So you want to be a flight attendant? Exotic destinations; free airline travel; all the vacuum-sealed, protein-rich peanuts you can eat. Of course you want to be a flight attendant! Who wouldn't? Tapping into the collective venting ground of the internet, I came across such people. And they're mostly former flight attendants. Beyond the glitter and gloss it seems there is a less lustrous underbelly.

But let's not get carried away now. The objective of this article is not to disparage or belittle the cabin crew lifestyle. Rather it is to provide adequate perspective on an industry that thrives on image and perception. The benefits of being a flight attendant are worthy of more than a little awe. You do get to travel and see the rest of the world on a regular basis. As you gain seniority, your schedule becomes more flexible allowing roughly 13-17 days off every month which translates to 6 months off per year! And to keep you occupied during all that free time, most airlines will arm you with a lucrative benefits package, often including discounted fares for yourself and immediate family, health and life insurance and maybe even a sensible retirement plan so you can continue to travel after your tenure with the airlines. It is a big world after all. Frequent access to peanuts and Paris aside, the glamour of being a flight attendant is slowly fading. Or rather it is being drowned in a vast sea of obnoxious passengers, sleep deprivation and conceding that your home is distinguished by the reinforced plastic hospitality of a Samsonite.

It is a fraternity built on resolute independence (marriage is discouraged), infinite hospitality (dropkicking rude passengers in the face is discouraged) and the ability to negotiate 30 cubic feet of carry-on luggage into 10 cubic feet of overhead bin. That is, however, if you're fortunate enough to even become a flight attendant. Many institutions offer flight attendant courses and training. They thrive off the glamour and allure associated with the airline lifestyle. They charge exorbitant fees and guarantee placement, attracting countless hopefuls. The primary job of a flight attendant, let's not forget, is to ensure the safety and security of the travelling public. It is a testament to the safety of airline travel that flight attendants have become associated with beverages and blankets. Major airlines are required by law to train and adequately prepare flight attendants for any plausible event during flight. Most reputed airlines conduct their own training programmes after selection. Private institutions which train students in safety protocols on a particular aircraft may in fact be posing a disservice to the candidate if the aircraft does not comply with those of potential employers.

There are of course successful candidates. Many institutions can and do boast of their successes. The pitch of fifty triumphant candidates in every batch does sound enticing. But what about 4950 candidates that weren't so triumphant? Their stories aren't as encouraging for the institutions that speak of placement certainty. Sadly, the hype generally prevails and scores of aspirants continue to seek out and bolster the bank accounts of institutions proclaiming loudest of their guarantees.

For those who are successful, however, the glamour of cabin crew will occasionally succumb to the grind. Airlines operate around the clock, throughout the year and flight attendants will inevitably have to work nights, weekends and holidays. They must be flexible and have vast stores of patience and stamina. Almost all flight attendants begin their careers working on reserve status where they are called to duty as needed. The benefit of discount airfares is in a constant grapple with a consuming schedule.

If you do end up joining the ranks of cabin crew, you're lucky. If you don't, maybe you're luckier. Why limit your charisma, poise and strong work ethic to a stuffy fuselage? The airline and travel industry offers a multitude of career opportunities. Beyond the cabin doors, there are armies of people assisting you in your journey. The travel and tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace which no other industry is able to match. The World Travel and Tourism Council has proposed that from now until 2018 the total revenue of the tourism industry will increase to US $15 trillion (that's 12 zeroes!), creating about 300 million jobs globally. Furthermore, 10.5% of the global GDP will be from the tourism sector with India undoubtedly being one of the fastest growing markets.

Currently there are about 150 airports in India. France, on the other hand, which is about the size of Maharashtra, has 475 airports. Take a moment now and imagine the potential of expansion that India and the rest of the world have to offer. Still in the mood for peanuts?

"So what can I do instead?", you may be asking yourself. Well, I'll tell you what you can do instead.
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