I assumed it may be enjoyable to share a type of “day within the life” put up about my function as cabin supervisor. Someway it’s been greater than a 12 months since I did my coaching, and I used to be in a position to end my 6 month probation interval simply in time earlier than all flights obtained placed on maintain. So I assumed I’d provide you with a little bit of an thought of what my job entails now.
Let’s begin with earlier than the flight. The identical as after I was working in every other cabin, I would like to ensure my cabin bag is prepped and able to go, which suggests ensuring my waistcoat is clear and ironed, footwear are polished, and all different gadgets can be found. One extra step I’ve now could be charging my firm offered “KIS” pill. That is an HP pill which is given to the seniors (pursers and cabin supervisors) to be used on the flights, you possibly can test the entire passenger info in addition to a number of particulars about every particular vacation spot, all of our manuals and way more. Because of the pandemic, we’re presently not utilizing our waistcoats as we’re supplied with single use disposable robes, in addition to masks, gloves and a visor. Out of behavior I nonetheless pack my waistcoat, simply in case!
I’ve to reach at headquarters 2,5 hours previous to the flight departure time – that is a further half-hour for the supervisors and pursers. The remainder of the crew arrive 2 hours earlier than departure to begin the briefing. On this time the purser, different CSV’s and I focus on the flight. This ranges from checking if there are any particular passenger requests, any wheelchair clients (and if any of them may want the onboard cabin wheelchair), any station specifics (akin to recycling and separating cans in some locations) to seeing what number of particular meals we have now. At this level we’re additionally requested a “Secure Discuss” query, which may very well be associated to the plane sort, safety or medical. Now we have to reply one query accurately to be allowed to fly. We additionally be sure that to test the validity of every others paperwork – passport and licenses. If the purser has not pre-assigned our work positions, that is after we select them. That is at all times carried out by seniority, and regardless of now being a CSV for over a 12 months, I’m usually probably the most junior, so are usually in control of economic system. We do largely swap on the return sector of the flight, so I’ve loads of alternatives to work in enterprise class as nicely. The purser is in control of firstclass, so my days of serving caviar and 2008 Dom Perignon are over for now!
As soon as everybody else arrives, we break up up into our respective cabins and repeat the identical course of with the remainder of the crew – checking paperwork and asking a Secure Discuss questions, in addition to sharing flight info and setting expectations for the flight. As soon as we’ve completed our briefing, the pilots be a part of us to share the flight time, in addition to every other particulars we could must know, akin to anticipated turbulence.
Subsequent up all of us head downstairs to the bus bay, the place our crew bus is ready to take us to the plane. As soon as onboard, all of us head to our respective “station” – this implies whichever door you’re in control of that day. Today, we additionally accumulate our disposable robes and gloves! Throughout the time previous to passengers boarding, we have now to conduct a cleansing test, which I relay to the purser, in addition to a safety search if we’re exterior of Dubai. We additionally test all emergency tools is within the right place and is functioning accurately – issues akin to the fireplace extinguisher, transportable oxygen bottles, and emergency medical kits.
Roughly 45 minutes previous to the departure time, passengers are allowed to board, and because the CSV it’s as much as me to be on the door, checking boarding passes, greeting clients onboard and welcoming again our excessive valued Skywards members. As soon as the bottom employees tell us that each one passengers are onboard, I name my group in economic system or enterprise to allow them to know they will begin with the pre-departure service. My KIS pill must sync up with the purser’s and they’ll additionally cross on the PIL (passenger info record) which has any particular requests famous, akin to pre-ordered particular meals or clients who’ve booked a wheelchair.
As soon as everyone seems to be onboard, it’s time to get going! Boarding could be one of the hectic components of the flight, as usually individuals have a tendency to come back on with a number of baggage which must be put up into the hatrack, and typically there could be individuals who haven’t travelled a lot earlier than and wish help discovering their seats. We look ahead to the captain’s command to arm our doorways (this implies participating the slide raft – if there was an emergency and we wanted to open the door, the slide raft would open up) and ensure the cabin and galleys are safe and prepared for take off.
After take off, relying on the flight, we prepare for the service. This may very well be breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a variation of various snacks, relying on the time of departure and size of flight. One of many economic system crew members is in control of the galley, so I assist everybody with establishing the carts for the service. We additionally be sure that everyone seems to be joyful within the cabin right now.
As soon as the meals are heated, we get began with delivering the service. Because the supervisor, I must have an summary of what’s occurring within the cabin, so I additionally take a cart and serve clients, in addition to chatting and attending to know our passengers. Today it’s not fairly the identical, as not solely are we carrying our masks/robe/visor/gloves, passengers additionally should put on a masks, and typically the plane noise can drown out a dialog! We additionally attempt to minimise contact as a lot as attainable.
After the service, we dismantle the carts within the galley and get to have a bit break ourselves. Often at this level I’ll have some stories to write down (which is the place the KIS pill is available in) – issues akin to a buyer who requested a vegetarian meal which wasn’t loaded, or a TV which wanted to be reset. I then normally pop to enterprise or firstclass for a chat with the purser to allow them to understand how all the pieces goes, and make myself a espresso and a chunk to eat. If there’s leftover meals in enterprise class after the service, the crew are allowed to eat it! We even have crew meals which can be found for us.
For the rest of the flight we’re normally within the galley, answering any name bells, and taking it in turns to ship drinks and snacks within the cabin, in addition to checking that the bathrooms are saved clear. I attempt to pop into the flight deck a minimum of as soon as per flight to get to know the pilots – they don’t see an excessive amount of of us crew in any other case! After I labored in firstclass I’d spend way more time with the pilots as the primary class cabin was proper subsequent to the cockpit so I’d be caring for them, however now the economic system cabin is correct on the different finish of the airplane (it’s a protracted stroll …).
Relying on the flight we would have one other service, or if it’s a very lengthy one (ULR = extremely lengthy vary, akin to Australia or the US) we break up into shifts and have a break in our bunks to sleep. Earlier than lengthy it’s time to arrange the cabin for touchdown, and I would like to ensure all of the expectations I set out from the briefing have been met. Since we haven’t been hiring for some time, many of the crew are fairly skilled and know their jobs nicely, which makes mine even simpler.
After touchdown, we disarm the doorways, and the passengers disembark. We do a fast test of the cabin, which incorporates ensuring no person has left any essential gadgets behind (forgotten gadgets embody: passports, cell phones, obligation free baggage of pricy alcohol, laptops, DSLR cameras, suitcases, child) in addition to amassing the remaining blankets and headsets. Then it’s time to pack up our cabin baggage and get out of there!
As soon as we’re by customs within the airport, we decide up our suitcases and get on the crew bus to the resort. Or if the flight is a brief one, we get the cleaners onboard and turnaround and do it yet again! As soon as we arrive on the resort, we test in and head as much as our rooms. I’ve to “shut” the flight on my KIS pill, and as soon as that is carried out I can lastly loosen up and get out and benefit from the layover! (Or not, if there’s a pandemic…)
I hope you loved this little glimpse of my day at work, and I’m lengthy awaiting the return of regular flights and layovers!
P.s. Observe me on Instagram, Fb & Twitter for extra day-to-day updates of the place I’m on the earth! 🙂
