This paper discusses the career opportunities for aspiring flight attendants in Cathay Pacific Airlines. Insights about the plane industry and the duties of flight attendants are provided for to give a clear view of the nature of this job. Moreover, a brief background on Cathay Pacific Airlines is included in this paper to establish the basic reasons why it was selected. Lastly, this paper is aimed to present the opportunities for the said industry and the personal attributes that makes one qualified for the job.
Introduction:
Setting a career path for oneself entails a great deal of assessment. As such, one must be able to distinguish the industry where he is interested in and is most likely to succeed. The choice of the company is also a key factor for it determines the career progression for its employees. With this in mind, a career in the plane industry specifically as a flight attendant was selected. This career was the primary choice because of the personal interest in air travel. Also, a career in the plane industry specifically in Cathay Pacific Airlines can provide more opportunities for promotion. Additionally, the acquired education is suitable for this job. The course and trainings undergone meets the qualification of the job. Equipped with this qualifications and perseverance, greater opportunities can be awaited specially in a fast and dynamic industry such as the Cathay Pacific Airlines
Career Path as a Flight Attendant
The adventure of travel is associated with the career of flight attendants. The most interesting about this career is the opportunity to travel while being paid at the same time. As one, you are bale to visit some interesting places abroad that are learned in the school. Aside from this, you are able to experience the culture of other countries and eat different kinds of food. Flight attendants get to meet so many people with different backgrounds and circumstance every flight they make (’Flight Attendant: Onna Williams’, 1997).
Typically, the work day of flight attendants start in a city and ends in another city or may be another country. The working time in this industry is not standardized. Due to the nature of the industry, the arrangements for work hours may involve the combination of shifting, weekend and night work as well as irregular hours (Shalla, 2004). As an attendant, one needs to ensure the safety and comfort of the passengers during and after the flight. By the end of each flight, they are tasked to do reports that involve recording unusual incidents, sales, and customs documentation (‘Flight Attendant’, 2006).The industry is indeed demanding but opportunities for career progression are obtainable in this industry.
Greater opportunities for flight attendants can be acquired by working in prominent airlines. Cathay Pacific Airlines, being the flag bearer of Hong Kong and one of Asia’s highly regarded airlines is an excellent venue for this. It is partnered with other international airlines such as the American Airlines, British Airways, Iberia and Qantas. Another attribute of this airline is it bilateral relationships with Asian countries such as Air China, Japan Airlines, Philippine Airlines among others. In 2006, it also acquired 100 percent holding of th4e biggest airline serving mainland China (‘Cathay Pacific’, 2007).
With the vision of being the world’s most admired airline, Cathay Pacific offers a diverse range of career paths both in the air and on the ground. The quality of service catered to the passengers is prided by the airline. With this, they are continuously seeking for qualified flight attendants that are willing to work in a dynamic and demanding industry. Flight attendants of Cathay Pacific are regarded as special individuals. They are trained individuals, caring team players and ambassadors of Hong Kong. The responsiveness to the needs of the passengers and genuine care for their comfort and safety is the basic principle for this position.
Furthermore, the adventures of traveling in different countries are part of the job at Cathay Pacific Airlines. Each flight is an International route and that includes exciting destination for flight attendants each month. Three year contract are given to new flight attendants that allows them to reinforce their career paths.
Promotions are given and are based on the individual performance. The career path starts from being a flight attendant to flight purser. Next to this is senior flight purser and lastly the in flight service manger. A wide range of benefits is given to flight attendants which include a competitive pay, medical coverage, insurances and retirement benefits (‘Cathay Pacific’, 2007). Undeniably, being part of Cathay Pacific Airlines fulfills one’s dreams of exploring the world and being part of a competitive industry.
Conclusion
Indeed, there is a great responsibility associated with this job. Aside from ensuring the safety and comfort of the passengers, flight attendants also reflect the hospitability of their country. As in the Cathay Pacific Airlines, they serve as ambassadors of Hong Kong to foreign passengers. Thus, aspiring attendants must possess all the qualifications required of this job. Fundamentally, the adequate education I’ve acquired in airplane service serves this qualification. With the linguistic training undergone for difficult situations, I am certain to handle very well any untoward incident or emergency that may transpire during the flights. The linguistic training I have acquired will be of great help in terms of communicating with passengers in any modern language. Customer relation skills are also vital in this job. Thus my ability to interact in a courteous and polite manner can be very essential in the performance of such work.
Additionally, my interest and enthusiasm in air travel makes the job interesting and exciting. This gives a degree of motivation to overcome the stress and strenuous activities associated with this kind of work. The promising career path for flight attendants specifically in the Cathay Pacific Airlines serves as a great venue to apply my education and the trainings undergone. Equipped with these basic requirements and the positive outlook towards air travel work, the capacity to succeed as flight attendants is never far from reach.
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