During this period, the airlines provide assigned hotel accommodations and an allowance for meal expenses. The combination of free time and discount air fares provides flight attendants the opportunity to travel and see new places. However, the work can be strenuous and trying. Short flights require speedy service if meals are served and a turbulent flight can make serving drinks and meals difficult. Flight attendants stand during much of the flight and must remain pleasant and efficient regardless of how tired they are or how demanding passengers may be.
Flight attendants are susceptible to injuries because of the job demands in a moving aircraft.
Back injuries and mishaps opening overhead compartments are common. Employment Flight attendants held about 132,000 jobs in 1996. Commercial airlines employed the vast majority of all flight attendants, most of whom live in major cities at the airlines' home bases. A small number of flight attendants worked for large companies that operated company aircraft for business purposes. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Airlines prefer to hire poised, tactful, and resourceful people who can interact comfortably with strangers and remain calm under duress.