Flight attendantsMajor airlines are required by law to provide flight attendants for the safety of the traveling public. Although the primary job of the flight attendants is to ensure that safety regulations are followed, they also try to make flights comfortable and enjoyable for passengers. At least 1 hour before each flight, attendants are briefed by the captain—the pilot in command—on such things as emergency evacuation procedures, coordination of the crew, the length of the flight, expected weather conditions, and special issues having to do with passengers. Flight attendants make sure that first-aid kits and other emergency equipment are aboard and in working order and that the passenger cabin is in order, with adequate supplies of food, beverages, and blankets. As passengers board the plane, flight attendants greet them, check their tickets, and tell them where to store coats and carry-on items. Before the plane takes off, flight attendants instruct all passengers in the use of emergency equipment and check to see that seat belts are fastened, seat backs are in upright positions, and all carry-on items are properly stowed. In the air, helping passengers in the event of an emergency is the most important responsibility of a flight attendant. Safety-related actions may range from reassuring passengers during occasional encounters with strong turbulence to directing passengers who must evacuate a plane following an emergency landing. Flight attendants also answer questions about the flight; distribute reading material, pillows, and blankets; and help small children, elderly or disabled persons, and any others needing assistance. They may administer first aid to passengers who become ill. Flight attendants generally serve beverages and other refreshments and, on many flights, heat and distribute precooked meals or snacks. Prior to landing, flight attendants take inventory of headsets, alcoholic beverages, and moneys collected. They also report any medical problems passengers may have had, the condition of cabin equipment, and lost and found articles. Lead, or first, flight attendants, sometimes known as pursers, oversee the work of the other attendants aboard the aircraft, while performing most of the same duties. Related news articles Comair to cut flight attendant wages - Oct 10, 2006 San Jose Mercury News,...regional airline industry. The average flight attendant salary is $29,950 and the average pay cut is $2,250. The flight attendants ... J.Lo Not Charged Following Altercation with Flight Attendant - Oct 11, 2006 The Conservative Voice,...by Jim Kouri - Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez allegedly had an altercation with a flight attendant in mid-air when she was told she could not have a double-shot ... Comair To Cut Flight Attendant Salaries - Oct 9, 2006 WCPO,...a consensual agreement, the company is in the unfortunate position of having to implement court-authorized changes to the flight attendant agreement beginning ... Comair to cut flight attendant wages - Oct 9, 2006 The Benton Crier,...industry. The average flight attendant salary is $29,950 and the average pay cut is $2,250. "We knew it was coming," Slayback said. ... Delta's Comair will cut flight attendant pay - Oct 10, 2006 Miami Herald,Comair, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines (DALRQ.PK), said Monday it will impose wage cuts and changes in work rules for the regional airline's 970 flight ... Comair Slashing Flight Attendant's Pay - Oct 10, 2006 WSBtv.com,CINCINNATI -- Delta subsidiary Comair says it will impose wage cuts and changes in work rules for the regional airline's 970 flight attendants beginning ... Woman grabs buttocks of flight attendant - Oct 4, 2006 San Jose Mercury News,WASHINGTON - A woman was charged Wednesday with sexual assault after an altercation with a flight attendant on an airplane flying from Charlotte, NC, to London ... Woman Sexually Assaults Flight Attendant - Oct 5, 2006 ShortNews.com,A woman is being charged with sexual assault after an altercation with a male flight attendant on Wednesday. The airplane, US Airways ... Flight-attendant's one-woman show's got wings - Oct 4, 2006 Newsday,BY STEVE PARKS. Judging from her gleaming smile, worthy of a toothpaste commercial, it's the passengers who are in a bad mood, not flight attendant Rene Foss. ... NWA, flight attendant contract update sought - Sep 22, 2006 Detroit Free Press,A judge blocked a walkout last week. "When management unilaterally cut flight attendant pay, benefits and work rules, they mocked the integrity of the NMB's ... Flight attendant fined over duty scam - Sep 20, 2006 The Australian,A VIETNAM Airlines flight attendant has been fined almost $10,000 after buying duty free cigarettes in Melbourne and selling them on the domestic market. ... Flight-attendant strike at Northwest blocked - Sep 16, 2006 Seattle Times,By Liz Fedor. MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge in New York on Friday granted Northwest Airlines' request for an injunction to prohibit ... Judge Nixes Northwest Flight Attendant Strike - Sep 15, 2006 ForbesUS District Judge Victor Marrero gave Northwest Airlines management what it wanted: An injunction barring the carrier's flight attendants from striking. ... Northwest Airlines gets preliminary injunction to stop flight ... - Sep 15, 2006 ForbesEAGAN, Minn (AFX) - Northwest Airlines Corp was granted a preliminary injunction to prevent a threatened strike or work action by its flight attendants. ... Flight attendant sues Osteen's wife over incident last year - Sep 29, 2006 KRIS-TV,HOUSTON -- A Continental Airline flight attendant filed a lawsuit this week saying she was assaulted on a flight by the wife of nationally known pastor and ... Man Hits Flight Attendant After Being Told 'No More Chicken' - Sep 26, 2006 Aero-News Network,A Maryland man was arrested Sunday at Kennedy Airport, after allegedly hitting a flight attendant after she told him there were no more chicken dinners ... Flight Attendant to Gay Couple: Stop the Touching and Kissing or ... - Sep 26, 2006 World Hum,The New Yorker’s Lauren Collins has the sad tale of a couple who was singled out by a flight attendant for kissing— “not kiss kiss, just mwah, said ... Vietnam Airlines flight attendant fined over duty scam - Sep 22, 2006 Thanh Nien Daily,An Australian court has fined a Vietnam Airlines flight attendant almost US$7,600 for buying duty free cigarettes in Melbourne and selling them on the ... Flight Attendant Ratio Remains - Sep 23, 2006 580 CFRA Radio,The federal government has grounded a plan to cut the number of attendants per flight. Experts say pressure from Air Canada's flight ... OAKLAND FLIGHT ATTENDANT SUES SOUTHWEST AIRLINES - Sep 27, 2006 CBS 5,An Oakland-based flight attendant employed by Southwest Airlines has filed a lawsuit against the discount carrier alleging sexual harassment and verbal and ... More information on Flight attendants from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Flight attendants occupation Number of Flight attendants in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Flight attendants Working conditions for Flight attendants Significant points for Flight attendants Training requirements for Flight attendants Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |