The reality of being an SQ GAL

[vix]

aiyo, not tat I want to say, out of ur 20 flight crew, it takes 1 to make u to be so pssed? Com'n, r u here to get attention, change jobs, or what?! most FA cook instant noodles in hotels too ... so did u ask urself if something might also be wrong about u?

[moonyuki]

I read wat u guys have written, sounds fun and challenging to me. I have always wanted to to be cabin crew and i am going be 21, i still havent went for the interview. Heard from my frens that the skin complexion got to be very gd with very gd english and high education. While i dont.. my english is so grade 7 for my o level and heard that this coming sun there is an interview, still wandering if i should go for it...

[12345]

guess what guys...
on my most recent flight i flew with that bitchy LSS XXX again!

what luck!

thk gdness i didnt werk with her la.
She werked in fwd / 1st class
However she zapped all her crew big time...

poorthings! anyway didnt mention anything until at the station.
coz sometimes u never know...
But true to her name, she was picking on all of them
non stop.

on the leg back to sin. she stopped over in my galley where i was
eating cup noodles n asked me y was i eating cup noodles,
and whether theres no more main courses.
i said there was but it was heated up to long ago
n was very dry...

she then zapped me for eating cup noodles! said i was depriving
pax of food n all tht.

ARGHHH

gross

Where are all the crews who rank above this lady? Like CS and CSS...do they actually take note of her misbehaviour??? Hows her attitude when she's dealing with the seniors? Does she "transform" instantly? Hehe. Dominating like she's the queen on the plane...ohh, plsssss...GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

[Plavt]

aiyo, not tat I want to say, out of ur 20 flight crew, it takes 1 to make u to be so pssed? Com'n, r u here to get attention, change jobs, or what?! most FA cook instant noodles in hotels too ... so did u ask urself if something might also be wrong about u?

That would seem possible given that Sia Cabin Crew Gal has so far posted all the negative aspects. A good many of the cabin crew of all ranks I have met seem amiable enough people acknowledging the fact I am a passenger and never really know them. However, as Vix says given the numbers involved it can't all be bad can it?

Come on Cabin crew gal let's hear something you enjoyed; a stewardess meets lots of people from all walks of life and various personalities some which leave you wondering or take you by surprise. Do tell us somethng about this which could be a useful contributon and variation to the forum.

[12345]

r u sure! I'm in my 20s n not wif SQ now ....

So u mean u were previously with SQ? Still a cabin crew now with another airline or not even a cabin crew anymore?

Coz Plavt said u r an experienced crew...hehe. So i tot u walk around the airport in orange kebaya...*giggles* Ur postings also kinda indicate that u r assuming a senior cabin crew role...arent u?

[ryanstarr]

Hi, very well said. I left SQ years back and worked "outside" for a while. Worse...so now back in cabin crew, but with Tiger Airways. Met a nasty CS, now IFS, who threw coffee spoons all over my galley top. That was it for me. I took my cabin bag and walked off. Looking back, I really regret my actions. I am still learning about the job as a FA, even now as a Crew-In-Charge with TR. So "SIA Cabin Crew Gal", do listen to "biscotti girl". Hope you will hang on for years to come and collect your $40,000. There is really nothing to compare with flying for your National Carrier. I really regret quitting SQ...

Before the interview, u were excited. During the interview, u were anxious. Once you are accepted, u were overhelmed! This is the common reaction from all people scheduling for training @ training centre. Sometime I wondered why some of us (in the cabin crew circle) like to lament so much about their job when they are actually having one of the most highly-regarded and well-paid occputation in SG.

All of us are trained PROFESSIONALLY and ADEQUATELY during the months whilst in training centre. We are clearly aware of the duties we are suppose to perform whenever we are assigned a certain work position. The reality is, When we do a mistake, we try all sort of ways to 'cover' it. We will not admit it immediately. This is the flaw that most of us have. If we could admit our mistakes instanteously, others will repect your honesty and your sense of responsibilities! I believe all of us were 'prempt' beforehand about the 'types of colleagues' we will be going to meet onboard. So why be so harsh on yourself when you already knew all these? Relax, take a deep breathe and work it off!

I would like to quote the lady who nick is 'SIA cabin crew gal'. No offend to this. I understand that you are pretty new to the airline since you mentioned about your '5th solo on this B777-300er a/c. All new crews are meant to learn more and work harder. Nothing is fair in this world. You slog now but you enjoy the fruits of your labor later! Why do you have to feel so uptight and frustrated when you can avoid all of those? I once operate a flight with this ranking crew and she was very harsh towards me too. I believe i must have done something incorrect but she refused to tell me. I was the most junior in the flight that day. At that point of time, I felt demoralised and full of anguish towards her. However, I told myself that once the a/c door opens (when we landed in singapore), I would not see this person again after the flight. I left my anguish and unhappiness behind. Eventually, this will lightens up your mood and you would not feel that 'unjustice' anymore! This is my advise to you.

Cabin crew life is so must easier than any 9-5 jobs and yet some of us are still not satisfied. Remember, for every cabin crew employed, there are a hundred (or even more now) hopefuls who were eliminated during the process of interview. I'm not trying to imply that this is a saint's job but its not bad either right? So be thankful and be mindful about what we say and do. Think about it, you get to enjoy the sight-seeings in exotic countries, catching a football match in london, skiing during winter, lunching @ Lyon_Paris, chilling out @ some Hongkong cafe, shop till you drop @ VS/Abercrombie/Forever21/Old Navy and u named it. However, before you get to enjoy all those, you need to put in your 101% attention and energy for your passengers during the X hours of flight. At the end of the day, you will be laughing at yourself for being rigid and silly! Cleaning up the lavatories more than your fellow colleagues is no big deal after all!


Despite many a times, I hear VE- remarks on the cabin crews, I am, nevertheless, still proud of myself and my company. Remember the pledge that you recite every morning....

Lastly, You can be slow but you can never be lazy. You can be chirpy but never be b*itchy!

p.s Survival tips to a better well-being

Good luck!

[Sarah_89]

Hi ryanstarr, u are with tiger air now?I heard that its a fun envirnment to work in ?.. Just wana check with you, how do i know if there are any recruitments going on nad if i have already send my CV over, will i have to wait a long time before they get back to me with the results?
Thank so much.

Sarah

[Stu]

I found this thread very interesting and would like to share a personal experience.

There was once I was flying from Singapore to Sydney. It was on one of those 747-400 planes where there was an upper deck for Business Class which required a pull down screen to show the safety video. After the safety video presentation, the flight stewardess forgot to pull it back up and was reminded/told off by the Chief Stewardess (Lady in red), who then did it personally.

After that incident, I did not see that flight stewardess for a long time, at least a few hours, and when she did reappear, her eyes were red. It was clear she had been crying.

I did pity her. However, I did also feel that she overreacted (maybe due to her youth and lack of work experience) since to me that particular telling off which I witnessed was quite mild. Maybe there was a much more harsher/severe telling off in the galley which I personally did not witness, however that is something that happens in the corporate world too.

I do not condone back stabbing/bitching but if it is telling you directly in the face then that is something everybody has to get used to in the working world. Just be a little thick skinned and try and view everything constructively and you will be a happier person. At the end of the day, I think that should be the goal of most people, i.e. to be happy.

Just out of curiosity, on average, how long does it take for a Flight Stewardess to become a Leading Stewardess and for a Leading Stewardess to become a Chief Stewardess?

[missy_a]

From a FSS to a LSS, it takes roughly about 5-7 yrs and to be a CSS, will takes another 5-7 yrs. Which means a CSS will be flying for about 15 yrs at least.

Frankly speaking, i feel tat cabin crew is reali one of the best jobs around. We only work hard for tat few hours flt and we get into a new place after we finish work.

People pay $2000 over for an air tix to London to look at London Eye, Tower Bridge, etc but we get paid to watch it. How nice can it be?

Seniors these days are nicer now and not so much of zapping as compared to the past. But ultimately, it still depends on ur attitude towards work.

The right attitude will definitely goes a long way.

If you do ur homework well before your flight, be well groomed n uphold the company's image, serve ur passengers well, work well with ur colleagues, there is no reason y any1 shld be zap for no reason.

There's always a reason behind everything that happens.

Just my 2 cents worth!! =)

[oohlala]

From a FSS to a LSS, it takes roughly about 5-7 yrs and to be a CSS, will takes another 5-7 yrs. Which means a CSS will be flying for about 15 yrs at least.

Frankly speaking, i feel tat cabin crew is reali one of the best jobs around. We only work hard for tat few hours flt and we get into a new place after we finish work.

People pay $2000 over for an air tix to London to look at London Eye, Tower Bridge, etc but we get paid to watch it. How nice can it be?

Seniors these days are nicer now and not so much of zapping as compared to the past. But ultimately, it still depends on ur attitude towards work.

The right attitude will definitely goes a long way.

If you do ur homework well before your flight, be well groomed n uphold the company's image, serve ur passengers well, work well with ur colleagues, there is no reason y any1 shld be zap for no reason.

There's always a reason behind everything that happens.

Just my 2 cents worth!! =)

Hie missy_a,
You just graduated right?

[Deer Bambi]

We have to put up With alot of SHIT!

hello there... mind if i ask how old r u? and if you did grad w hon why did u end up working as a stewardess... cuz i believe ur qualifications can land u up somewhere else so much better n stable. u dont need to worry about getting fat or having kids....

[Deer Bambi]

If the seniors have themselves been through it... the more they should understand the cruelty of it all and not do it unto others. I believe it is their duty and right to correct and perhaps lecture the juniors shortcomings but it should all be in the name of professionalism. However, to intentionally make things difficult for juniors just does not sound ethical.

true enough.. but maybe they were having the mindset that if they dont exert some cruelty to the newbies, they wont learnt.

[Stu]

I think Deer Bambi is right. If you are a graduate and want to travel and see the world, there are other global/regional jobs which cater for that.

I travel on average once a month for a 2 week period each time. I work office hours when I am onsite and in the evenings/weekends, I am free to explore and sight see, try out different restaurants, all expenses paid for. I don't really have to spend my salary which is all saved unless I shop.

My worth to the company and in the market goes higher for every year I work and I don't really have to worry too much about making sure that I still look good when I am in my late 30s, 40s to 50s. Not that you shouldn't work out and still try to look good at that age.............

Obviously, the locations that I go to are the more established ones and not as diverse and exotic as some of the developing African countries, but then you accumulate sufficient airmiles and hotel points in the process of your business travel to go to these locations so that your own holidays are fully paid for.

Just food for thought.......

[12345]

I think Deer Bambi is right. If you are a graduate and want to travel and see the world, there are other global/regional jobs which cater for that.

I travel on average once a month for a 2 week period each time. I work office hours when I am onsite and in the evenings/weekends, I am free to explore and sight see, try out different restaurants, all expenses paid for. I don't really have to spend my salary which is all saved unless I shop.

My worth to the company and in the market goes higher for every year I work and I don't really have to worry too much about making sure that I still look good when I am in my late 30s, 40s to 50s. Not that you shouldn't work out and still try to look good at that age.............

Obviously, the locations that I go to are the more established ones and not as diverse and exotic as some of the developing African countries, but then you accumulate sufficient airmiles and hotel points in the process of your business travel to go to these locations so that your own holidays are fully paid for.

Just food for thought.......

May i know in which industry u r currently working now? N in wat line of job? Coz i'm clueless on the types of jobs that could offer me such traveling opportunities. I'm gonna grad soon and am really at a lost now. I understand working as a consultant involves much traveling. But wat about jobs apart from that? Would really appreciate it if u could kindly share ur experience...thanks!

[C]

May i know in which industry u r currently working now? N in wat line of job? Coz i'm clueless on the types of jobs that could offer me such traveling opportunities. I'm gonna grad soon and am really at a lost now. I understand working as a consultant involves much traveling. But wat about jobs apart from that? Would really appreciate it if u could kindly share ur experience...thanks!

I guess it really depends on which company you want to join. As a graduate, you could probably can consider to join Maersk. You will get to travel pretty often!