Jetstar flight attendant reveals what she always packs in her carry on

After 15 years of flying, a flight attendant is bound to pick up a few tips to pass on to passengers and those aspiring to follow in their footsteps.Sofie Ayres has been flying with Jetstar since it started in New Zealand in 2009. The airline celebrated the milestone on June 10, 2024, the anniversary of its services commencing between Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.She was now the in-flight standards and development manager and estimated she has worked on more than 10,000 flights.READ MORE: The scientific reason airplane food tastes so 'bad'"I started as a flight attendant, and I quite quickly figured out I wanted to be running the cabin. They say it's the pilot that runs the cabin, but it's actually the cabin manager, so I really enjoyed that and the challenges that provided.Then I wanted more and I wanted to look at training."I'm so invested in developing the crew and our standards on board."To those thinking about entering the profession, Ayres had some advice."Get some customer service skills. Be comfortable talking to people. If you're a people person, this is the job for you.READ MORE: Four ways to save money on a trip to Disneyland"People that are looking to apply for Jetstar, it's such an open space to work. We've got people of all walks of life as well. So my advice would be don't think that you're not capable of doing it."It's always possible to do this job if you make it work and it's so worth it. I've got kids and I still can manage my home life balance really well. On a domestic flight I can be home in the afternoon," she said.Ayres said she loved sharing in passengers' joy when they are travelling for a special occasion, such as their wedding.READ MORE: Unique, quirky and unusual hotel stays across Australia"When people are travelling to get married and they come on with their wedding dresses, I like to give them tips and tricks on how to get the crinkles out of their wedding dress when they get to their destination."In the flight, wait till everyone's boarded and then place the [dress or suit] on top of the luggage to avoid anyone squashing it in the overhead lockers. Then the advice I always give, and this was given to me when I got married, is hang it in the bathroom in your hotel and turn the shower on really hot. Get the bathroom all steamy and the crinkles come out of your wedding dress."For the uniform I usually just use the iron, but it is handy to pass on those tricks because most of the brides never know and they're always grateful."Ayres, who was based out of Christchurch, was always sure to pack a spare pair of clothes in her carry-on bag."You never know where you're going to end up. I always take my makeup, a good moisturiser, deodorant. I take all my PPE that's required for work and snacks just in case you get a little bit peckish. Just some everyday items and a facial spray."When I fly long haul or any flights over five hours I always get some Hydralyte and drink that. It makes you feel so much better when you're arriving at your destination. That's probably my number one tip."Don't forget a pen, either. That's one of the most common items cabin crew are asked for, Ayres said."We always get asked how many flights we do a day, that's probably the most common. That's four usually. What time do we finish and what base we're from? Do you have a pen?"This story was originally published by Stuff and has been repurposed here with permission.