Cabin crew training is quite intensive, learning about safety equipment, emergency procedures, and aircraft-specific information. Advanced first aid, fire training, security, and dangerous goods are also covered. Some private jet crew do not receive full cabin crew training, but what extra skills are cabin crew working on private jets recommended acquiring?
1 Ditching
Preparing for a landing on water is no mean feat for any cabin crew and is an essential part of cabin crew training for all crew. Practicing a scenario in a life raft in a cold swimming pool that simulates the Atlantic Sea is not for the fainthearted. Survival techniques in the water and on the ground are also a necessity.
2 Fire training
Again, a cabin crew essential whether you are working for an airline or private jet, you need to know how to put out a fire. After all, no one is there to help at 35,000 feet. Cabin crew practice putting out real fires in simulations and look for survivors in a smoke-filled cabin.
3 Sommelier skills
Some cabin crew take qualifications in wines and spirits to understand things like wine regions, how to serve wine correctly, and how to pair wines with dishes.
Making cocktails and mixing spirits can also be part of the agenda. The Wine and Spirit Education Trust in the UK is a well-recommended institution for learning more.
4 Flower arranging
Floral arrangements are very much part of cabin presentation on private jets. It is essential to choose the correct size of arrangement and the correct colors, as some can be offensive to certain cultures. Learning the proper techniques to arrange and look after flowers can never go amiss.
5 Food hygiene
Food safety is paramount as cabin crew on private jets have to order, cook and serve meals. and sometimes transport them. Therefore, they have to know how to keep food at a safe temperature in addition to understanding how to prepare and cook the items correctly. Of course, no cabin crew wants a food poisoning issue on their flight.
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6 Nanny
Some airlines and private jet companies have their cabin crew trained as nannies also, to be able to specialize in looking after any children and babies onboard. The high-profile Norland Institute is a popular choice for training and is royally approved.
7 Butler
Etiquette is crucial on private jets, so some cabin crew train as butlers too. They know how to exceed passenger expectations and when to be invisible in the aircraft. Discretion is everything. The British Butler Institute is often chosen for learning such skills.
8 Pet care
Some private jet operators have tailored programs for their guests, including things like wine tasting, pet care, and childcare.
With this in mind, some cabin crew are trained in monitoring animal behavior and pet CPR to look after any furry friends onboard.
9 Plating food
Fine dining and service are vital in the private jet industry, so most crew will attend a specialized course on how to plate and present food to a five-star standard. These are sometimes offered privately, or VIP airline catering companies often provide courses. Cabin crew may also be trained in silver service skills or have already been trained in first-class service through the airlines.
10 Crew Resource Management
Another critical subject for all cabin crew is knowing how and why accidents happen and how important it is to understand the human factors, known as CRM. Communication between the flight deck and cabin crew is vital to a safe and efficient operation.