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First of all, it's not a career that I would recommend to just anyone. The precarious economic situation is not a plus; second, training takes time and is often unpaid; third, starting salaries are very low (as in, 18-20K a year to start).
The interview process alone is a major obstacle. A lot of the airlines nowadays conduct prescreenings over the phone, but some still do cattle calls. All airlines want someone who is mature and has had at least 2 years of customer service. All airlines require at least a high school diploma or GED.
Some airlines will give preference to those who are fluent (fluency is tested) in a second language. There are height requirements but weight requirements have been scrapped (as long as you are height/weight proportionate).
You only need to be able to squeeze in the aisles, handle the weight of the beverage cart and the emergency door and you need to be able to reach the overhead compartments (they test for this if you are selected for training).
Here is an outline of the hiring process for major airlines (I've interviewed and I was selected for training by AA, NWA and JetBlue. I am currently awaiting to hear from Continental). JetBlue does things differently.
1. Apply;
2. Go to interview or cattle call;
3. Answer a lot of questions about customer service (these are situational questions about the best experience, what did you do in time pressure situation, etc.);
4. Read a public announcement (this is so they can hear if you can read and speak clearly);
5. Be prepared to leave a detailed 10-year history (for FAA screening).
If selected, you get to take a drug test and/or physical. You then have to wait to pass the background check before you will know what training class you will be in.
Training will be about 4-6 weeks (most airlines do not pay you for training, but provide lodging). I didn't take AA, NWA or JB due to family matters. In any event, my first year salary would have been in the low 20's (if that much). However, I am older and financially more stable than when I was in my 20s.
This is not the kind of job I'd do if I just got out of high school. It does take maturity to deal with the public and the customer service experience is really necessary. In addition, college is certainly an asset.
Work hours are long; expect to miss family holidays, birthdays, graduations, weddings, etc. Expect to deal with irate passengers, crying children, turbulence, changes in itinerary and, for the first few years, reserve status (meaning you are on call 24/7 with a few days off here and there). Your number 1 job is to ensure the safety of all passengers.
The best airline for your nephew may not be the best airline for someone else. If he does not want to be away from home too often, he may want to try a smaller (regional) airline. If long years in reserve status and long periods away from home are not a problem, then the major airlines will be ok. I suggest that your nephew study what it takes to be a flight attendant and if this is the career he wants. He also needs to remember that it is a very volatile career; one day he may be flying and the next day he may be furloughed. The airline industry is a difficult one. Check out www.flightattendants.org for more.
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