I know many people are curious of our job nature and even personal life. Everybody has its own feeling or impression about one thing. It's called stereotype. For example, when I tell someone I’m flight attendant, the first question they ask probably is which airline you work for. Then will ask how long I work for it. And then probably is ‘Are there many captains on passengers hitting on you?’ (I don’t know if other colleagues are being asked. Honestly I heard so many times from my friends, my boyfriend as well)
Now I'm going to answer this question and it will disappoint you guys. Actually having something with cockpit crews is really seldom happens in our life. (At least my life:p)
WE ONLY RESPECT CAPTAINS
In my company, most of the captains, who are very senior, have worked for different airlines for more than 20 years.They already have a beautiful family with children and grandchildren. so we only RESPECT captains as part of our team. If you ask me how about First officer or the most junior Second officer as they are younger. The answer can be 'Maybe", the chance is higher but still not going to happen.
WE DON'T SEE EACH OTHER VERY OFTEN DURING THE FLIGHT
Before flight, we have to greet every cockpit crews( regional flight- 2/3 crews; long-haul flight:4 crews max). Actually we can’t really remember their faces in a short time. It’s even harder for them to remember 9 to 14 cabin crews with Asian faces (depends which type of aircraft) as well. During the flight, we won't see each other except the purser or senior purser. They are the one to serve them meal and stay in cockpit for cockpit crews’ toilet break. (the rule is there are always 2 flight crews inside cockpit. If one of them want a toilet break, his place should be replaced by a cabin crew until he comes back. It's optional for the airlines to follow. I know some european airlines they don't so it's ok to only have one flight crew inside.)
After flight, cockpit crews will leave aircraft earlier than us.( We have to do after landing check). Normally they just say goodbye through inter phone. So you imagine 3-4 hour extremely busy and full load short flight, we don't even have time to go toilet and have our food, How hard is it to talk to them? How about long haul flight? Maybe. But also quite difficult to make it happen. Because every flight is absolutely full and WE ARE SO BUSY TO SERVE PASSENGERS DRINKS SNACKSand CUPNOODLES esp when half of crews are taking rest.
(Exactly describing the things happen before flight. Briefing is the only time we can see each other indeed)
LAZY TO GO OUT AT THE OUTPORTS
You may say you guys have nothing during short flight. How about long haul flight? You guys have your own hotel room and can hang out at outport. First, I have to clarify that us and cockpit crews ALWAYS have different flight patterns.For example, we arrive London on the same day, but they normally just stay one night then they have to operate other flight back to Hong Kong. But for cabin crew, we can stay longer. But usually we have our own schedule and plans. Sometimes cockpit crews may ask for a quick lunch/dinner outside after check in. but SO EXHAUSTED. I (maybe just me?)prefer to take a quick shower, unpack the things,text my family and boyfriend, then jump into the bed and sleep. Some cockpit crews may ask us out together, probably just because they are still quite new and not familiar with the area the hotel is. If you are interested in one of the cockpit crews, this is a good chance and please go ahead.
WE ARE DIFFERENT BASES
Most of the cockpit crews are from different countries and even are not Hong Kong based crews - LAX/ YVR/SFO base etc. It’s extremely hard for you guy meet again in the next flight unless you keep flying to his base port. Otherwise, No way! In this situation, if you still can fall in love with them, congratulations. It means you guys is okay with the long-distance relationship. I’m happy for you. It’s not for me if I can choose. It is so tiring and insecure.
Actually still have lots of reasons why it's pretty hard to work out with flight crews. Of course there are still some beautiful love stories between cabin and flight crews and they have a very happy family now. So never say never. Just telling your guys the facts that I know. Haha =)
Anything about my flying life you wanna know, please feel free to ask =) Have a good day all my friends <3
Love,
Gladys
P.S Pics from Jetlaggedcomic. Super awesome !!
Please follow me @gladysmak if you wanna know more joys or hardships about my flying life.
Introduce myself -
https://steemit.com/life/@gladysmak/you-re-beautiful-my-friends
My flying life -
https://steemit.com/life/@gladysmak/how-cool-is-it-to-be-a-flight-attendant
Excellent post. An interesting look from behind the scenes. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Michael. I'm happy I wrote this funny post too.
Thanks for sharing, this offers some interesting insight to a flight attendants job.
Thank you @susanne <3
Do you guys always keep the good ice-creams and have it out-of-sight? lol
Kevin, the answer is no. Sometimes we want one too but we will give all to passengers! What flavor you like most? normally we just have vanilla and chocolate chips. strawberries sometimes. LOL
I forgot which flight I was on a while ago when I overhead flight-attendants talking about stashing the secret premium ice-cream. Or maybe they were just messing with me :) And yea, all I got is vanilla and choc chips. I bet the more premium one is choc with choc chips haha, because choc > vanilla quite simply..
Ah I see! We sometimes have extra ice-creams from premium economy class that's true. I don't know if they stash those back home. It's a secret shuuuuu LOL. But you know what. only vanilla flavor is served for our lovely passengers sitting in premium economy class haha
No wonder I never get those.. lol. Thanks for clarifying :)
Great post, thank you!
thank you @bluehorseshoe =)
Do you have lots of friends in different countries?
Yes @goblin. I have some friends from different countries. So good for me to have the best local tourist guides around the world;)