The Airline Industry
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Already in the 16th century Leonardo da Vinci constructed different types of flying machines. "Ornithoptern" - the base for what is today the modern helicopter - is perhaps one of Leonardos most creative flying constructions.
It would last until the 17th december 1903, when the Wright brothers accomplished the first controlled flight outside Kitty Hawk in North Carolina, that the human being actually began do control the art of flying. The aircraft they used, had the appropriate name "Flyer I". It was only three years later, in 1909, that the first crossing of the English channel took place. This was also the same year as the first flight ever was done in Sweden.
It would last all until the 15th of May 1930 until the first, official air hostess was employed. It was on the flight Oakland - Wyoming that Ellen Churh served onboard for the first time. The airline that dared to employ air hostesses was Boeing Air Transport, BAT, the precursor to United Airlines. To begin with, the management at were hesitant, but Ellen managed to convince them and soon thereafter seven more ladies were employed.
The demands were a little different in those days...
The hostesses must not be over 25 years of age, unmarried, weigh at most 50 kilos and not be taller than 165 cms. The salary was 125 dollar. In the air, they took care of the service and care of the passengers, but they were also in charge of the baggage and fuelling!
The Air Hostess has since then become the symbol for adventure and glamour, even if the last decade in present time has made the glamour fade and the profession is now adays described as one of many others within the service sector.
To remember though is that the possibility for adventure still remains. The whole world is open for the one being interested. Our world is shrinking, the sky is nolonger the limit and many are the airlines recruiting new personnel.
The sector that is growing fastest within the airline industry is the Low Cost Carriers. Many of them are today among the highest valued airlines and they are expanding fast! When expanding, they also need new Cabin Crew.
The glamour for the Cabin Crew of today may have faded a little but the possibility to get an exciting job with lots of travel in an exciting line of business remains! Welcome!
