Emirates Airlines Safety and Emergency Training

Beforehand, we were already informed on how intense the training would be because of the amount of knowledge we have to absorb in 2 weeks. It was true that we had so much to learn in a short amount of time, but I liked the intensity of it all. It kept my blood pumping and I enjoyed every minute of it. My class was wonderful and my trainers were absolutely divine. I never could have imagined anything better. We had to study basic aeronautics, and how to deal with any kind of emergencies, focusing on turbulence, decompression, and fire. We also had to study everything about the Boeing and Airbus fleet of Emirates, its interior & exterior equipments, its operations and procedures for safety and security. The data we had to remember by heart was overwhelming. We had examinations everyday and major ones at the end of each week. We had to pass everything or we don’t get our licenses to fly. And because studying everything by the book was difficult without any kind of visual stimulus, it was refreshing for me to experience “real emergencies” inside the flight simulators. I can’t put into words how much fun I had doing the drills and practical exams. It was like playing in an amusement park!
It was remarkable how the interior of the flight simulators resembled the real one. The “cabin” was even equipped with windows that were actually TV screens showing what was to be the outside condition of the aircraft. So when we had the take-off, I could really feel the push back, the taxi on the runway, and the stomach-churning climb of the plane. I looked out the window and the monitor showed the wing of the aircraft, with the runway getting smaller as we climbed to a higher altitude. It would also show if we were flying over the sea, the mountains, or even the desert. It was like being inside a real plane. Even when we had the pretend engine problem and emergency landing, I could see fire on the over wing engine through the “window”. I was thrilled. It was also inside this flight simulator that I experienced turbulences- the weak and strong ones; and what decompression was really like - how the cabin would look when all the oxygen masks drop down. While I was doing the service to the “pretend passengers”, this happened, and I was frantic to grab one as I wedged the cart and strapped myself to the nearest seat. But I think I had the most fun fighting the fire. I’d see fire inside the toilet, or the overhead stowage, and smoke would be coming out and filling the cabin. “I need back up!”, I’d scream as I run quickly towards the fire with the extinguisher on hand. I love putting out the fire. LOL The slide were we had to “evacuate” from was very steep. But I wasn’t going to show any sign of hesitation so I went on with it. I just held my breath and screamed all the way down. I did not like ditching (crash landing on water) at all. The water was extremely cold. They had to make it the same temperature as the ocean. It was like melted ice. I thought I was going to die of hypothermia! To think that I still had the strength to pull myself up the raft! I’m so glad it’s over. Phew! I had so much Fun with my SEP training. I know I’m going to miss my trainers very much! I wish I could repeat it.

Nah, I just wish I could stay with my entire class for as long as I could. They’ve become like a family to me. I really am having a great time here in Emirates. I don't have regrets yet.