Melissa's Flight Attendant Blog

Monday, February 20, 2006

Ahhh. I'm so glad I'm home, in French Connection again typing away.

On the 18th I had airport standby from 6-9am, one of the busiest times for departures. It's not always good to get when you're cabin crew, as you have to be at the airport dressed in full uniform with a very heavy suitcase not knowing where you're going. You could be assigned anything from steamy Bangkok, to Perth where it's currently 38 degrees Celcius, or to Moscow where it's snowy. You have to pack for anything, for an 8 day trip AKL-BNE-SIN or even a turnaround. You could be in the new Airbus 340-500 and have to pack special blue pyjamas for the Bulk Cargo Rest Comparment, otherwise you miss out on 3 hours rest. On the upside you can score some bonza flights.

I did airport standby with Melanie, a Saff-er from my batch, and Daniel, from Sydney, who graduated a week after I did. The lucky guy scored Rome. I don't know what Melanie got, but I ended up getting London Gatwick.

And I know I've only done 5 flights, but that was by far the best I've had. The crew got on really well, the passengers were really talkitive and friendly, the trip back to Dubai was only a third full in Economy. Once service was over we could play around on the ICE system and see how it worked. Soooo cruisy. No prep had to be done for the next flight.

I ended up replacing a New Zealand girl who left her handbag at home, with her passport and documents etc. They put me on a door, and I stuffed up one of the checks. :-( Oh well it was my 4th flight and the first time I was on a door.

The hotel we were staying at was just gorgeous. They put nice little touches on everything to make up for the fact that they had a view of nothing but the airport and drink prices were greatly inflated. The Room service was particularly nice. The food was sometimes lacking in quality and slow but set out so well, especially breakfast. Little notes and messages. Wooden service trays. Glass jam jars, which I stole because we don't have jam back at home. It's the small touches that make the difference.

Went out to the city. Travelling on the tube was very confusing. Luckily I went with Claudio, the First Officer, who looked as if he knew what he was doing. We ended up seeing Big Ben & the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Hyde Park, the largest Burberry store I've ever seen. Considering I'd been up since 3 am Dubai time (11pm London time) and sightseeing till 4pm I was very knackered. Went back to the hotel, ordered room service, watched the Curling on TV and slept very very well.

The trip back to Dubai was even better than the one to London. One meal service, ate ice cream during the flight. Met a guy travelling to Perth who was staying in Ocean Reef! He wouldn't stop talking though, and I had work to do. Ella signed him up to Skywards which is good - which I'd thought of that. Economy class only had 130 passengers, so any service we did went really fast. Bought something from duty free - a Mont Blanc Passport cover, to keep all my flying cards and such in. very nice.

Didn't sleep well though - Bridgette had to get ready for her Paris flight. Poor girl, hope she packed something warm. I was freezing my tits off in London and I imagine she'll be doing the same.

Posted by Melissa at 12:55 pm

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