(blurb): cabin crew misconceptions pt. 1
I contemplated writing this post for quite awhile but I figured it wouldn't hurt to enlighten a couple of people about this job. Being pretty new (keyword 'junior'), I'm sure my words/perspective will differ from what you've heard. Furthermore, every crew has a different story and experience to tell. There are so many things you can do, my friend, to be a great passenger on board (literally, just don't do anything stupid and don't ask for too many weird things either).
1. I quote (hi pet!), "A waitress won't even need to bother about your safety." To most of us, safety comes first. Turbulent weather can get pretty nasty. Recently, my batch boy and I had to persistently ask a passenger to sit down. It got so bumpy that we felt as if we were gonna get thrown out of our seats even though we were strapped in. "Can you imagine if she really went to the toilet?" Be nice, listen to your crew.
2. There's more to being a crew than meets the eye. We're not (just) waitresses or waiters. It's not about *~*glamour*~* or looking pretty either. The months of training can be mentally and physically tiring/frustrating/challenging, you name it. There's a great deal of things to study for. Besides that, reenacting scenarios of an actual crash, going into a pitch-black aircraft to find survivors and jumping into a 3 meter pool are all part of it. Safety procedures are not to be taken lightly and everyone has to pass. I studied so much and trust me, I didn't even study that hard in school. As our instructors always say, "I hope you'll never have to use what I teach you here." (yes please)
3. The crew and passengers really makes a difference to me on whether the flight will be a great one. There are bound to be days were some nasty passengers are picky and horribly impatient, or seniors that make me feel like going home asap.
4. We rarely get to spend much time with family and friends. Due to the weird working hours (aka leaving the house at 4am or coming home at 8am after an overnight/red eye flight), it's difficult to find time for anyone. There's no 'weekends' or public holidays, everyday is a work day. I'm still tryna get the hang of actually telling people when I'm free because just look at my standbys GDI
5. I feel like my health isn't the best right now (and I should start doing something about it tbh). It's so easy to fall sick because of minimum rest hours, long turnaround fligts and being in contact with so many passengers daily (that could be sick). There are, of course, a long list of effects that flying has on the body. I'm probably dehydrated 90% of the time without realizing it. And, I need sleep. Sleeeeeeep.
6. Children will ask for anything and everything. I wonder if they realize how small our galley is (sweetie, NTUC on ground la daa). I had a passenger (teacher, bringing a group of kids on a trip) that asked me "Do you know how it's like to be a teacher now?" I would've loved to reply "Do you know how it's like to be a crew?" but I kept smiling even though the teachers didn't stop the kids when they asked for another round of meals/refreshments and ALL types of juices. (would you like the natural juices from my eyes AKA TEARS)
7. We can't help delays due to air traffic control, bad weather, technical issues etc. Some things are out of our control and we can't help it, we don't fancy delays either. Same goes for turbulence, crew would be super grateful if you'll wait for turbulence to clear before pressing the call bell or asking for hot drinks. Please don't press the call bell when service is suspended, we can't get up to attend to you. If you reaaaally want to go to the loo or have your hot tea, I wish I could clear the clouds for you but I ain't Aang, mam, very sorry
8. I have a love/hate relationship with short turnaround flights. On one hand, we get to go home early to rest. On the other hand, the crew has to work soooo fast due to the limited time for service. When I fly with senior crew, it baffles me how fast they move (then I start to realize I'm comparatively slow af psssh). There's no time for the crew to eat or rest either, especially if the load is full.
There are good days though. Cute babies, great passengers that make the crew smile and nice seniors that I can learn from. Like everything else, there's always a good and not-so-good side. I'm pretty sure I left out quite a number of things (that's why I named this pt. 1) Once again, of all these points are solely my POV/opinions.
Thank you for reading. Yip yip.
1. I quote (hi pet!), "A waitress won't even need to bother about your safety." To most of us, safety comes first. Turbulent weather can get pretty nasty. Recently, my batch boy and I had to persistently ask a passenger to sit down. It got so bumpy that we felt as if we were gonna get thrown out of our seats even though we were strapped in. "Can you imagine if she really went to the toilet?" Be nice, listen to your crew.
2. There's more to being a crew than meets the eye. We're not (just) waitresses or waiters. It's not about *~*glamour*~* or looking pretty either. The months of training can be mentally and physically tiring/frustrating/challenging, you name it. There's a great deal of things to study for. Besides that, reenacting scenarios of an actual crash, going into a pitch-black aircraft to find survivors and jumping into a 3 meter pool are all part of it. Safety procedures are not to be taken lightly and everyone has to pass. I studied so much and trust me, I didn't even study that hard in school. As our instructors always say, "I hope you'll never have to use what I teach you here." (yes please)
3. The crew and passengers really makes a difference to me on whether the flight will be a great one. There are bound to be days were some nasty passengers are picky and horribly impatient, or seniors that make me feel like going home asap.
4. We rarely get to spend much time with family and friends. Due to the weird working hours (aka leaving the house at 4am or coming home at 8am after an overnight/red eye flight), it's difficult to find time for anyone. There's no 'weekends' or public holidays, everyday is a work day. I'm still tryna get the hang of actually telling people when I'm free because just look at my standbys GDI
5. I feel like my health isn't the best right now (and I should start doing something about it tbh). It's so easy to fall sick because of minimum rest hours, long turnaround fligts and being in contact with so many passengers daily (that could be sick). There are, of course, a long list of effects that flying has on the body. I'm probably dehydrated 90% of the time without realizing it. And, I need sleep. Sleeeeeeep.
6. Children will ask for anything and everything. I wonder if they realize how small our galley is (sweetie, NTUC on ground la daa). I had a passenger (teacher, bringing a group of kids on a trip) that asked me "Do you know how it's like to be a teacher now?" I would've loved to reply "Do you know how it's like to be a crew?" but I kept smiling even though the teachers didn't stop the kids when they asked for another round of meals/refreshments and ALL types of juices. (would you like the natural juices from my eyes AKA TEARS)
7. We can't help delays due to air traffic control, bad weather, technical issues etc. Some things are out of our control and we can't help it, we don't fancy delays either. Same goes for turbulence, crew would be super grateful if you'll wait for turbulence to clear before pressing the call bell or asking for hot drinks. Please don't press the call bell when service is suspended, we can't get up to attend to you. If you reaaaally want to go to the loo or have your hot tea, I wish I could clear the clouds for you but I ain't Aang, mam, very sorry
8. I have a love/hate relationship with short turnaround flights. On one hand, we get to go home early to rest. On the other hand, the crew has to work soooo fast due to the limited time for service. When I fly with senior crew, it baffles me how fast they move (then I start to realize I'm comparatively slow af psssh). There's no time for the crew to eat or rest either, especially if the load is full.
There are good days though. Cute babies, great passengers that make the crew smile and nice seniors that I can learn from. Like everything else, there's always a good and not-so-good side. I'm pretty sure I left out quite a number of things (that's why I named this pt. 1) Once again, of all these points are solely my POV/opinions.
Thank you for reading. Yip yip.