The trainers then call a list of names

Iâd finally learn how to tease my hair in to an ideal small bun, learn how to glide down the aisle like it was a runway and come away with a picture of myself in a cute uniform, complete with of those pert hats.

In lieu, when I arrive at Asianatown, the home base of Asiana Airlines near Gimpo International Airport, I walk in to a full class of timid but deadly serious flight attendant wannabes.

 of a handful of training classes run by Asiana for flight attendant hopefuls all year long, this particular workshop -- called Cabin Crew Challenging Work -- is the first to be opened to Asiana Club members for a fee of ten,000 Asiana miles.

Apart from a few private and unaffiliated institutions (hagwon), Asiana is the only airline in the world that provides such training, according to the airline representatives.


Everyone eyes the cart nervously.

This cart weighs at least 100 kilos, says trainer Jung Bo-kyung.One of my colleagues was badly hurt last week when her plane hit turbulence & the cart fell on her. Although a powerful male flight attendant rushed over & tried to lift it up, it was heavy to get it off right away. Sheâs still out of action.


If a kid is sleeping with their head protruding in the aisle, imagine what would happen in the event you hit it with the cart in the work of turbulence, says Jung, to gasps of horror from all of us. They then shows how to lock & open the various compartment & how not to offend passengers while pouring (use a new can for each passenger, lower your hands while pouring fizzy drinks to keep away from spraying). 

The trainers then call a list of names, & the trainees start role-playing in groups of. But first, everyone has to don bright red aprons.Even if the customer insists it’s OK & tries to give you the needle, & even if youâve had lots of experience at home, it’s seldom OK to make a medical decision & assist in a procedure like that unless you have a medical degree,says Tak, shuddering at the thought.


Another giant no-no is medical assistance. Lots of Koreans think that indigestion can be cured on the spot by pricking fingers with a needle until the blood comes, & often ask the flight attendants to administer this treatment in-flight.