HP shed 3,000 jobs after its most recent financial results were announced, but at least one part of the company is stepping up its recruitment.

Air Fiorina is looking for a flight attendant, based in San Jose, California.

The executive air force needs an attendant who will be "responsible for passenger safety and comfort aboard company aircraft". Other duties include "demonstrat(ing) the use and location of survival equipment as appropriate, explain(g) ditching procedures, use of emergency oxygen and location of information safety cards."

There's no specific mention of haircuts or pedicures, although the successful applicant must be "resourceful when confronted with non-standard work duties," of course. An HP spokesperson told us that the air force was worth it because of "security and efficiency" but declined to elaborate on what the non-standard work duties might entail.

The applicant must also be capable of handling "high work load/stressful situations", of which there are many indeed in Silicon Valley right now. And it would take a braver soul than this reporter to get on the wrong side of Hewlett Packard's very own Prince of Darkness, the marvelous Shane Robison, at 35,000 feet.

To be fair to HP, the air force isn't just for the top brass. HP has a shuttle that carries staff between San Jose and Roseville. ®