We are flight attendants and this is what happened behind the scenes at our training
What do inflatable slides, fire extinguishers and heavy doors have in common?
They are all hallmarks of the flight attendant training school, as highlighted by a fleet of TikTokers.
Cabin crew from around the world have shared behind-the-scenes clips of their grueling training camps, with some aviation courses lasting as long as six weeks.
Toronto’s Kirsten Carriere took to social media to share one of the most difficult parts of her session, which was closing the very heavy cabin door.
In her video – which has been viewed over 7.5 million times – she can use all her body weight to pull the door shut. But her efforts have little impact.
Toronto’s Kirsten Carriere took to social media to share one of the hardest parts of her session, which was closing the very heavy cabin door
Her video, which has been viewed more than 7.5 million times, shows her using all her body weight to pull the door shut. But her efforts have little impact
In another clip, a montage captures some of the other tasks she had to perform, including whizzing down an inflatable emergency slide
In an effort to address any concerns viewers may have, she emphasizes in an accompanying caption that this is “not something I struggle with anymore if you’re wondering.”
The now-licensed Sunwing Airlines flight attendant goes on to explain in the comments section that the ‘flush lock was on… this was our first time trying the doors and we weren’t told anything about it, hence the struggle!
“Anyway, these doors are not easy to open, especially for the first time. They are heavy and there is a technique. You have to learn!’
In another clip, a montage records some of the other tasks she had to perform, including giving a safety briefing, whizzing down an emergency inflatable slide, and operating a fire extinguisher.
Many viewers asked her if flight attendant training was tough, to which she replied, “It was!” It was hard but it was doable.
“You get out what you put in and you really have to go for it to get it all. But worth it!’
Like Kirsten, TikToker @gracebaeb said closing the main cabin door was the hardest part of her training with American Airlines.
She also shared a video of her struggling to pull it forward and into place.
In a caption, Grace revealed that she finally managed to complete the task about five minutes later.
Many viewers asked her if flight attendant training was tough, to which she replied, “It was!” It was hard, but it was manageable’
Like Kirsten, TikToker @grracebaeb said closing the main cabin door was the hardest part of her training at American Airlines
TikToker @millatheangel , who also trained as a flight attendant for American Airlines, shared a video montage showing what her training entailed
Some of the more intense moments shown in her clip see her with fellow interns in a life raft during a pool exercise
Later in the clip, Milla can be seen putting out a fire armed with a fire extinguisher and wearing a protective headgear
Many fellow flight attendants sympathized with her struggle.
One commenter wrote: ‘I’ve also struggled a lot with that door on the B737, but we’ll get through it. You got this!’
Another added, “They’re actually so much harder than they look!” The first time I opened one I was shocked!’
TikToker @millathengelwho also trained as a flight attendant for American Airlines, shared a video montage showing what her training entailed.
She revealed in an overlay that the training lasted a total of six weeks.
Some of the more intense moments shown in her clip see her with fellow interns in a life raft during a pool exercise and later putting out a fire armed with a fire extinguisher and wearing a protective piece of headgear.
Milla captioned her video – which has been viewed more than 620,000 times – ‘best decision of my life!’ in an effort to encourage others to chase their “wings.”
Milla’s training as a flight attendant lasted a total of six weeks
For the daily workout, @Nicks.Travels explains that ‘it’s like class, like we’re going back to school and I have to have a binder and a notebook and a bunch of new pens and stuff’
Provide further insight into what cabin crew training entails, @Nicks.Travels reveals what he had to pack for his four-week course at an unnamed Florida airline.
He tells viewers, “We have to be in business casual attire… we can wear some kind of khaki chinos and black or khaki colors for our pants, no jeans… and then for our shirts we can wear anything that is like a full button-down in black or white or polos with two buttons.
“Because I train in Florida, I usually wear short sleeves.”
As for shoes, he invested in a pair of comfortable, plain black dress shoes.
Then Nick explains before the daily practice that “it’s like class, like we’re going back to school and I have to have a binder and a notebook and a bunch of new pens and stuff.”
In a follow-up video, he explains that the flight attendant program involves a rigorous testing process that many people are unaware of.
He says, “It’s so stressful, but so rewarding at the same time.”
The avid traveler is still waiting for his results and will update his followers on TikTok in due course.