I will be adding a bunch of fresh articles to the site over the next several months, many of which will have to do with food service. Paula Kraft, and some other caterers, will be contributing their wisdom in the form of dispensing helpful food service advice from time to time.
The first two articles with the short names “Dessert Sauces” and “Savory Sauces” are now online. Eat heartily!
Doc Sullivan routinely shares information on just how you can get make your whole flying experience better, healthwise. In a timely thread titled, Spring Allergies, Doc passes on to the community a list of cities and their springtime allergy levels.
Where does your metropolitan area rank? Do you know what to take to help alleviate symptoms? Read Doc’s Stress and Health forum for answers to these and other life impacting questions.
Over the past several days I have been reading on our message boards conversations about food safety training, the various programs available, and the costs involved with taking certain classes. I talked with Jean Dible yesterday to find out more about her particular class and emailed our community members the information she shared with me about upcoming training she is planning on for Denver.
When it comes to food training, you do have some options. Besides Jean’s class, Erica Sheward teaches a two day class. In addition, ServSafe has a program that also offers certification. For the record, Jean’s class is built upon the ServSafe model, but goes one step further by incorporating specific corporate aviation food handling and safety requirements.
Whichever program you select, you probably want to get some sort of certification with it. Many states now require that at least one person in a restaurant have certification, but there are no requirements on a business jet for you to be certified.
Compare programs, don’t be intimidated by scare tactics, and find what works best for you. As with any training related with business flying, ultimately what you do with it matters a lot. Please let us know what you like/dislike by sharing on our forums your thoughts.
Conversations on our message boards often stimulate me to take a little deeper look into what is going on in and around the industry. Recently, a discussion ensued regarding food safety and I chimed in with some information that I hope is helpful to the community.
Specifically, I mentioned that at least two national organizations are offering food safety certification for people handling food, which would include you, the corporate flight attendant. Please go to the thread for more information.
I am also trying to get more information from independent sources to confirm the viability of these courses and the resultant certification. I know that Erica Sheward teaches her course in the US at least twice per year, but I also know that her price is well beyond the reach of most people. So, perhaps, these courses and certification will fill the bill for you.
By the way, food safety certification is not a requirement for most corporate flight attendants nor is it an FAA requirement.
…or necessary!
From time to time I am asked by members of the community whether they should take XYZ’s training course or ABC’s training course. Mostly everyone is aware that I don’t fly and I don’t go around calling myself a corporate flight attendant. However, many people know that I have taken two training programs over the past 6 years and that I have been involved in business aviation for almost 15 years [as a technical writer, responsible for co-authoring a corporate flight attendant manual, etc.]
My position regarding any training since founding this community nearly four years ago is this: I do not make recommendations.
Training is very expensive and there aren’t too many people out there who can afford to take one, two, or three programs. Most people are hard pressed to scrape up the $2500, $3000, or more it takes for just one program. Sure, you can always “charge it” but that means you could be paying off your loan for a long time. Without a guarantee of a job either!
Unlike commercial flying, which is a lot more uniform, the rules for corporate aviation are hazy at best. In most cases training is NOT a requirement according to the FARs. Simply put, flight attendants are not required on aircraft with 19 passenger seats or less, which is the overwhelming majority of business aircraft. Some people will tell you that an exception exists for Gulfstream’s G550, but that person need not be a flight attendant — simply an evacuation crewmember! In addition, some will say to me — what about Part 135? Well, in my opinion you can let the charter operator pay for that. Chances are, if they are a very large operator, they have an in-house program that combines training at FlightSafety [for example] with their own training. Unless you have money to burn, let someone else foot the bill.
For the record, I support that anyone working as a flight attendant onboard a business jet have training that is the equivalent of training acceptable within corporate aviation. For Part 135, you need to know about certain cabin procedures and emergency/evacuation methods, while some sort of medical training [AED, CPR] and culinary training are bonuses, but not required. Any training that teaches you how to interview, write a resume, or dress for success is gravy. Chances are you already know how to do this!
If you still want to enter corporate aviation, good for you! I mean that. Keep your eyes open, ask a lot of questions, read the forums, and get empowered through the articles on this site.
Many people will promise you something more than they can deliver. Unless you have a guaranteed position lined up, your training could be all be for naught.
I almost forgot to mention it, but the NBAA Flight Attendant Conference is fast approaching. It will be held in Denver from June 23-24 at the Renaissance Hotel.
One of our members started a thread about this year’s conference and it looks like it will be another good one. Members and contractors get a discount and you can save on room costs by signing up through the NBAA’s site. Feel free to start a thread to see if you can find a roomie, if desired. Yes, pm’ing is a great way to touch base with others on the forums as well.
From time to time I am asked by people how best to use this site for finding work. Short of getting reliable information from off of the message boards, the site is peppered with enough “hints” to help you get started.
I have compiled several lists that have helped many of our members. The most frequently visited and most updated list is the one for Private Jet Charter Operators. A similar list features Fractional Jet Providers only.
Go to the Articles section and look at different categories for Getting Started, Getting Interviewed, and Getting Hired. In addition, Just For Newbies and Career Coach have some good information too.
Much of the job information isn’t readily listed for several reasons. Chief being that most operators are “close to the vest” about aircraft ownership. Get a name and a number and then contact that person. Ask for a meeting to uncover their needs and to present yourself to them in person.
It takes time, a lot of leg work on your part, and lots of persistence. Those who are very focused will succeed, while the rest will simply just give up.
What type of person are you?
Three people immediately stepped forward to have their qualifications featured on this site and two of them already have seen their copies uploaded to the internet.
Jennie Paul Gardner who resides in CT and Felicia Borsari who lives in the L.A. area are our two newest candidates. Both ladies are motivated and are willing to relocate. If you have some leads for one or both, I am sure that they will be more than glad to hear from you.
