Issue #1 June 2015
5 Simple Ways For Cabin Crew To Disconnect & Enjoy 15 Minutes Of 'Me Time'
Carmen
A glimpse at her face leaves you baffled for a few seconds
VIP Cabin Crew Interview What To Expect During The Practical Assessment
What Does The Future Hold For The Cabin Crew Industry In The Gulf? Issue #1 June 2015
THINKING OF BECOMING CABIN CREW? Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
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Message From The Editors We started our aviation journey as commercial cabin crew for one of the major airlines in the Middle East and gradually progressed into the field. From business class crew to purser to VIP cabin crew to managing, training and recruiting our VIP cabin crew teams, it has been an incredible adventure with hard work, great fun, unforgettable experiences and plenty of lessons learned and it isn't anywhere near ending.
Becoming Cabin Crew Was One Of The Best Decisions We Ever Made & We Want To Give Back To The Field That Has Given Us So Much As a new added feature to our platform, the Cabin Crew Excellence magazine is made for and about cabin crew. Our contributors are new or experienced cabin crew and come together to bring back the glamour, the knowledge and excitement in the profession and outside of it. We hope you love reading it as much as we love creating it.
If you dream of becoming Cabin Crew, or you're already flying and want to become VIP Cabin Crew, choose excellence! Cabin Crew Excellence aims to support individuals of all experience levels to reach their cabin crew goals. The higher the goals, the better! www.cabincrewexcellence.com | The World’s No#1 Resource For Cabin Crew All Contents Within This Publication & The Website www.cabincrewexcellence.com Is Copy Right Protected & Owned by Cabin Crew Excellence Copy Right - Disclaimer - Terms Of Use
The Story Of Monica & Simona: How We Reached The Top Of The Aviation Industry
25 Years Of Experience Later, Our Love Affair With The Skies Is Stronger Than Ever
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What Does The Future Hold For The Cabin Crew Industry In The Gulf?
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Cabin Crew Quiz: Do You Have What Its Takes To Be An Excellent Cabin Crew
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Thinking Of Becoming Cabin Crew? Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
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Cabin Crew In Focus: Carmen
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5 Simple Ways For Cabin Crew To Disconnect & Enjoy 15 Minutes Of 'Me Time'
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VIP Cabin Crew: What To Expect During The Practical Assessment
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Recruitment Calendar: Open & Assessment Days From Around The Globe
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What Does The Future Hold For The Cabin Crew Industry In The Gulf?
What Does The Future Hold For The Cabin Crew Industry In The Gulf? The airline industry continues to grow with commercial carriers such as Etihad, Emirates or Qatar Airways constantly renewing or adding airplanes to their existing fleet so they can service, with the utmost comfort, their ever-expanding networks.
“Low cost carriers are also rapidly catching up and making the market more competitive than ever� To remain attractive and retain the loyalty of their passengers, the only differentiating factor between all airlines is the level of customer service provided, with the main focus being on the cabin crew themselves.
Image Courtesy Of Qatar Airways
In this case, it is no surprise that airlines have become even stricter during their cabin crew selection processes and the 5 to 10% that actually get offered a job are literally handpicked by expert recruitment teams travelling all over the world to scout for the perfect cabin crews. The question is: Do you have what it takes to be among the chosen ones? Click Here To Find Out >>
Image Courtesy Of Etihad Airways
Image Courtesy Of Fly Dubai
Image Courtesy Of Emirates Airlines
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Thinking Of Becoming Cabin Crew, Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
THINKING OF BECOMING CABIN CREW? ts c a r n t ne d o C s e ai i l r p a x l S a efit s E n e B & Every airline has different contracts with various different guidelines, structures, salaries, benefits and regulations depending on the country they operate in. However, we have detailed below some of the most common denominators you will find for an entry-level cabin crew package.
The Contract
Before offering a working contract, most airlines will seek references potentially going back 3 – 5 years, so make sure you have strong individuals in good professional positions who can vouch for you. You will also need to pass your medical exam with a doctor or clinic nominated by the airline as well as your initial training, usually 4 to 7 weeks long. Your working contract as a new starter can be between 6 months to 2 years, however if you are working for an airline who has relocated you abroad, they will most likely have the strongest intentions to keep you indefinitely since you are an investment for the airline. As part of the contract, you will have a probationary period to complete before the employment agreement is set in stone. Probationary periods tend to be 3 to 6 months long.
The Salary
Starting package for new cabin crew is approximately $24,000 per annum. The full package can include other financial benefits, besides the basic salary, such as: • • •
Issue #1 June 2015
Per Diem (a daily meal allowance generally paid when crew lay over in other cities than their home base) Pay per block hour (a set rate paid to cabin crew for each flying hour) Inflight sale commissions (percentage from the inflight duty-free sales)
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Thinking Of Becoming Cabin Crew, Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
The Per Diem for commercial cabin crew differs depending on the cost of living in the destination they are flying to. Because it is supposed to cover their meal expenses when away from base, it is generally higher in Europe, USA, Japan or Russia and lower in Southeast Asian countries. If you consider joining one of the major airlines in the Middle East or the Gulf region (Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, Etihad, Saudi Airlines), your package will include additional benefits like free medical insurance, free transportation for work-related duties or free accommodation in the country of the airline’s home base.
The average earnings of junior cabin crew flying for these airlines are Qatar Airways: basic $1000 + per diem (on layovers) + block hour pay Emirates Airlines: basic $1100 + per diem (when flying) + block hour pay Etihad Airways: basic $900 + per diem (on layovers) + block hour pay Saudi Airlines: basic $850 + per diem (on layovers) + block hour pay If You Want To Learn How To Get A Job As Cabin Crew Click Here >>
Once you get your wings and have flown for at least a couple of years, you can move up the ranks depending on your performance and the rate of the airline’s business growth. Senior commercial cabin crew starting salary can reach $35,000 per annum.
If you are fortunate enough to progress to VIP or Corporate Cabin C re w, p a c k a g e s c a n e x c e e d $70,000 per annum on average In addition, VIP cabin crew can get up to 50% more time off than commercial airline crew members as the schedule for the private sector is on a rotation basis. Most VIP operators understand that a happy workforce is an efficient workforce and that the high level of dedication and effort provided by a VIP cabin crew can only be sustained for limited periods of time without reward. VIP cabin crew tend to have patterns of 2-months work/1-month off or even 1-month work/1month off. If you're already flying and want to step up to VIP Cabin Crew Then Click here >> 8 Issue #1 June 2015
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Thinking Of Becoming Cabin Crew, Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
Uniforms: Most airlines will pay for your uniforms, however some airlines might expect you to cover the cost of the uniform, which will be deducted from your salary in small monthly instalments. Commissions: Some airlines will pay their cabin crew attractive commissions for any food & beverage (applicable in low cost airlines) or duty free products sold in-flight. This is an added bonus that motivates crew to sell more, a win-win situation for both the cabin crew and the airline. Languages: If you are considering applying for a European commercial airline, it is good to know that most major carriers (Lufthansa, KLM, Swissair, etc.) require their cabin crew to speak the national language of the airline or even to be a legal resident of the country the airline is based in. Furthermore, airlines in the Middle East sometimes offer a separate allowance for cabin crews who can speak other languages besides English. In addition, you might get assigned to operate flights as a language speaker to the country whose language you speak (e.g. if you speak Italian, you will most likely find yourself going to Italy quite often).
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Thinking Of Becoming Cabin Crew, Salaries Contracts & Benefits Explained
The Benefits
Besides the financial package itself, there are many other benefits for cabin crew working for a major airline. Here are some of the most common benefits you can look forward to: • You get to travel the world while being paid for it • Tax-free salary • Discounted airline tickets for yourself, your family and friends • International medical insurance • Paid annual vacation • Maternity leave (depending on each airline’s policy) • Free accommodation and transportation or allowances to cover the costs • Discount on Duty Free products in major airports across the world
The Conclusion
Being involved in this profession for so many years, we can say it is just as packed with challenges as it is with rewards and opportunities. If you do it long enough, it becomes more than a job, it opens your horizons wider than any other job we can think of and offers great opportunities for career progression, especially if you work for one of the leading airlines of the world. If you have the smallest seed of desire to pursue this profession we have just one piece of advice for you: GO FOR IT! If You Want To Work For A Major Airline In The Middle East We Can Teach You How >>
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Airline Cheat Sheets Unlock The Secrets To The Major Airlines Recruitment Processes
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Would You Love To Know The Exact Recruitment Process For Each Airline So You Maximise Your Chances Of Passing The First Time?
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DO YOU WANT TO BE THE BEST? THE CHOICE IS YOURS! ACT NOW! Issue #1 June 2015
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How Many Times Have You Failed Your Cabin Crew Interview? Asking Every Man & His Dog For Advice About The Interview Is A Poor Plan For Success. Why Not Ask The Experts Instead?
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Cabin Crew In Focus: Carmen
Cabin Crew In Focus
Car0en
A glimpse at her face leaves you baffled for a few seconds. Big blue eyes, dark hair and the most contagious smile ever are just an added bonus to her incredible spiritual warmth. Carmen has been a cabin crew for close to 10 years now, yet she still speaks about her job and puts as much dedication and enthusiasm into it as somebody that just discovered the beauty of flight. She’s flown for one of the major airlines of the world for 8 years, and then moved on to a reputable VIP operator in the Middle East, where we had the chance to meet and share some very memorable experiences. Confidentiality boundaries don’t allow her to share with us pictures from her current job but you can tell how much she loves it by the way she speaks about it.
Carmen sat down with us and shared a little bit of her experience and thoughts. When did you start flying and what attracted you towards this profession? Wow, when I think of the year, it feels like it was so long ago, yet I feel I’ve been only doing this for 1 or 2 months. I started flying in February 2006 when I tried my luck with an application for the national carrier of UAE, Etihad Airways. I felt the world is much bigger than what I knew at that age and wanted to explore it from East to West and from North to South. What was the biggest challenge during your recruitment stages? Overcoming the huge competition and trying to guess what is it that recruiters are looking for. I didn’t know what to expect to prepare in advance so it was all a guessing game. When you think how many people aspire to this job and try to get it, I still can’t believe how lucky I was to be accepted from the first time.
Issue #1 June 2015
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Cabin Crew In Focus: Carmen
How did you feel leaving your friends and family behind and relocating to a completely foreign country? Excited!! I’ve never been too rooted in Romania, my home country, so it wasn’t a really big problem to relocate. I do miss my mum terribly though, she is my best friend and my real connection with “home”. Thank God for Skype and FaceTime, that makes it a lot easier to keep in touch and overcome the distance. What is the biggest reward you had from this job? As cliché as it might sound – travelling! The world is my oyster, really! I feel so at peace when I land into any destination. It gives me an incredible feeling of freedom that I wouldn’t trade for anything. Do you have a favourite destination and if so, what makes it special to you? Yes, Seychelles. What makes it special? Everything: the warm weather (which I adore), the white sand beaches, the rich vegetation, the friendly happy people, the ocean, everything! Is there any place you haven’t had the chance to visit yet but would really like to? I always wondered about Maldives and haven’t had the chance to get there yet. I imagine it very similar to Seychelles and would like to see if it is better or just as beautiful. What’s the worst thing about being a cabin crew? It is quite difficult to have a certain routine in your personal life. We pretty much live in our suitcase and need friends or life partners that understand this lifestyle and support it. It gets lonely sometimes, but I try to keep myself busy all the time so I don’t get sad. How do you stay fit while being always on the go? I spend as much time outdoors as possible and I take very long walks as often as I can. Since we don’t know where we might end up, I carry my little mobile gym with me so I can exercise in my room if there is no gym in our hotel. If You Want To Stay Fit & Healthy Like Carmen Then Check Out The Fitness Equipment We Have For You >>
Issue #1 June 2015
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Cabin Crew In Focus: Carmen
Is it difficult to transition from commercial to private aviation? It isn’t easy because most companies are asking for previous VIP experience. It took a while to find a company that gave me the chance to prove my abilities despite not having VIP experience so I was lucky again. To be honest, I wish I had access 2 years ago to the resources that you guys offer. Information gives strength and confidence, it would have probably been twice as easy to find my VIP cabin crew job. Are you happier now than you were as a commercial cabin crew? I have more time off and the income is better, I’m more relaxed and I stay longer in the destinations we fly to, so the answer is YES.
What would you advise aspiring cabin crew? I would tell them to believe in themselves and work hard to get this job if they really want it. It’s a mixture of good luck and intense preparation to impress the people doing the recruitment. I would also tell them it is worth the time and energy invested. I personally can’t imagine doing any other job. What about cabin crew that are looking to move from commercial airlines to private operations? Probably the same thing… Learn as much as possible about the job, speak to professionals that can guide you in the right direction and keep trying until you get it.
What do you love the most about being a VIP cabin crew? Besides the overall benefits, I absolutely love the environment. My aircraft is almost like my home and although it is still hard work, I don’t feel it the same. Spending 3 hours cleaning a flying mansion is somehow more enjoyable than doing a one-hour flight with 300 passengers.
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5 Simple Ways For Cabin Crew To Stay Disconnected & Enjoy 15 Minutes Of “Me Time”
5 Simple Ways For Cabin Crew To Disconnect & Enjoy 15 Minutes Of 'Me Time' Cabin Crew rarely take the time to unplug during any given day. If we aren't caught up with the normal duties, we are attached to technology in our constant attempt to keep in touch with friends and family. As it turns out, on any given day off we spend just short of half the day in front of some type of screen, according to research. The health benefits of relaxing away from digital technology are well documented, but it still is a challenge for many Cabin Crew to find some time for themselves. If you find yourself in this category, consider scheduling a 15 minute break twice a day. It will be quality me-time, and before you know it, those 15 minutes will become a welcomed break each and every day. Here are five simple ways you can turn just 15 minutes into an actual break that will help refresh your whole day – and may just make you more productive in the air and on the ground.
1. Enjoy tea time: In under 15 minutes, you can brew and enjoy a cup of tea. Choose your favourite ceramic mug, add hot water, and let your Tetley Black and Green tea bag (one of our all time favourites) steep for two minutes while you take a breath. No peeking at your screen while your steeping! Tetley Black and Green tea is a smart choice, since it does double duty while you take a break, offering the benefits of green tea with the rich, smooth flavour of black tea. So savour the experience and the tea – and disconnect and focus your energy on yourself until your cup is empty. 2. Meditation: Meditation is a great way to slow the heart, calm the mind and recharge the batteries. Just 15 minutes of meditation can help you improve your focus and reduce stress, bringing your energy back so you can accomplish everything on your to-do list. If you’ve never meditated before, follow this link and find yoga mats and other equipment to get you started > 3. Take a walk: Get yourself out of your home or hotel for 15 minutes of fresh air. Pack a pair of sneakers and set regular appointments on your calendar. Go around the block, or pick up the pace a bit and go for the mile. By removing yourself from your idle environment, you can help your brain concentrate better when you return. 4. Play with a pet: Four-legged family members can quickly bring a smile to your face during a 15-minute break when you’re at home. Even sitting still and scratching Fido or Fluffy behind the ears can help calm you down, lift your spirits and make you remember you are home after a long flight. Plus, your pet will certainly reward you with love and affection. 5. Stretch out the kinks: Sitting still for too long can leave your body achy and sapped for energy. Do some sitting exercises to get your blood moving, like rising up to your tiptoes for a full-body stretch. Close your bedroom door and put your phone on “do not disturb” to get the break you need. A couple of yoga moves are also an option, and can help relieve any neck or back tension that might be distracting you from your work. Focusing on our physical health and keeping stress levels to an absolute minimum is very important in a demanding profession like ours. If you start scheduling these 15-minute breaks, you'll soon notice they become automatic, and you'll start to look forward to the times of the day when you can pull the plug and enjoy some time to yourself.
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VIP Cabin Crew: What To Expect During The Practical Assessment
VIP Cabin Crew Interview What To Expect During The Practical Assessment As with all interviews, preparation is key and knowing what to expect will give you the confidence to face the recruiters with the undaunted belief that you are exactly what they are looking for. If you are scheduled to interview with a private airline for a VIP cabin crew role, you might be asked to undergo a practical assessment during the faceto-face interview. The tasks are different depending on the company and can include (to name a few): • Doing a table lay-up for a minimum of 2 VIPs • Opening a (dummy) bottle of wine in front of the VIP and demonstrating (or at least explaining) wine service etiquette • Simulating a dialogue with a high ranking VIP (like a royal family member or a head of state) It is important that you remain calm and composed throughout the interview, and especially during the practical assessment. Nervousness can easily be sensed in a candidate’s voice, facial expression and overall body language. During practical assessments, it is that much more obvious as hands can get shaky and that can ruin your demonstration. We recommend that you do your best to imagine you are already in your VIP cabin crew job and are serving a VIP. You are in your workspace and are fully confident with what you are doing; so own it without being nervous! 20 Issue #1 June 2015
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If you are asked to do a table lay-up, take a second to scan the items provided for the task and use them all. If you have a silver tray and a tray liner, line your tray and neatly organise on it all the lay up items for at least 2 passengers at once. If you don’t have a service tray, organise all your lay-up items on a main course plate (if available) and use that as your tray. You might also want to ask what type of service you are expected to layup for before getting started. If you are laying up for silver service, your appetiser and main course plates must be included in the lay-up. (photo with lay-up including plates) Do the lay-up for each passenger and only move on to the next when you are completely done with the first. Your aim is to minimise movement in front or around each passenger as much as possible.
“Pay attention to symmetry as you go and make sure each layup mirrors the previous one perfectly. You need to be very observant for that because moving the silverware, chinaware or glassware once they have been set on the table is a No Go!” Pay attention to symmetry as you go and make sure each layup mirrors the previous one perfectly. You need to be very observant for that because moving the silverware, chinaware or glassware once they have been set on the table is a No Go! The recruiter might try to engage you in discussion while you are doing the layup. Stay focused on both tasks and don’t loose sight of the final look of your table, which must be perfect! If the practical assessment task is to make a dialogue with a high-ranking VIP, you need to be aware of the correct title to address him/her with and the formal protocols relevant to the VIP’s rank.
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VIP Cabin Crew: What To Expect During The Practical Assessment
“Dealing with very high-ranking individuals can be very intimidating, even stressful� Many recruiters will try to push your limits to understand what is your threshold. You must remain professional, graceful and think on your feet throughout the interview. Be a good listener, irrespective of the scenario presented, and take a few seconds to think twice before reacting to any situation. Do your research before the interview so you can understand the type of operation your prospective employer is running. The types of aircraft operated, whether it is a charter or owner-only company or any insight from a fellow crew member already flying with this airline would all be very useful in making sure your pre-interview preparation is a thorough as possible. If you would like to find out more on the above subject and practice it in order to increase your chances at any VIP Cabin Crew position, join us at our seminars in Dubai where you will learn everything you need to know in order to be successful at the interview. >>
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VIP Cabin Crew: What To Expect During The Practical Assessment
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Recruitment Calendar
Recruitment Calendar Open & Assessment Days From Around The World
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What If You Had… Every Tool You Need To Impress The Recruiters & Become A Cabin Crew With A Major Airline ?
You DON’T Need A Classroom You DON’T Need Opinions You DON’T Need Luck
YOU NEED RESULTS Chose Your Tools & Finally Prepare For Success Issue #1 June 2015
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