The perspective and opinion of other stewardesses might differ from mine but at least I can assure you that 70% will agree when I say a stewardess' life is not all glitz and glamour.Well,we might look glamourous while standing tall and walking around the airport in our tight fitting uniforms.Heads will turn to look at our stereotypical beauty,which of course consisting the melt-proof striking makeup on our faces and hair neatly tight in an up-do.Of course,some (specifically those who love the attention and limelight) will eventually change their ambition in life just to be one of those walking dollies when seeing them glamorously pulling their trolley bags towards the aircraft for duty.
What you see and what I've just described above are BIG FAT illusions!Have you actually seen the real situation as soon we got on the aircraft,before all of you passengers boarded them?Have you actually peeped behind the curtain drawn galleys right after take-off and before landing?And finally,have you had any idea on what we did when all of you were knocking yourselves out with the inflight entertainment systems and catching up with your sleep?
Well,those are the 'behind-the-scenes' agendas that you will not have a single clue on until a stewardess actually tells you.I'm not gonna tell you right here,right now coz those are the unpretty things that includes in a stewardess' job description.Don't get me wrong though.There are lots and dozens of beauty in being a stewardess such as traveling-while-working benefits,spending your nights in unfamiliar countries at 5-star hotels,shopping for necessities at rock bottom prices (items from the countries of origin),dining gourmet food on board on almost every flight and escape undesirable invitations at your hometown coz everyone will just assume that you're up there flying,even when you're actually not =P
When I first joined the company and started flying as their FSS (flight stewardess and not FA),the impression they planted in my head was the exact same when I first stepped into TKC,my old beloved high school.The impression was that they wouldn't do much favor for your own comfort and security,unless you adapted yourself into the culture that has been going on around for many freaking years.Trust me,they wouldn't change it if they have the opportunity to.Manners,attitude,knowledge,hardwork and confidence were all needed for you to survive that culture.Even after awhile,you thought you've blended well in the culture,things might just go wrong in a blink of an eye,so those elements I've just mentioned above should never be removed from your personal survival pack.
In my current company and TKC's great culture,seniors always always come first.If you were born with humbleness,it shall not be a rocket science problem for you to solve.Those who do not have that or refused to obtain it along the way will struggle to survive.The good thing about this great culture is that you'll learn how to respect others and not to override those in power.Like a saying that goes 'In order to lead,you need to learn to follow'.The bad thing about it,a single mistake will might haunt you for years coz the rumor of your mistake being done will spread along like a contagious disease from one mouth to the other in no time.The next thing you know,you're famous and everyone will know you for something you might not be proud of.The only way to avoid those rumors from getting worse is a hell quick recovery.
As a stewardess,you are also known as the Jack of All Trades.It takes more than just learning the technique of serving coffee and tea.Besides obtaining the knowledge required for your job,you also need the drive to learn all sorts of different cultures,excelling in PR skills,good in persuading and convincing,excellent in Math skills coz everything that revolves around you screams numbers,and last but not least to be a great unlicensed beautician.We need to trick our body clock into thinking it is supposed to be asleep or awake,pamper our skin in our own way to avoid hydration,stuff ourselves with supplements and vitamins for energy and to look good,and finally prep our face skin with all sorts of products to maintain its vitality and radiance as a good foundation to be slapped on with makeup every other day.
Do all of the statements above sound fun?Do you still think it's easy to be a high-flyer?Can you still find the glitters and glamour in between the lines I've just typed above?Well,think again fellow readers.Being a stewardess is just as hard as what you're all doing right now,regardless if you're a doctor,an accountant,an engineer or even other non-professional positions.I'm telling you all these coz a friend of mine is gonna be joining the flying family soon.And I want to give him/her a heads up and reality check on flying life.It was never a bed of roses,and it won't magically turned into one.So dear friend,I hope you're overjoyed coz you're mentally and physically prepared for what's coming ahead of you,or perhaps bcoz you don't have a single clue.
Whatever it is,I wish you all the best of luck.Hope I didn't just shatter your bloody perfect illusion on how your life's gonna turned out to be.But if you survive,you'll be a human.A human who learns through the priceless experiences that money definitely can't buy =)
