to height, being the general model. Tattoos that are visible are mostly unacceptable as airlines still want to keep a very prestigious image.
Grooming standards and personal presentation are still very important and expected to remain at all times. Uniforms are designed not only to be durable and stylish (often top designers are hired) but to inspire confidence for the passengers, a long way from the original nurses uniforms of the 1930s!
Post 9/11
Since 9/11 and tougher safety regulations, it is a more difficult job than it used to be and our role has become more challenging but the skills you learn you will appreciate for life… Unfortunately, the recent recession has called for many airlines to close down and contracts are often short term but the industry is struggling to find its feet again. Competition for every cabin crew job is fierce and it is still one of the most difficult jobs to get!
However, it is still an amazing job to do if you get the chance and you will never regret the experience.
The first cabin crew was a reportedly a man working on a German Zeppelin in 1911. The first airliners were actually mail planes with a few extra spaces for passengers. On these flights, you had to take care of yourself as the plane crew only included the pilots, and they were too busy flying the plane that they didn’t have time to tend to the passengers.
Imperial Airways a UK airline started recruiting cabin boys in the 1920’s. These crew members were usually teenagers or small men and were mainly on board to load luggage, reassure nervous passengers and help people get around the plane.
In 1930 a 25 year old registered nurse named Ellen Church along with Steve Stimpson of Boeing Air Transport, came up with a new kind of flight attendant. Church proposed that all cabin crew should be registered nurses as they can then take care of any passengers that may fall sick. Boeing, then an airline as well as a plane manufacturer, hired eight nurses for a 3 month trial run. Other airlines soon followed suit, hiring only nurses to serve as cabin crew during their flights. This in turn soon became an integral part of the airline industry. The requirement to be a registered nurse was relaxed at the start of World War II, as so many nurses were enlisted into the armed forces.
Until fairly recently air cabin crew were under strict control. They were not allowed to be married and there was strict restraints on their weight and features. Their clothing was similarly restrictive, the majority of airlines required their cabin crew to wear form-fitting uniforms with white gloves and high heels throughout most of the flight. Although it was thought of as a perfectly respectable occupation for younge women to have, early cabin crew members were generally underpaid, had minimal benefits and were in a subservient role to the pilots. During the 1960’s, 70’s and 80’s cabin crew unions, as well as representatives from the equal rights movement, brought about sweeping changes in the airline industry which addressed these problems.
Since the 1970’s the policy of major airlines has been to hire both men and women for the role of cabin crew and have no restrictions on weight as long as the person is not overly over the average weight for their height and that it does not pose any health problems. The airlines also recognised their cabin crew as a crucial component of the air-travel industry. After all, to most passengers, the cabin crew members are the face of the airline.
We know that the job of a cabin crew member, flight attendant or air steward is a much desired one and the dream of many! The actual definition of the role is that cabin crew are there for the safety and well being of the passengers – as well as each other, writes Patricia Green. Safety is the top priority with service being the second.
You can be cabin crew for an airline, a private jet or sometimes in the military. The origins of the ‘flight attendant’ or ‘air steward’ title is thought to have come from the maritime world and today is still seen in the airline career ladder in roles such as ‘purser’ or ‘chief steward’. But where did it all begin? Here we take a look…
1920s, 1930s, 1940s
The first cabin crew member was reportedly Heinrich Kubis in 1912, who worked on a German Zeppelin. In the 1920’s Imperial Airways in the UK started to recruit cabin boys who could load luggage and reassure the passengers. In 1929, Pan Am in the USA were the first to have ‘stewards’ who served food. However, in the 1930’s Boeing Air Transport and registered nurse Ellen Church devised a scheme where nurses were hired for 3 months at a time to travel onboard and look after the passengers. During World War II, many of the nurses were enlisted into the armed forces, therefore the nursing requirement for ‘flight attendants’ changed.
1950s and 1960s
Through the 50’s and 60’s, being a flight attendant was seen as a very elite profession but conditions were very strict – unmarried females only were accepted and overall appearance was very important. If you wanted to get married, you would have to give up your job. The uniforms were form fitting and often with hats, high heels and white gloves, so a certain glamorous reputation was always perceived.
1970s and beyond
Things started to change again in the 1970’s with the start of unions and equal rights between men and women. Ironically more man joined the profession during these times and it is seen less as just a female role.
Nowadays, although appearance is still an important factor as cabin crew are the face of the airline, rules are less restrictive regards age and height/ weight restrictions with weight being in proportion to height, being the general model. Tattoos that are visible are mostly unacceptable as airlines still want to keep a very prestigious image.
Grooming standards and personal presentation are still very important and expected to remain at all times. Uniforms are designed not only to be durable and stylish (often top designers are hired) but to inspire confidence for the passengers, a long way from the original nurses uniforms of the 1930s!
Post 9/11
Since 9/11 and tougher safety regulations, it is a more difficult job than it used to be and our role has become more challenging but the skills you learn you will appreciate for life… Unfortunately, the recent recession has called for many airlines to close down and contracts are often short term but the industry is struggling to find its feet again. Competition for every cabin crew job is fierce and it is still one of the most difficult jobs to get!
However, it is still an amazing job to do if you get the chance and you will never regret the experience.
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