I’ve decided to add some insight on why I left Emirates so that hearsay, rumors or blatant lies do not circulate among wannabe crew and cabin crew alike. Also because, Emirates Airline is apparently taking liberties and using my name as an example not to follow for use of social networks, general use of internet and sharing work related information practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let me put things straight here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contrary to popular belief, Airboy (aka Sodwee, aka Ben) has long left the position of Cabin Crew for Emirates Airline. In fact its coming close to 3 years since I left Dubai, UAE and moved back to Paris, France.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why you must ask…<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Well I fell pretty ill (fever, cold sweat and multiple other symptoms) during a layover in Shanghai, China. Took the unforgivable liberty to operate the return leg and avoid hassle with crew complement \/ scheduling and the consequences the contrary would of caused. Not to mention the bad record you start having upon returning to base with my line manager.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Got myself checked at the EK clinic, came out of there 4 minutes later with a few Panadol tablets and with the confirmation I was “fit to fly<\/strong>” when I knew I clearly wasn’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So I called sick for the next flight. And again, and again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I already had quite an itchy relationship with my manager for simply being a ‘travel blogger’ even when I wasn’t “putting Emirates, Dubai or the Sheikh in a bad light” – as I was told one early morning after security\/customs checkpoint at crew departures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So I’m pretty sure she jumped (or was forced to, not quite sure…) on the opportunity of my sickness record going down the road to push every button possible to get me sidelined. She eventually managed to get me so worked up that I finally couldn’t cope with the stress. Having me do red-eyes, back-2-backs and deliberately scheduling appointments with her sorry self to look at attendance statistics on her computer screen, the “welfare” department or various other activities like “talks” for costly “meals on wheels” with a nutrition specialist (who’s a crew himself might I add)… While I was supposed to rest, have a day off and heal that nasty virus. Nope, she saw fit I was in EGHQ at the break of dawn doing all of that… Needless to say I was in pretty ugly state at the end, friends and colleagues have witnessed and can attest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyways, it went on. Got a few absents, more sick days and my general health was worsening. I had abnormal movements starting to appear in limbs, to the point where serving myself an orange juice was increasingly difficult, was gradually feeling more and more tired, non-stop and really couldn’t fly. I asked for some time off, emergency leave, even offering to take the remaining leave I had to try and treat the condition I was in. She had none of it and couldn’t see past her own interest : GET A PROMOTION.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was admitted to the American Hospital in Dubai after a turnaround flight to Nairobi, Kenya that didn’t go as planned. Was close to fainting point, couldn’t see clear, and my right arm, right leg and head were all over the place, I was shaking and had to deadhead back. Was finally in hospital, but not before being questioned, FBI style that ghastly morning. I was cornered in a dark debriefing room (interrogation cubicle more like) with three seniors to answer to : The acting Duty Officer, my Purser and my SFS. “Did you take any substances ? Do you have substances on you ? Why are you flying like that ?” and many other questions shot my way… I was pale white and in desperate need of some sleep. It was hell. Couldn’t think straight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I had to call sick from my hospital bed, each and every day as ordered by that daft woman : my manager. She turned sour that day when she got the news of me being in hospital. And forever since, remained the same un-phased robot behind her desk on the dreaded 3rd floor open space of Emirates Group Headquarters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Needless to mention, the Dubai healthcare being what it is, even with a premium insurance and what not, wouldn’t cover the costs of an extended stay there. So came the time to make a decision. Stay in Dubai, face a huge ass bill for medical “care”, face the wrath of my Cabin Crew Manager, and face the possibility of being handed not one, not two but three warnings, thus putting my sorry-self on the firing line or simply resign, get free, quality treatment in France and above all, some much-needed rest, TLC and attention from the Parentals ??<\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, the answer is quick to figure out<\/strong>. I RESIGNED. Much to my CCM’s surprise (or lack of in fact). I simply walked in her 3rd floor open space cubicle, overlooking the runways of DXB airport one morning, in shorts, classy t-shirt, flip-flops and iPod screwed on loud (you’re usually not allowed to dress that way, but that day and for the sake of my despair I did, I truly couldn’t be arsed)… She started with the attendance statistics scenario… My eyes rolled and stopped her right through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “I’m here to resign” did I say. Without a flick on an eye-lid, nor a word, she got up, went over to her assistant, mumbled a few words and came back with the Letter of Resignation, copied twice. I read, signed both, and walked off the same way I came in. The less I saw of her, the better I felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I felt such a relief. But knew I only had two weeks to get the fuck out of there. So I did after being forced to hand over my passport for a week instead of the usual 2 days. I wonder why, still (*sigh*).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyways. I’m here, in France now, with a treatment for this apparently rare condition…<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many have asked how to join the company as Cabin Crew, many questions. I’ll try my best to answer them in ONE post. I’ll try to give a detailed chronology of how you could get a job working for Emirates, but that is only based on my experience so far. There’s probably other ways to join but I’ll go for the most common one, the one that applies to any wannabees out there. I’ll also try to design some sort of chart to be even clearer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, the first questions you ask yourself BEFORE joining ANY airline company, targeting a Cabin Crew\/flight attendant job are :<\/p>\n\n\n\n There’s a lot more to add, but if the answers to those few questions is negative, then I think you should reconsider your aim. Otherwise you can move on and read the rest !<\/p>\n\n\n\n Those aren’t the only questions but if the answer is yes to all of those, then you have the kind of profile airline companies are looking for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ok, so we’ve been through the first screening, or “self-screening”. Many screenings are to come in the future of your application with Emirates. The next step is to apply for an Open Day\/Assessment Day with the airline. Those Open Days are regularly held in major cities where Fly Emirates operates. Held around twice a year depending on the country, this can vary and I won’t be able to give you any information towards that. I went to the Open Day in Paris last year and I will base this breakdown on the stages I’ve been through. I think it’s the same procedure everywhere with little differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNow you can read on to the original post you came to read in the first place :<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Here’s what my flat looked liked :<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n