Editing Flight attendant (section)

==Overview==
The role of a flight attendant is to "provide routine services and respond to emergencies to ensure the safety and comfort of airline passengers".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/flight-attendants.htm|title=Flight Attendants: Occupational Outlook Handbook|publisher=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=12 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230912211538/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/flight-attendants.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

Typically flight attendants require holding a high school diploma or equivalent, and in the United States, the median annual wage for flight attendants was $50,500 in May 2017, higher than the median for all workers of $37,690.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/home.htm|title=Transportation and Material Moving Occupations: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|website=www.bls.gov|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=1 September 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901223346/https://www.bls.gov/ooh/transportation-and-material-moving/home.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

The number of flight attendants required on flights is mandated by each country's regulations. In the U.S., for light planes with 19 or fewer seats, or, if weighing more than {{cvt|7,500|lb}}, 9 or fewer seats, no flight attendant is needed; on larger aircraft, one flight attendant per 50 passenger seats is required.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?mc=true&n=sp14.3.121.m&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se14.3.121_1391|title=eCFR — Code of Federal Regulations: Title 14, §121.391 Flight attendants.|access-date=27 March 2019|archive-date=6 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210506173746/https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?mc=true&n=sp14.3.121.m&r=SUBPART&ty=HTML#se14.3.121_1391|url-status=live}}</ref>

The majority of flight attendants for most airlines are female, though a substantial number of males have entered the industry since 1980.<ref name="female">Saenz, Rogelio and Evans, Louwanda (June 2009) "[http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2009/usflightattendants.aspx The Changing Demography of U.S. Flight Attendants] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308193515/http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2009/usflightattendants.aspx |date=8 March 2018}}". Population Reference Bureau. Retrieved 16 July 2015.</ref>

===Responsibilities===
{{More citations needed section|date=August 2008}}
[[File:Egypt air Flyght attendant during flight.jpg|left|thumb|An [[EgyptAir]] flight attendant performing a [[pre-flight safety demonstration]]]]

Prior to each flight, flight attendants and pilots go over safety and emergency checklists, the locations of emergency equipment and other features specific to that aircraft type. Boarding particulars are verified, such as special needs passengers, small children travelling alone, or VIPs. Weather conditions are discussed including anticipated [[turbulence]]. A safety check is conducted to ensure equipment such as [[personal flotation device|life-vests]], [[Flashlight|torches]] (flash lights) and firefighting equipment are on board and in proper condition. They monitor the [[Aircraft cabin|cabin]] for any unusual smells or situations. They assist with the loading of [[baggage allowance|carry-on baggage]], checking for weight, size and [[dangerous goods]]. They make sure those sitting in [[Exit row|emergency exit rows]] are willing and able to assist in an evacuation. They then give a [[Pre-flight safety demonstration|safety demonstration]] or monitor passengers as they watch a safety video. They then must "secure the cabin" ensuring tray tables are stowed, [[airline seat|seats]] are in their upright positions, armrests down and carry-ons stowed correctly and seat belts are fastened prior to take-off.<ref name="bls.gov">{{cite web|url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos171.htm|title=Flight Attendants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics|publisher=Bls.gov|access-date=22 August 2012|archive-date=11 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211102138/http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos171.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Aeroflot flight attendant (hostess).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Aeroflot]] flight attendant, [[Belgrade]] (2017)]]
Once up in the air, flight attendants will usually serve drinks and/or food to passengers using an [[airline service trolley]]. The duty has led to the mildly derogatory slang term "trolley dolly".<ref>{{cite book |last=Goddard |first=Steve |title=Seven Floors High |date=2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gM-ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=Steve+Goddard,+Seven+Floors+High+%27trolley+dolly%27&pg=PT216 |publisher=AuthorHouse UK |isbn=9781728376097 |quote=I am sure these people were once normal. That is until they walked into BA's superior 'trolley dolly' school. From day one, I am positive it was drummed into them that all economy passengers are scum. |access-date=11 May 2024 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722150254/https://books.google.com/books?id=gM-ZEAAAQBAJ&dq=Steve+Goddard,+Seven+Floors+High+%27trolley+dolly%27&pg=PT216#v=onepage&q=Steve%20Goddard%2C%20Seven%20Floors%20High%20'trolley%20dolly'&f=false |url-status=live}}</ref> When not performing customer service duties, flight attendants must periodically conduct cabin checks and listen for any unusual noises or situations. Checks must also be done on the lavatory to ensure the [[smoke detector]] has not been disabled or destroyed and to restock supplies as needed. Regular cockpit checks must be done to ensure the health and safety of the pilot(s). They must also respond to call lights dealing with special requests. During turbulence, flight attendants must ensure the cabin is secure. Prior to landing, all loose items, trays and rubbish must be collected and secured along with service and [[Galley (kitchen)|galley]] equipment. All hot liquids must be disposed of. A final cabin check must then be completed prior to [[landing]]. It is vital that flight attendants remain aware as the majority of emergencies occur during take-off and landing.<ref>{{Cite web| url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/10/25/when-flying-is-taking-off-really-more-dangerous-than-landing/#7e01ac5b266e| title=When Flying, is Taking off Really More Dangerous Than Landing?| website=[[Forbes]]| access-date=18 April 2018| archive-date=14 August 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814171554/https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2017/10/25/when-flying-is-taking-off-really-more-dangerous-than-landing/#7e01ac5b266e| url-status=live}}</ref> Upon landing, flight attendants must remain stationed at exits and monitor the aircraft and cabin as passengers disembark the plane. They also assist any special needs passengers and small children off the aeroplane and escort children, while following the proper paperwork and ID process to escort them to the designated person picking them up.

[[File:Germanwings - Service.jpg|thumb|Flight attendants for [[Germanwings]] delivering in-flight services]]

Flight attendants are trained to deal with a wide variety of emergencies, and are trained in [[first aid]]. More frequent situations may include a bleeding nose, illness, small injuries, intoxicated passengers, aggressive and anxiety stricken passengers. Emergency training includes [[rejected takeoff|rejected take-off]]s, [[emergency landing]]s, cardiac and in-flight medical situations, smoke in the cabin, fires, [[Cabin pressurization|depressurisation]], on-board births and deaths, dangerous goods and spills in the cabin, [[emergency evacuation]]s, [[Aircraft hijacking|hijacking]]s, and [[water landing]]s. {{citation needed|date=November 2011}}

====Cabin chimes and overhead panel lights====
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2021}}

On most commercial airliners, flight attendants receive various forms of notification on board the aircraft in the form of [[Alarm device|audible chimes]] and coloured lights above their stations. While the colours and chimes are not universal and may vary between airlines and aircraft types, these colours and chimes are generally the most commonly used:

* '''{{pink|Pink}}''' ([[Boeing]]) or '''{{red|Red}}''' ([[Airbus]]): [[Intercom|interphone]] calls from the cockpit to a flight attendant and/or interphone calls between two flight attendants, the latter case if a green light is not present or being used for the same purpose (steady with high-low chime), or all services emergency call (flashing with repeated high-low chime). On some airlines Airbus' aircraft (such as [[Delta Air Lines]]), this light is accompanied by a high-medium-low chime to call the purser. The [[Boeing 787 Dreamliner]] uses a separate red light to indicate a [[Sterile flight deck rule|sterile flight deck]] while using pink for interphone calls from the cockpit.
* '''{{blue|Blue}}''': call from passenger in seat (steady with single high chime).
* '''{{color|#FFBF00|Amber}}''': call from passenger in lavatory (steady with single high chime), or lavatory smoke detector set off (flashing with repeated high chime).
* '''{{green|Green}}''': on some aircraft (some airlines Airbus aircraft, and the Boeing 787), this colour is used to indicate interphone calls between two flight attendants, distinguishing them from the pink or red light used for interphone calls made from the flight deck to a flight attendant, and is also accompanied with a high-low chime like the pink or red light. On the Boeing 787, a flashing green light with a repeated high-low chime is used to indicate a call to all flight attendant stations.

===Chief purser===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}

The chief purser (CP), also titled as in-flight service manager (ISM), flight service manager (FSM), customer service manager (CSM) or cabin service director (CSD) is the senior flight attendant in the chain of command of flight attendants. While not necessarily the most-senior crew members on a flight (in years of service to their respective carrier), chief pursers can have varying levels of "in-flight" or "on board" bidding seniority or tenure in relation to their flying partners. To reach this position, a crew member requires some minimum years of service as flight attendant. Further training is mandatory, and chief pursers typically earn a higher salary than flight attendants because of the added responsibility and managerial role.

===Purser===
{{Unreferenced section|date=August 2020}}
The [[purser]] is in charge of the cabin crew, in a specific section of a larger aircraft, or the whole aircraft itself (if the purser is the highest ranking). On board a larger aircraft, pursers assist the chief purser in managing the cabin. Pursers are flight attendants or a related job, typically with an airline for several years prior to application for, and further training to become a purser, and normally earn a higher salary than flight attendants because of the added responsibility and supervisory role.