Blue eyeshadow,red lipstick,red nails and neatly hair sprayed hair with a body hugging custom-made uniform.I believe this is the dream of many to don on such an uniform and strut down international airports with a charming smile and a suitcase.On the surface,it seems very easy and glamourous aint it?
But what really are the challenges faced by the crew and what goes behind that big plastered smile?Life as a crew is not all sweet and rosy.Like many would say its a Love-hate relationship.With that,let me share my side of my past flying stories to you guys out there who have always been interested to know what we, as crew, do outstation and onboard.
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Firstly,most of us have this syndrome whenever we report for flight-#PFS#.The definition of PFS is PRE-FLIGHT SYNDROME.This syndrome includes draggy legs,heart pumping and anxiety attack.Yes normally we start praying.This syndrome occurs because we flew with different people every flight and trust me,there are as much warped people around as well as awesomely nice ones.Everyone have different working styles,some are motivational while some have serious character flaws.
Honestly,im horrified by the quality of some crew who were promoted.Yes,let me tell you what the " so called bosses" do.I seen many who sat in the crew seat from take-off to landing,not working at all and their poor crew have to struggle on their own.And one just went galley to galley in search of food during service time,while we are busy serving passengers.Others just used their eye power to"help"and then,still have the cheek to complain when the work was not done to his liking.
I picked up a lot of acting skills during flying days just to deal with such people.You have to act really bimbotic sometimes to feed their ego.Rule of the thumb is just to smile and thanked them even when they just put you down to make themselves look better.More often then not,I always end up rolling my eyes when i walked away after listening to their senseless preaching.
ps:Im not saying everyone is like that. There are more nice ones actually then the above mentioned people.But since bad stories are always meant to be hidden during flying days,now Ive stopped.I might as well share some stories with you guys.
Secondly, I think this picture have say it all.
With ridiculously short stays nowadays,crew spends most of their time looking at hotel room's walls then exploring the country that they had just worked hours just to reach there.Most flight only have 1 clear day for you to do your shopping or to do sight seeing. so you have to choose ONE!In fact,Ive landed in sydney airport,stayed in sydney hotel but never step foot out of the hotel at all until its time to return home.Thats cause the stay is so short,you only have about 24 hours there to sleep.
Thirdly,the job is pretty monotonous.Basically you do the same things,day in and day out.Thats also the reason why i left the airlines because im someone who like challenges in life and moreover, im still so young. I did not want to get stuck to the comfort zone and never try venturing into other career paths that might lead me to greater things in life.And thus,despite many disapproving looks of others,i went ahead with my decision. I guess the best support Ive gotten so far were surprisingly from my ex collegues,who were glad i found the direction i want in my career path.
I hope im not scaring you guys out with this post.These are just some challenges you will be likely to face during flying. The next post i will share with you the crazy ,fun and adventurous life of a crew. Come to think about,i still missed it every now and then when looking at my batchmates' new uploaded photos on fb.
Its been a great experience!
-Dawn L
