Laila Bennett flies high with dream job

Laila Bennett's desire to become a flight attendant was inspired by seeing her aunt, Christine Steel, who was a purser with now defunct Air Jamaica.

"I used to spend summers with my aunt and I used to see her transform into, I call it a goddess, in her uniform, make-up and handbag going to work. I was in total awe of her," Bennett exclaimed.

Bennett, standing at 5' 11", left her Knowles Road, Manchester, residence in 1996 to pursue her dream. But her father, long-serving Manchester Southern member of parliament Michael Peart, did not agree. He urged her to enrol at university where she began to read for a business degree but stopped shortly after to chase her real dream.

At age 21, she started training with Air Jamaica, that was transitioning to Caribbean Airlines. She said that the six weeks in training, although rigorous, were her biggest achievement.

"There was a poise about them, it was a look. They spoke eloquently, the service was flawless and I was like 'this is what I wanted to do.' I never wanted to do the average job, this was not the norm," Bennett said.

Having been in the profession for 25 years, she falls deeper in love with her job every day. Bennett's eyes beamed as she recalled her first day on the job.

"I didn't sleep that night. I couldn't wait to put on all that make-up and fix up my hair and put on the uniform with the scarf. I didn't know how to tie it so I did it like three, four times. But now it is like second nature to me," Bennett said. She quickly debunked the belief that flight attendants 'just walk through the airport with their bags, look pretty and serve food.' Bennett, who attended Manchester and Belair High schools explained that flight attendants are safety specialists who are highly trained in first aid assistance, fire drills and evacuation procedures.

Needless to say, the 46-year-old spends copious hours away from home but anticipates returning to the island for quality family time. For this Yuletide season, she will cherish interactions with her teenage sons and husband, track and field coach Corey Bennett. When the holiday catches her in the sky, she ensures that her family spends a weekend on the north coast or the celebrations are done at home.

"The training to become a flight attendant does teach you how to compartmentalise, you have to organise yourself. So, if I am leaving for three days, I have to organise the house for three days, organise the children for three days because you have to be in a good mental state when you coming to work. It teaches you good balance and the days that I am not flying, I pour everything into my boys and my marriage," she told THE STAR, adding that she has always been able to witness her children's achievements, including graduations and sporting events.

She said her profession has allowed her to explore her other passion of designing. Two years ago, she was given the opportunity to design pieces for a children's fashion show and her brand, Zilac, was birthed. Being a flight attendant has also helped her to mature personally.

"This job has taught me to live for today and to appreciate people and their situations. Where I am today, is because of the journey I have travelled. Who I am today, I am proud of being a flight attendant," Bennett said, flashing a smile.