One of the most intriguing aspects of air travel is the jargon used by the cabin crew. As with any profession, there’s a unique language and series of acronyms associated with the world of aviation. Today, we’ll delve deep into this lingo, focusing particularly on terms like “CJO” and “attestation,” and unravel the world of cabin crew communication.

In the airline industry, CJO stands for “Conditional Job Offer.” It represents a preliminary stage in the hiring process where an airline offers a job to a candidate, but with certain conditions to be met before formal employment commences.

The Step-by-Step Journey of a CJO

The Interview

This stage is where potential candidates demonstrate their qualifications and suitability for the job. Airlines are known for their thorough interviews, with each applicant going through multiple rounds of interviews, often culminating in a panel interview involving senior cabin crew and HR personnel.

The Conditional Job Offer

Once a candidate clears the interview, the airline extends a CJO. The offer is typically verbal and is followed by a written one. The CJO will outline the conditions that must be fulfilled before a final job offer can be made.

Conditions

These usually include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A medical examination to ensure the candidate is physically fit for the demanding job of a cabin crew member;
• Background checks to ensure the candidate has no criminal record or other potential issues;
• Successful completion of cabin crew training, which includes both theory and practical components.

Final Job Offer

Once all the conditions have been successfully met, the CJO is converted into a formal job offer. At this point, the candidate is given a starting date, and their career in the skies officially commences.

Attestation – A Vital Airline Certification

Attestation, in aviation parlance, refers to a vital certification that cabin crew members must obtain. This certificate validates that they have successfully completed the required training, equipping them with the necessary skills to carry out their duties onboard.

The Attestation Process

1. Enrollment: The journey towards attestation begins with enrollment in a training program, typically provided by the airline itself or a certified aviation school.
2. Training: Cabin crew training is a rigorous program that can last several weeks to months, covering areas like safety procedures, first aid, customer service, emergency evacuation drills, and crew resource management.
3. Examination: After completion of the training, prospective cabin crew members must pass an examination, demonstrating their knowledge and practical skills. The exam usually comprises both written and practical assessments.
4. Attestation: Successfully passing the examination leads to attestation. The candidate is now a certified cabin crew member and is equipped to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers onboard.

An A-Z of Cabin Crew Jargon

The aviation world brims with acronyms and unique terminologies. Let’s take a more comprehensive look at the A-Z of common terms and phrases.

Term	Description
APD	Aircraft Proximity Detector, a system that alerts the crew if another aircraft is too close.
Bulkhead	The wall within an airplane separating various sections or classes.
Cabin Check	A visual inspection carried out by the crew for safety before takeoff and landing.
Deadhead	A crew member traveling as a passenger to be positioned for their next assignment.
ETOPS	Extended-range Twin-engine Operational Performance Standards, the standards allowing twin-engine aircraft to fly routes more than an hour from the nearest airport.
FAM	Short for familiarization, a trip or tour given to new crew members to acquaint them with aircraft layouts and airline operations.
Gatehouse	The location where crew members meet before a flight to review their flight plans.
Hotac	Hotel accommodation for the crew during layovers.
Jumpseat	The seat where the cabin crew sit during takeoff and landing.
KCM	Known Crew Member, a program that provides expedited security screening for flight crews.
Layover	The period spent in a city between flights.
MEL	Minimum Equipment List, a list defining what equipment must be operational for an aircraft to fly.
No-go item	An issue or malfunction that prevents an aircraft from flying.
Pax	Short for passengers.
Q Code	A standardized collection of three-letter codes all starting with “Q” used in aviation.
Rotation	The series of flights that make up a crew member’s work schedule.
Standby	A period where crew members must be available to be called into work with little notice.
Turnaround	The time from when an aircraft lands to when it takes off again with new passengers.
Upgrades	Refers to passengers moving to a higher service class.
V1	The speed beyond which takeoff should no longer be aborted.
W&B	Weight and Balance, critical calculations for the safe operation of the aircraft.
X-wind	Crosswind, wind blowing across the direction of travel of the aircraft.
Y-class	Economy class, referred to as “Y” in aviation.
Zulu Time	Also known as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), used as the standard time in aviation.

Conclusion

Understanding cabin crew speak is like learning a new language. But with each term decoded, we gain more insight into the complex world of aviation. It is this intricate mesh of acronyms, abbreviations, and jargon that enables efficient communication and smooth operation, ensuring that each time you fly, your journey is in safe and expert hands.

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