"Flight Attendant School"

[Gorilla]

Has anyone been watching "Flight Attendant School" on the Travel channel?

For those who haven't seen it, it follows a class of new hires in Denver going through their six week course. The facility looks world class, and the level of instruction very high. But what completely blew me away was how brutal the staff is when dealing with the slightest issue.

For example, in the first episode, a nice gal was canned for showing up 4 minutes late after a break because she was locked outside the building by accident. In another, they came VERY close to firing another who closed her eyes for 1 minute in class. They also seem to have some weird programs, like the KDEN "treasure hunt", sending the FA's at a sprint all through the huge airport to learn the layout, because "some passenger may ask them where to get a sub sandwich." One guy nearly had a heart attack.

Apparently, the attrition rate is 33%. Are Frontier FA's paid so well that these insults to their dignity, and the draconian rules, can be put aside? I don't mean to insult anyone, but this seems so typical of the industry. "We are going to abuse you, and cut your pay, because this job is glamorous and exciting and we know we can get away with it. You have no dignity, and your worth to us is peanuts. Fail 2 tests among 30, and you're fired. Sleep 30 seconds, you're fired. 1 minute late, you're fired." etc.

How does Frontier FA pay compare to others?

 

[81Horse]

I've seen the show a couple of times.

It looks like the training program and disciplinary style were created by old, grouchy flight attendants to validate their own egos. ("Flight attendants must be really important -- look how hard it is to get through training!")

A 33% failure rate for a training program does not indicate excellence -- it indicates failure (of the program and/or of applicant screening). Could you even imagine a new-hire pilot program with that kind of failure rate?

On the plus side, it looks like Frontier's F/A training program would weed out any applicant who actually had a spine.

 

[lowlycfi]

It's sort of like watching "The Real World" with stewardesses.

 

[WaterSkiette]

I'm wondering if some of the "stunts" they do on the show were done specifically for the sake of the camers???? That treasure hunt crap looks totally silly and I can't imagine every new hire having to do that! Anyone know for sure?

Also I've missed the last episode or two... but don't they have a few of the trainees living together?

 

[lifeguard]

I'm wondering if some of the "stunts" they do on the show were done specifically for the sake of the camers???? That treasure hunt crap looks totally silly and I can't imagine every new hire having to do that! Anyone know for sure?

Also I've missed the last episode or two... but don't they have a few of the trainees living together?

I do know a trainee from that class..very well actually.... and you are RIGHT ON.. A LOT of that crap was made up for the sake of making a "good show" and this f/a even said they hired more people than normal for that class ..{attrition you know}