Listening 3
Could you be a flight attendant?
- Right. That’s looked I (wanted) taxed to be a stewardess. 
- Well the first thing to say is that we don’t use the term ‘stewardess’ or ‘steward’ or ‘airhead’s’ anymore. The proper term is ‘flight attendant’.
- Of course, I’m sorry. 
- I’m afraid there is a little help for you if you’re not in your twentieth. Of course, some airlines will take you on saying if you’re nineteen, but practically nowhere line will look at you if you’re over the thirty. So (…) 19 to 29 is about it.
- What about the way you look? [bad word] too differ quite a bit when [bad word] for the physical appearance. If you’re (undefined featuring…) that’s about one mil to 55 your chances are slim. And also if you’re 0.62 about mil to 85 you’re probably excluded. You should be of of-reach build and your weight should be proportional to your height. Some of the aisles repeat narrow and it helps when you could squeeze past the drinks trolley without looking at the passengers’ drink of their hand.
- Isn’t it same for the men, is it?
- Yes, more or less. Another thing is that you’re on your feet for hours at that time walking back and fourth. So you’ve got to be in pretty good health. You don’t need 20:20 vision, but you have got very good outside. Naturally accidents can happen, so just about [bad word] insist on your being able to swim. Another important qualification is you [bad word] secondary school. I think it’s [bad word] to say that a lot [bad word] prefer some people with some college education too. It helps if you have a good (…) Geography. Passengers sometimes like to know what countries they are flying over and if the flight attendant doesn’t know it doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. good memory [bad word] in handy, when you can see that on the 707 transatlantic flights for example there are over 28 thousands items loaded on every flight. And a flight attendant has to know everyone of them. 
- Presumably a flight attendant also needs to know a language or two.
- Well, I’m afraid to say that [bad word] based in English speaking countries are a little bit guilty here. Some don’t have any foreign language which requirements at all. English is enough I’m afraid. However, in other countries at least one foreign language is an absolute necessity. And it’s usually English. 
- So let’s say you’ve got an interview they’re interested in you. What’s important now?
- Fast impressions are important. I think it’s [bad word] to look smart, but as no need to put on your (must boarding mouth fit). There’s nothing wrong with wearing something fashionable. Fashionable but smart. Try [bad word] across of being friendly and confident. Some airlines try to test your poise by asking some difficult personal questions or by making personal remarks about your appearance or your foreign languages. They want to see how you respond impression. Try to remain calm and poise is the best advice I can give. Finally, I should say it’s surprising how many people don’t touchily think about what their job involves before their fly. For [bad word] you have to spend up to three weeks away from home of your time. So if you’ve just met the man or woman of your dreams, think twice before you send off the application form.