What do the working days of flight attendants look like

Today, July 12, is the World Day of the Civil Aviation Flight attendant, which is celebrated by representatives of one of the most romantic specialties in the world, better known to us as stewards and flight attendants. 

Photographer Brian Finke spent two years traveling the world and documenting the life of flight attendants. He studied the everyday life of flight attendants of Delta, JetBlue, Hawaiian, Hooters Air, Southwest airlines. Then I switched to foreign ones-Air France, Qantas and British Airways. In London, the photographer visited a school where they study the future profession. Then Brian went to the east — Air Asia, Thai, Tiger, ANA, Japan and Cathay Pacific — and completed the trip with Icelandair Airlines. The result of his work was a book called "Flight Attendants".

Brian's co-author on the book, Alix Brown, believes that Finke's style of photography is neither nostalgic and romantic, nor too realistic. The women in the pictures appear at the moment of performing movements and actions developed to automatism — they demonstrate safety rules, smile and wave, as if in an advertisement. 

And if sometimes a slightly surreal image flashes, it is probably because no matter how familiar we have become to travel by plane, flying and everything connected with it will always cause awe. 

In the photo: flight attendant Roshayati.

Becoming a flight attendant is quite simple. To get into training, it is enough to pass an interview and a medical examination. A month-long theoretical course, 30 hours of flights as an intern — and that's it. Few people do not pass an internship: it is unprofitable for the company to dismiss such employees because of the cost of training and uniforms.

For flight attendants, knowledge of English and certain external parameters are important. But the idea that a flight attendant should be a model is a myth. Only height and weight are taken into account.

In the photo: Roshayati, AirAsia airline.

Height — so that you can get luggage for short passengers. And the weight — so as not to overload the plane.

In the photo: flight attendants of Air France airlines.

Most of them come to the profession for the sake of money and the opportunity to visit abroad. There are almost no romantics now. They are often arranged by acquaintance, but this does not give any privileges.

In the photo: the plane of the airline Hooters Air.

During the training, flight attendants are taught a lot-from the design of the aircraft to the delivery of childbirth. There is a special hall where situations are simulated and trained. You must be able to swim.

Pictured: Sarah, Hooters Air.

They teach how to deal with inadequate passengers. For example, if a person is violent, flight attendants should first ask him to calm down. Then-to give a written warning. And if this does not work, they can tie a seal — this is such a rail on the cart, outwardly unlike a means of protection. How to beat — they also teach: with the edge of the palm on the chin.

In the photo: Ava, a flight attendant for Cathay Pacific Airlines.

Hair, nails — everything should be in order. Before the flight, at the briefing, the flight attendants are always examined: the suit should be clean, the makeup should be appropriate. Sometimes they are removed from the flight. So, one flight attendant at the briefing took off her coat — and only then noticed that she forgot to put on a skirt.

Pictured: Christie, Southwest Airlines.

There were always more flight attendants than stewards. But sometimes girls are not taken on the flight. For example, if they are carrying deportees. Or the whole plane is occupied by a football team.

In the photo: flight attendants of the Singapore airline Tigerair.

Training of Azriza, Lily and Stella, AirAsia Airline.

Unnur is undergoing training, the Icelandic airline Icelandair.

Kate, TigerAir Airlines.

Gupran, Icelandair.

Vivian, Cathay Pacific.

Venya and Kate.

Yusoko, the Japanese airline All Nippon Airways.

Linda, Cathay Pacific.

Inside the plane of the American airline Delta Airlines.

Lily and Azriza.