First Flight as Emirates Cabin Crew !

My first observational flight was going to MCT (Airport code for Muscat). It was going to be a short one hour flight going, and another hour coming back. We call it a turnaround- when you fly to the destination and head back to base again the same day.

I am not required to work here; I’m only to “observe” what the real thing was like. I had to learn what really happens on board, how the flight service goese, and how my duties are supposed to be executed. I had to learn from the current crew, and get the feel of what the job entails.


When we had our briefing ( a meeting of the cabin and flight deck crew before a flight ), I approached my purser (head cabin crew) and informed her that I was a SUPI - a first timer- and might mess up.

She greeted me enthusiastically, introduced me to everyone, and told me not to worry. It wasn’t about learning fast, but to enjoy the experience and absorb as much knowledge as I can. After all, experience requires time.

In the briefing room was an oval table with blue office chairs around it. The purser was at the end of the table with two SFS (senior flight stewards) flanking her side. Everyone looked so serious with their thick red manuals opened, and their faces buried in them. I sat at the far end and reviewed the safety and emergency procedures along with them.

“Hello everyone! Who is our supi for today?” bellowed the captain as he stormed in, with the first officer lagging behind him.

“It’s Janice.” Purser smiled.

“Hello captain,” I said as I hesitantly raised a hand.

“So you’re the baby eh? Everyone, please take care of her, make sure to teach her the good stuff. Don’t show her any wrong shortcuts that you guys got used to doing.”

There was a burst of giggles from the girls and some sly remarks accompanied by stomps on the ground from the guys. Ugh..

We carried on with the information exchange, what to expect of the flight and some important details about it. Then we went through immigration, and boarded a shuttle that was to take us to our aircraft.

I got to ride inside the cockpit for the take-off. Though the view was amazing, I felt bored. So when they asked me to come in again for landing, I politely refused, reasoning out that I could learn more if I stayed in the galley. Really now, I just wanted to stuff myself with chocolates from the crew meal.

It was an easy flight because I didn't do anything. I just helped out with the service so I could learn a bit. I’d rather make mistakes now than later.

After the flight, I dragged myself to my bed, and slept early for my next supi flight to IST (Istanbul, Turkey); another turnaround, which was then changed later to RUH (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).

The flight to RUH was easy than expected, the same flight time as MCT. I was with a fellow supi this time, who was also my classmate back in training college. It made it all better knowing I was with someone to be blamed for in case of mishaps. Haha.

Now, I have to prep up for my operational flights. This time, it’s real.. and the pain will be intense. Nothing exists in the sky but me, the passengers, and some silly bird’s poop on captains window.

Emirates Graduation and Celebration

Our class decided to go on this safari as a last hurrah together before finally getting separated and flying to all parts of the globe. I was really excited to ride a camel and experience the Arabian night dream.

We took this shuttle, going out of Dubai and into the edge of the desert, where we switched into four-wheel drives that could take on the harshest dunes.

We had the craziest driver ever! I was shrieking all the way- around and through the dunes. It was so funny to see myself letting lose of all the fears and troubles I had as we dove into sand drops- getting almost buried in the middle of nowhere.

It felt like a very long roller coaster ride as we finally stopped on a very high slope where we could see a panoramic view of the Arabian Desert and the majestic sunset melting into a mellow gold beyond the horizon.

It was fantastic. I felt that the world was mine for the taking- just me and the sand bugs.

Then we settled into this sort of camp where tall branches were used as forts. Just outside were camels waiting for our butts on their humps! Yeah!

They had cute faces – like puppies. But I heard they bite,so they had this muzzle on, and I just felt so sad for them.

When do I get to ride ‘em?! haha

When I made the attempt to hop on camel’s back, it gave a long grunt which triggered doubt whether I should still go on or not. But even before I could get a grasp of what was going on, the camel immediately stood up and walked in reverse! I was freaking out! I never knew it was so high up sitting on these animals! There were no seatbelts! It was extremely uncomfortable knowing I could fall off anytime, what with the rough terrain and the unpredictable behaviour of these creatures,I was hanging on for dear life!

It was a short merry-go-round but it felt like an hour to me. I stood there for awhile beside the camels trying to catch my breath, when I realized, I was stepping on camel poop! All the while I thought it was plant produce! Gaaah!

Finally, we settled down on this huge carpeted area with low tables all around. We watched a belly dancer bare the essentials as we ate our dinner- Arabian style.

…truly an unforgettable Arabian night.

Emirates Airlines Service Training

They said that this was the best part of training;
I thought otherwise.

Firstly, I have no clue what on earth Vermouth is ..or Cognac.. or Beefeater..

Secondly, I'm no good with talking calmly to people whose heads I'd gladly smack with a tray without hesitation.

Glad to say it’s over.

We had to learn all about serving passengers, dealing with their requests and complaints, and explaining to them why they can’t smoke in the lavatory. Basically, we learn to pretend “slave and master” while exuding image of the latter.

In one of our many mock-up scenarios, I get to pretend to be a mother to a hideously frowning doll, which was supposed to be my precious baby. I was to observe the class one week ahead of us, how to deal with special passengers on board, and asses them on how they would treat me and my child during the flight.

“awww..cute baby.. would you need a bassinet? Would you like some baby food? Does your baby need milk?”

They could have won Oscars for their performance.

Yes -baby was happy, mother was happy- they pass.

For my final mock-up test, I was to deal with a mourning passenger whose husband just died and looking for some time away from the chaotic world that she has to deal with now... alone. Poor me running around the galley, figuring out where the hell was Al Maha resort and why I couldn’t go in the business class cabin to get magazines to show her the picture.

Good thing I passed everything though. Finally I get to graduate from training and leave the college behind. Surely I’ll miss the cafeteria. *sigh*

Emirates Airlines Medical Training

We just finished our Medical Response Training.

It was difficult to stop yawning and falling asleep when listening to the lectures. Some of the terms that were used were beyond my comprehension. Of course, it was very useful information – I just wish it could have been a little more lively and realistic. I would have loved to visit hospitals and respond to emergency situations where I could see blood everywhere. LOL.

Doing the mock up situations where we had to deal with passengers having different kind of illnesses was kind of lethargic in my expectation of the training. I was ready to cut some bones! See some fractures! Bury a dead guy! LOL. I sound insane.

It was fascinating though, how my confidence in assessing signs and symptoms of sicknesses increased tenfold in just a week. Now I know how to respond to passengers having angina, heart attack, diabetes, anaphylactic shocks, seizures, and such. I can also deliver a baby now, as we were also thought what to do in case of birth on board. I would love to put it to good use someday!

I’d also like to document the stupid thing I did in my practical exam. I was doing the CPR, when my thumb nail bent backwards, tearing up my nail bed, causing blood to pool around my cuticle. The pain was unbelievable. Then I started to rant why Emirates didn’t want us to have short nails. Others wondered why I was fussing about my nail so much when it was only a small wound. Gee, I wondered how they’d feel when they have their nails torn away from their fingers. You wouldn’t have noticed it, my blood had dried up around my finger, blending in with the fire red nail polish I had on. Argh!

Oh, before I forget, let me tell you about what happened before the medical training. We had to go through one day of security training where we had self defense class. The trainer was a former UAE national team coach. He thought different kind of martial arts, but he only thought us basic self defense- where we had to use pressure points to tackle down a disruptive passenger. LOL. Funny day.

But it’s all good now. Finished! Next week we’re starting with Service training.

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.

Emirates Airlines Induction Week

Day 1

6:30 early morning, I was fidgeting in my seat as I waited for the shuttle to come pick us up. I sensed there weren’t much new trainees with me as my eyes wandered across the accommodation lobby, filtering the older batches from the newcomers. Everyone was in uniform, with their trolleys beside them. It was just this one girl wearing a corporate attire-just as I was- amidst the sea of Emirates ladies and gentlemen. As I came to know later, this girl who approached me was Thai. And she became the first friend I have in my accommodation.

Emirates Aviation College is beautiful. The exterior had this grand feeling, like being welcomed inside a prestigious university. The interior, however, is more reminiscent of a contemporary office building with a high ceiling lobby and mezzanine floors where the classrooms were located. I estimated around 50 people waiting around the reception area, were 3 of my Filipina friends also crowded. We were all brought down to the college basement, were we had to be immediately fitted into our uniforms. We were measured, given our company luggage, and tried on shoe sizes. We were then rushed into a classroom were we had orientation and some introductions.

We were divided into 3 group classes, or what we call Abinitio. I was separated from 2 of my Filipina friends, but It was good that Maylin was also in my abinitio. We had a first look of the college cafeteria, with a stunning view of Dubai and the city golf centre. And it was the first time we all got together as multi-cultural people in one abinitio, all 15 of us.

Day 2

I came to the college wearing complete uniform. I was delighted to wear the Emirates hat even though I wasn’t sure how to do it properly. Today was grooming day and we were taught how to care for our skin, do our make-up, our hair, our nails, and even posture and fitness. We were all taught how to become the perfect Emirates lady that is in the image of the public.

You could hear a pin drop in the room as we all positioned our hats. There weren’t much to say, but you would have been able to see the pride of the women radiating in there- all perfectly poised and polished, their famous Emirates hat commanding attention and projecting authority.

Day 3

As we made our way out into the public’s eye, on our way to the clinic building located elsewhere in Dubai, I felt euphoric to be with such a prestigious company. There we were, perfectly groomed in our uniform like we were taught, trotting down the halls of the building; people would come out of their offices just to see this new breed of Emirates ladies walk together. They were smiling, taking pictures, and even waving at us. I felt a little silly in all honesty. LOL.

Day 4

We were given a tour of what Emirates is really like as a company; the growth of Dubai, the vision of its leaders, their hopes and dreams of Emirates Airlines for the future. The more I came to know of the company, the more I understood my place in their vision. Of course this is just gibberish to some, but somehow I was glad to know that I’m part of it.

Day 5

We met our trainers today. A funny duo that turns boring lectures into lively discussions. We started with Basic aeronautics and went on with Safety and Emergency procedures.

Let the pain begin. LOL.

My Departure to Dubai

My flight to Dubai was quite amusing. It came to me as a shock when we left earlier than expected. Our aircraft started to taxi down the runway a little past after midnight. And I felt giddy more than ever.

A few hours before departure, I was clinging to Ben, trying to relish the last few minutes I had with him. He bought me some chocolate drinks - which I gulped down in mere seconds. I remembered, the last time we were in the departure area, I was holding back tears, wishing not to go. This time though, I felt different. I was more aware of my situation, of what I was embarking on. I was, in a way, more prepared than I could have ever been. This time, I wanted this to happen.

Having 3 new colleagues with me on board, I felt more confident and ready to take on Emirates. I tried to absorb the working conditions inside the cabin, and took note of the plane interior. And like a friend said, you could really feel the difference. This was after all, Emirates. Aside from the excellent entertainment system they had, the lighting was extremely soothing to the senses. It was a play of colours, changing dramatically from blue to green to yellow to orange to pink… and so on. The ceiling even sported tiny lights of varying sizes, trying to reflect the night sky outside. Only, the seats could have been a little bigger.

For real entertainment, the touch screen I had in front of me detailed a list of all the things I could do. WELCOME TO ICE, It said. ICE stood for Information, Communication, and Entertainment. I watched cartoons just to lighten my mood. Halfway though, I got sleepy and dozed off until they served snacks. The crew gave us a menu of what was available. I chose the cold selection which consisted of roast beef, cheddar cheese, chicken drumstick, creamy pasta salad (placed on buttered wholemeal bread) and garnished with black olive and tomato wedge. There was also a coconut and sago pudding with tapioca served with tea or coffee. The picture I took of this meal did not do it justice. It was yummy!

After dozing off again, I woke up to breakfast. I failed to take a picture because I was extremely groggy to even know where my camera was. LOL. I had fresh fruits and Daing na Bangus. The latter is a Filipino dish which is milkfish with lemon butter sauce served with garlic fried rice. For the sides, it also had eggplant, tomato wedge and longanisa sausage. For dessert, it was cinnamon raisin roll and a croissant served with butter and preserves. I decided to skip the coffee and had apple juice instead. Breakfast was heaven!

Just when we were about to land, a male cabin crew member approached us and confirmed if we were the newly hired flight attendants. He had this amused smile on his face like he was the first to know it. Maybe he was just as excited for us when he gave us pens and timetables.

Stepping out of the plane for the first time in Dubai, the cold air immediately stung my lungs and made me quiver. It was near dawn when we reached the terminal via a shuttle bus, and I thawed inside where it was toasty warm. Even while balancing with two carry-on luggage, I could have fallen asleep where I was standing if I allowed myself to.

As informed, we met with a marhaba, a lady greeter wearing yellow vests and gray skirts. We were then asked to wait for a few minutes for the other newly hired air hostesses to arrive. Not a moment too long, a strikingly beautiful blonde girl appeared, strutting in her killer boots with this lovely sleek ensemble. She was French, of course. We were then joined by four Thai girls who flew from Hong Kong.

We were directed to the Marhaba lounge were we met with an HR officer, who I assumed to be Kenyan. She asked for our documents and gave each of us manila envelopes. It dictated where our accommodations were and some information about the upcoming induction day.

It was unfortunate that I and my new friends were not going to live in the same building. I didn’t know Emirates had so many residential areas scattered around Dubai. My place was far from the others who were mostly dropped off at the city centre. However, I found my new place nice and clean. I have a Filipina housemate who I have to share the common rooms with, but we get to have our own bedroom and bathroom. She wasn’t there though when I arrived, and I have yet to meet her because she’s on a layover. It didn’t take very long for me to adapt to my new home. I’ve even taken a liking to my bedroom. I feel extremely comfortable in it as if I’ve had this kind of sanctuary before.

There were these packages waiting for me in my bedroom. It was a starter pack containing some kitchen utensils, bed linens, and cleaning materials. I also had this food pack which was really helpful. I was hungry, and I got to eat some before I unpacked my things.

Everything seemed to occur like that in a dream. Either I’m insensitive for not missing Manila already, or I’ve just very well accepted Dubai as my 2nd home.