Monster: What made you want to be a Air Steward?
Laura: I have always enjoyed working with people and wanted to work in an environment that is customer focused, but did not want to stay in one area for my entire career. As a Steward within the RAF I am able to meet and help people everyday and every few years I get to change location which always presents new challenges!

What skills and education are essential to your job?
You will need Maths and English Language GCSE grades G or above. You will be trained in Silver Service and gain a NVQ Level 2 in Hospitality and Catering the end of your basic training. Through subsequent training you may be able to gain a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship in Hospitality and Basic Food Hygiene certificates.

As a Steward you may find yourself working in dining rooms, bars and reception areas as well as looking after accommodation and bar and cellar management. You will organise the catering for the crew and passengers – who could be troops, families or VIP personnel – and be responsible for in-flight safety procedures. On aero medical flights, you will work with medics to ensure the safe transportation of ill or injured personnel.

What advice can you offer someone wanting to become a Air Steward? 
The best place to start is to go to your nearest RAF careers office and speak to an advisor there. You can apply to be a Steward when you reach 15 years and 9 months of age and the quicker you join,the quicker you will learnthe skills to build a successful career.

What are the best and worst things about your role?
We are not nine-to-fivers; we take on whatever tasks are required of us to get the job done. The Royal Air Force is not for people who want a quiet life, but if you are looking for challenge, adventure, excitement and the opportunity to broaden your horizons then this could be the career for you.

Most of your tours will be on RAF bases in the UK, but there are also opportunities to work abroad; these can range from short detachments to three-year postings. Within your first few years, you’ll probably be detached overseas to carry out your role in support of the RAF’s expeditionary role.

Are there any perks to the job?
As a member of the Royal Air Force you’ll have access to all gym facilities at all military bases, some having swimming pools. I’m a qualified diver and have enjoyed diving with RAF sub-aqua clubs at various locations around the UK and overseas.

I'm keen on adventure training and have travelled to the Cyprus, Egypt, Kenya, Ascension Island and Turkey to take part in adventurous training, I also enjoying mountain biking, hill walking, rock climbing and abseiling all in Wales under the close eye of RAF Adventurous Training Instructors.

What is the end goal in your career? 
I hope to have a full career in the RAF and with the experience I hope to use my knowledge and experience from the RAF to gain employment in the Catering and Hospitality industry.

Finish this sentence. "This week I have been mostly..."
“…helping to organise a VIP social function for senior personnel and their guests."


Fancy following in Laura's footsteps? Check out our latest Air Steward jobs or see the latest jobs from the Royal Air Force.