“The Ugly Truth”

 

It’s a lazy afternoon in Jo-burg. After bagging a few great home-made wines, it is now time to relax before heading out to have dinner at the Meat Company. This is a great destination where all the crew make a point to go out together and enjoy the delicacies of Southern Africa.

On our way here, it was very bumpy and as severe turbulence was expected, we were asked to take our jump seats for safety. However as usual, the passengers merely live in a safe dream of the plane dancing through the clouds.

 

So we were hanging there amongst an agitated crowd of hungry people. Sometimes I wonder why my flights tend to get too dramatic. When I just started flying I was so excited to fly over all the destinations, meet new people, it was a great new discovery on-board every day. But with time, I just got immune to the characteristics, people, and culture of the flights. 

 

The truth is 90% of the people come on board having their own stereotypical description of an airhostess; flirtatious, thick headed, waitress serving tea coffee or themselves 30,000ft above.

 

For an instance, once a father travelling with his 10 year old, points at a male crew member, and said “You know son, if you don’t go to college everyday this is what is going to happen to you!” as if being air crew is the worst possible career choice that his son should chose in future.

 

This crew member, who had attended a top notch university in Law and  just joined the airline to travel the world retorted “Yes son, if you don’t go to college everyday you’ll be sitting in economy class just like your dad!” Smart save from a crew point, but too arrogant for a male trolley-dolly from a passenger point of view.

 

What passengers don’t know is behind this glamorous airline uniforms, air crew are also highly capable individuals.

 

The truth is that air crew are trained individuals to save lives, safeguard in case of an emergency and of course to conduct the services to keep passengers well fed and hydrated on air. And if there is a major air disaster, crew are the only trained source a passenger could rely on as an aircraft has to be evacuated within 90 seconds.  Not anyone or everyone will last in this job, as it requires so much emotional labour, emotional intelligence and critical awareness.

 

Our societies have set up the so called hierarchy in career choices; Doctor, Lawyer, Accountant, Pilot and an Air Hostess is down at the bottom of that. It is a matter of respect I believe. People not being able to give and receive it back.

 

However when I look outside the window right now and see the sun setting over beautiful South Africa, I feel at peace. I have travelled so far and of-course free of charge! I have seen the breath taking aerial views of the Himalayas, Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans.

 

I have been given a celebrity treating at the airports around the world; where people quickly snap a picture or two as we walk as a bunch in the airline uniforms. Plus it has earned me a free degree in social anthropology. Yes I do serve tea and coffee and if you are nice to me, even a hot chocolate with a smile, but I say proudly, it is indeed a perk to be working 38000 feet above ground, right at the top! 

 

 

 

 

Love, Dany.