Inside Story - Cabin Crew



Julian

Age Range
26-35

Countries of Work
UK

Study and Career History
I studied Travel and Tourism at college then worked in a travel agency, worked in Spain as a Holiday Rep. Worked as Cabin Crew, then on a Cruise Ship as a Purser. Worked as Airline Check-in agent then back to Cabin Crew.

How long have you been doing the job?
10 Years.

Did you decide on your career path or did it all happen by accident?
All I ever wanted to do from being young was to travel and see the world. I was my happiest when I was on family trips to the zoo or beach or anywhere that involved a trip on a bus, car, boat or plane. After leaving school I studied travel and tourism at college for two years. My first job was in a travel agency where I stayed until I was lucky enough to land myself a job as a Holiday Rep in Spain. I did this job for 3 years then came back to the UK to join an airline as Cabin Crew. I spent 18 months flying short haul routes from the UK to Europe and the Mediterranean holiday destinations before I was made redundant in November 1992. In January 1993 I headed off to the Caribbean where I worked as a Purser on a Cruise Ship, I spent 3 months out there then returned, once again to the UK. I have been with my current employer since April 1993, working as check-in agent before returning to the skies as cabin crew on short-haul and now long-haul routes out of London.

How did you get your "Glamour Job" ?
It all kind of fell into place. The airline I was working for at the time got taken over, and after initially being made redundant, I was called back 6 months later, which is how I am where I am today!!!

What does the job involve?
Primarily the safety and well-being of passengers!

Describe a typical day at work.
I report one and a half hours before departure at the crew centre where we have a 15 minute pre-flight briefing, this is conducted by the Senior crew member. Topics covered include..... Safety and Emergency questions, crew working positions passenger loads, cabin service and any special requests. We then board a bus which takes us to the aircraft, we then carry out our safety checks and do the cabin preparations. Once all the passengers are on board we show a safety video which highlights procedures required in the event of an emergency. Once in the air we commence cabin service which consists of drinks, meals and duty free products. The shortest flight I do is 5 hours and the longest is 13 hours.... When we arrive at our destination we are taken to a hotel where we stay until we operate our flight home to the UK.
I report one and a half hours before departure at the crew centre where we have a 15 minute pre-flight briefing, this is conducted by the Senior crew member. Topics covered include..... Safety and Emergency questions, crew working positions passenger loads, cabin service and any special requests. We then board a bus which takes us to the aircraft, we then carry out our safety checks and do the cabin preparations. Once all the passengers are on board we show a safety video which highlights procedures required in the event of an emergency. Once in the air we commence cabin service which consists of drinks, meals and duty free products. The shortest flight I do is 5 hours and the longest is 13 hours.... When we arrive at our destination we are taken to a hotel where we stay until we operate our flight home to the UK.

What do you like most about the job?
The opportunity to visit many exotic locations around the world.

What don’t you like about your job – if anything?
Long night flights....

During your teenage years did you have much vocational guidance from school, university, family or friends? What was your biggest influence?
My biggest influence was and still is my mother. She is my best friend, we laugh,cry and fight together. She is my Rock!!!!!!!!!

If you took end of school examinations did you get exam results you were happy with from your education?
I left school when I was 15 and sat all the exams that I studied for and got all the required passes that I needed for college.

Do you think that what you studied in school or in your further education was right for the career you are in now? Any regrets?
Yes, but I wish that I could have studied more languages from an earlier age.

Have you taken further studies since leaving secondary or tertiary school. If yes, what did you study and why did you decide you needed more qualifications?
I went to college to study travel and tourism. I also went to night classes to take English and French, because I felt that I needed specific career related qualifications.

What was your first job?
Travel Agent.

What has been your most bizarre or challenging job to date?
Any job dealing with the general public from different nationalities on a front line face-to- face situation has to be the biggest challenge ever!!

What is your ultimate goal.... is this it, or do you have a pinnacle you have yet to reach?
Travel is my 'thing'. My Aspiration now is to present a travel and holiday programme!!

What are your top tips for personal success?
Determination and a belief in yourself !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Any comments?
If you have a dream or a goal, GO FOR IT, never take never for an answer. Anything is possible if you persevere

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Find out more about Julian, visit the website http://glamourjob.com/FA.asp