Flight Attendant: The Glamorous Job

Being a flight attendant isn't as glamorous as we have perceived it to be, nonetheless I'd still choose it to be my profession. Most people are so prejudicial. When a woman works in a ship, she isn't as glorified compared to those who fly as a stewardess. "Glamour" is attached to those who are working in the sky but let me tell you that there's a lot of beliefs to broken, a lot of factors to be realized.

Back in college, me and my classmates would talk about how we'd want to be a flight attendant, earn a huge salary and travel the world for free. We were blinded by the thought of how easy it is to become one: having a pleasing personality, acceptable height and the willingness to serve passengers with a smile.

X Beauty as a Qualification

Whenever we see a clique of flight attendants walking in the airport, isn't it irresistible to turn our heads and follow their direction? They're all so pretty and sophisticated in their matching uniforms, luggage and crew bags. No wonder they're one of the airline's front liners.

After a few weeks of training, I've had several more reasons to look up to those women. You don't become an FA in an instant. You don't get hired because you're beautiful or tall nor because of Padrino System (though I've heard some who got away; they won't last anyway). They got the position because they're capable, willing, deserving and because they worked hard for it. I don't know with the other airlines but that's how it goes for the country's flag carrier.

I've been basing my statements with how we were taught in training. As I've mentioned before, we are supposed to meet PAL's very high standards in terms of passing our exams. Not just that, we're only allowed to fail twice or else we'll lose our lifelines and say good bye to the dreams that's almost within our grasp. 

What I'm trying to say is that those FAs passed a very rigid training which got them to where they are now. They're not just some pretty faces who were fortunate but I'm  definitely sure they have the brains and they know exactly what they are doing. PAL trained their attendants to be knowledgeable to know what needs to be done given different situations and act on it gracefully without losing composure.

X Glorified Waitresses

What do flight attendants really do? Most people think that FAs are just glorified waitresses because of their responsibility in serving food up there. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but they're not. Yes, a part of their duty is to be a service provider but first and foremost they are your trusted security and safety professionals up there.

At a cruising altitude of 30,000 ft., there's nobody else to aid you except your dear FAs so I suggest that you do not think of them as glorified waitresses only. It's a very humbling and versatile profession. Nowadays, they're are expected to be the luggage handler, cleaner, psychologist, security guard, first aider, fire fighter, mid-wife, psychologist, tour guide, entertainer and so on and so forth as long as you're in-flight. 

The next time you see one, you should appreciate them more.

ICCT 13-06 with Ms. Divine

ICCT 13-06 with Ms. Roan

ICCT 13-06 with class adviser, Sir Arys Obeso

I'm grateful for our mentors: Ma'am Divine Divinagracia, Ma'am Roan Guanlao and Sir Arys Obeso. All the trainings and insights we got from them will all be remembered and treasured.

X Easy and Repetitive Job

It's a part of a flight attendant's job to look presentable: hair in a bun, well pressed uniforms, polished and un-chipped nails with full make up. They'd be picked up from home, fly to their destination, do the safety demo, serve passengers, get back to their jump seat, back to their domicile station then taken home by a service car. It goes on and on for the rest of their flying career.

It does sound easy and repetitive but it's not.

As I've mentioned above, ang mga flight attendant pang all-around na ngayon. Passengers would normally rely on cabin crews for their luggage; imagine 136 passengers (depending on the aircraft) relying on them for assistance and that's just for a one-way flight. 

Carrying heavy luggage often lead to back aches. FAs experience motion sickness and even breathing and skin problems due to working in a pressurized cabin. It's their duty to face hot tempered, irritated or even agitated passengers. In case of a strong turbulence, they're there to reassure you with a smile even though they are already scared for themselves. Since they fly all the time, they are always far from home and most of the time they'd miss special occasions because FAs do not have holidays.

It's really not that easy but it becomes a lighter job for those who enjoy it.

Based from what our mentors taught us, the word repetitive never even crossed my mind. It's always exciting to try new things and with this profession, new is an old word. FAs get to visit different places, experience different cultures, meet different kinds of people and work with different set of crews.

The only repetitive thing is the flight routine (e.g. safety demo, service, smiling and greeting. . .) but of course it's a part of their duty.

Repetition is a part of specialization. Cabin crews are on top of what they're doing because they have done it over and over again.

     

Would you still like to have this glamorous job? Share your thought :)

-Pau

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PAL: ICCT 13-06

Last June 16, I poured my heart's discontent at a blog post here. It was a moment of acceptance that I may not be able to be a part of PAL anymore. It was so melodramatic but I have a basis for stating such. My schoolmate whom I processed my medical tests with already started her training for PAL, and I am so happy for her. That's when I thought that I didn't got in but I still continued finishing all the requirements.

After finishing all the requirements my schoolmate tipped me, I unexpectedly got a call from PAL last July 1. They were asking me to report to their office for final processing.

  

July 3: Final Processing

At 8:00 am, we're already at Macapagal Avenue. We were asked to submit all the requirements for processing (lots of filled up and signed papers) but obviously mine were incomplete.

After our medical test last May 20, all of us were asked to go back to Macapagal Ave. for the list of requirements except me. Everybody got informed except me. And that is why pala... the typical miscommunication. So there I was being paranaoid for a long period of time just because I lack the instruction others got. So anyways, Iv'e moved on. I already got my chance.

This day I managed to finish my training I.D., open a bank account for our allowance and register my account number at the payroll and timekeeping office. I'm really getting close to the realization of my childhood dream. I'm all set for my training that will start on July 15.

Come a few days before our training, it was postponed *sob* but only for a week. Haha! I'm giddy and excited. We're finally off to our training site tomorrow. That's why I have to cut this short. I need to pack my things. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you to those who sympathized when I thought I didn't make it most especially to those who encouraged me to never stop reaching that dream despite almost being turned down. Ehem! Thanks to  Jam, Chino and my family :*

AMDG! :)
-Pau

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PAL Flight Cancelled

After expressing my thoughts on my first job, let me now express my disappointment with PAL. I may not do this, but I want to. Almost everybody knows that being a part of this airline is a big career advancement and prestige especially for their pilots and FAs. With that being said, it is just appropriate that PAL strictly and thoroughly screen their applicants. I have nothing against that but I just hope that their application process and schedule of activities is systematic so as not to waste the time and efforts of the applicants. 

Initial Screening

When it comes to applying for a job, "we'll call you" most of the time, means that you're not hired, you better not hope anymore and start looking for another job. I sort of did this except for the hoping part since they stated that they'd call you if you pass the initial screening or you'd get an email if you don't. I got neither of the two.

Last March 1 and 2, Philippine Airlines opened an FA screening at Royal Mandaya Hotel (Davao City). I attended the second day and went through an interview, height measurement, filling up information forms, recording a video and having my picture taken. It sounds fast and easy but it's not. You have to wait for several hours because of the number of hopefuls.

Fortunately, we got in and we were briefed right after initial screening. The one who did the talking told us about the next step and that we'll be contacted after 2 weeks. Later on, I found out that some of my classmates passed the initial screening in the first day, too. However, in their briefing the staff of PAL told them that they'll call after a month. So what is it really? 2 weeks passed, 1 month passed and even our graduation day passed. I already went back to Manila, got a job and so are my classmates in Davao who waited for PAL to call. 

2 months passed. I'm also on the verge of my two weeks employment at an advertising firm when they called. May 7, 2013. I can clearly  remember  that it was after a meeting with one of our clients and my smile almost reached my ears as the person told me that she's from PAL and that she'd schedule me an interview with PAL president, Mr. Ramon S. Ang, himself. Thinking that I'm still in Davao, she offered a plane ticket but then I told her that I'm already in Manila. Staying for good.

FA Interview for RSA

May 16, 2013. We were asked to be at the PAL office at Mandaluyong by 8:00 am. I got there a minute or two before 8 am. There were already a lot of applicants that were screened from different parts of the country. I was also happy to see two of my schoolmates from Davao who got there. While waiting, a staff told me that we were not going to be interviewed. And yes we weren't. We were only viewed by PAL president for visual impact. Parang pageant lang noh? Mr. Ang was that busy because after an hour or two pa kami na-entertain. It lasted for a few minutes only. Some were not fortunate but a lot passed his standards.

After those bloody but fruitful hours of waiting, we were asked to take lunch and were given  the address where we are going to take our exam by 1:00 pm. Same day.

Examination

We took the examination at PNB, Macapagal. It lasted for almost three hours. They gave us a number to call and inquire if we passed the exam. Aside from that, we're individually checked up as well, physically. They looked at our hands, fingers, elbows, shoulders, face and even our teeth. I like their staff there because they're approachable and very organized.

Interlude: It just so happens that I also got something to do at TRINOMA by 10:00 pm. We had to ingress some stuff for our booth because we will be having a mall activation the next day. We finished the booth the next day and I got home from Quezon to Cavite by 3:00 am. It literally cost me my job.

I'm in such a good place, work wise. If it weren't for my dream job, I wouldn't quit my former job. But I did and I have to because PAL kept on scheduling appointments without considering the availability of the applicants. It was them who failed to call within their schedule, not all people can wait for them. Some people tried hard to be a part of them. And I'm one of those who have a pinch of regret.

Medical Check Up

May 20, 2013. The step I disliked the most because of their inefficient, unapproachable, inconsiderate and inconsistent staff. I no longer want to dwell on the details of how hard it is to talk to them and how they give instructions inconsistently. The bottom line is I get to be regularized if I signed  the undertaking stating that I'll carry all the expenses for the removal of my 3 impacted teeth. I signed last June 7 because they said I can still join the training on June 24. May 21-June 7, it took them that long to tell me that there is something that might disqualify my application when in fact I regularly call them for an update because that was their instruction. I'd usually get a "call again tomorrow" statement.

Last June 14, the others who passed already attended the orientation. My classmates in Davao who got in the initial screening never got an email. Thank you PAL for not having a word of honor. It would  be easily acceptable if you just said to my face that I can no longer proceed because of my impacted teeth when, in fact, you already asked me to personally go to your medical clinic just to sign a paper.

May you continue to shine through being the country's flag carrier, first in Asia.

-Pau

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