3.1 Aviation Regulation
The regulatory body for the aviation industry within the UK is the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA for short. The CAA is a public corporation that is part of the Department for Transport. (DFT) Outside of the UK, where legislation falls within the EU boundaries, the CAA are the local body of regulation, acting in conjunction of the European Aviation Safety Agency.EASA.
Within the UK, it's also the CAA which oversees the ATOL scheme, which all travel companies have to offer, protecting consumers from being stranded abroad, as well as providing consumer confidence that their money is protected in the event of a travel company ceasing to operate. One of the greatest examples of ATOL offering this support stems back to 2009, when the British company XL went into administration. In the midst of the global economic crisis, XL failed to stay afloat. As such, thousands of customers were left stranded abroad. As a cabin crew member, you too may find yourself becoming stranded, although the company's public liability insurance will help you get home.
However, while wearing uniform, cabin crew members continue to represent the company they work for. As such, you may find yourself facing a deluge of questions from members of the public. While it may be tempting not to help when faced with such tasks in the event of losing your job, doing so can stand you in good stead for a future position with another airline.
Under European Regulations - OPS 1, cabin crew must hold a Cabin Crew Attestation, (CCA) in order to work within a European Member State. There are only two independent companies, as of February 2014 which are CAA approved to provide CCA training.
Those are:
1.TAG Aviation Academy (TagAviation.com,) based at Farnborough Airport in Hampshire
2.Active Plane Training and Consultancy LTD, (ActivePlaneTraining.com), based at Basepoint Business Centre, Metcalf Way, in Crawley, West Sussex
For airlines flying into European destinations, it will usually be the airline to put cabin crew members through Attestation in accordance with EU regulations.
3.2: How Regulations Apply to You
It is hard to cover how a cabin crew member manages airline regulations in absolute detail. However, it is possible to illustrate the way regulations influence a cabin crew member's role, and how this has changed over the years. Consider flying before 9/11; passengers were not restricted in terms of the liquids they could carry on board. Today, they are. Cabin crew members may spend time detecting liquids that somehow made it past the initial security staff on the ground. Regulations also govern whether passengers can fly while intoxicated. It isn't unusual for passengers to have a drink while on the ground, many are nervous after all.
However, if someone steps on the flight blind drunk and cause a hazard while in the air that compromises others, yet cabin crew members did nothing to stop them, there may be professional trouble ahead. Regulations, surprisingly, are not hard and fast rules. Instead, they are suggestions that airlines must adhere to in some manner. This is much the same as the way the EU regulates Britain. The EU suggested that people could not smoke in public workplaces, so Britain extended this to all station platforms. Yet, you may go to other areas of the continent, and the story is different. Similarly, airlines will implement the regulations in a basic manner, but will decide the intricate aspects for themselves.
This means that regulations may change, which cabin crew members need to be aware of. They may change because of regulatory authorities, because of the EU, or because the airline has adapted its approach. Always be prepared to adapt your training accordingly, should changes arise. Anybody who sees themselves working as a cabin crew member on a long-term basis will face changes at some point or another.
Module Summary
Like any industry, the aviation field is regulated. Regulation ensures that minimum standards are met in terms of fair fare setting, safety, and customer service. All cabin crew members learn the basics of these regulations. After all, if the staff in the air do not know what the basic requirements are, airlines are hardly likely to meet them. Most of the aviation regulation training takes part during inductions. Although it may seem boring, cabin crew members do not have to delve into the technically challenging aspects. All the information cabin crew members receive pertain to their jobs only, making the training highly relevant and beneficial.
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