Melissa's Flight Attendant Blog

Sunday, February 22, 2009

So I thought its about time I let you guys know what is happening with the flatmate situation. After I came back from Johannesburg (where I spent Valentines Day eating a scrumptious Beef Carpaccio from The Butchershop with an old uni mate of mine) I got a surprise email in my inbox. Well two. The first one was from the Welfare department, advising me that Flatmate No. 6 and I should attend a mediation session together. Personally I think this is a lost cause, FN6 and I have not said a word to each other since New Years Day, reconcilliation is beyond possible, and basically Welfare are stumped as to what to do as they can't move FN6 what with all the crew they have up in temporary accomodation at the moment.

The second email was an invitation to move into a one bedroom apartment, which for a First Class crew member is rare. It took me 2 years in the company to find out that FG1's were entitled to their own place... it's not written in any of our many handbooks, manuals and joining guides. The place they have in mind is in Al Nadha, which is close to the Sharjah border - hardly an ideal location. It's a brand new building, and when I had a look at it they were still hauling in the gas cookers, washing machine, fridges, dryers and whatever else you expect to find in a fully furnished apartment.

For the past week I've been torn as to what I should do - to stay in my much loved but forever tainted 2 bedroom, or to start afresh in the one bedroom, far from anything decent single apartment. A dear friend suggested drawing up a list of pros and cons, and after doing so have come to the conclusion that I'd be best to move out of Blue Building.

It's going to be hard, but I'm seeing this as the big kick up the backside for getting the small things I want done - to cook more, to get my license, to finally get myself a microwave. Have already packed two boxes, and have no idea how I'm going to move 3 years worth of stuff from one end of Dubai to another in just the 2 days they allocate from check in. They said the apartments will be ready in March, so I still have a bit of time to get myself organised, and when I do move there I should be neighbours with all the new crew currently in temporary accomodation, which should be a hoot.

Tomorrow I have an ultra long haul killer - Toronto, 2 days layover. Have been given lots of tips as to what to do, but seeing as though the temperature is hovering at a maximum of -3 Celcius, somehow I don't think I'll be doing much.

Labels: Around Dubai, Random Thoughts

Posted by Melissa at 8:55 pm

8 comments

Champs De Elysee

Louis Vuitton flagship store. For the sake of my finances I resisted the urge to go inside.

Not entirely sure what this is. I think it's the Petit Palais...

Place de la Concorde, with the Obelisk marking its centre.

The Obelisk of Luxor adorned with hieroglyphics and diagrams of the different machines used to transport it to France in 1831.

The Palais Bourbon, the seat of the French National Assembly - the lower chamber of the French Government

It was absolutely freezing! Should have brought my Moscow standard wear - leggings to go under jeans, gloves and genuine/fake fur ruski hat. Didn't really eat all that much whilst I was there either - was feeling a tad crook. So with just Metro tickets being spent I ended up saving 90 Euros from my allowance! Pretty good effort I think.

The flight back from CDG was interesting enough. After a pleasant but brief chat with Ben at the hotel (we were taking over his flight) I passed out in the crew bus from lack of sleep. I was pretty fatigued, and took the galley position - L1 jumpseat is opposite the purser and there was no way I'd let myself doze off while he was looking for me.

After about 2 hrs of hard yakka at the galley, I finally managed to go into the cabin. And in 2A was probably the most handsome guy I had seen in ages. Especially in first class. Had a bit of a gossip sesh with the other crew - it was his first time in F/C and he'd already swiped the champagne flute! Throughout the flight he had also stashed away our salt and pepper grinders, the first class headset (which is actually the same as the J/C ones, but it comes in a velvet pouch) as well as the female amenities bag from 1D whilst she was still asleep! I actually waited until he went to the toilet to make sure the life jacket at his seat was still in it's place.

So as is the norm with first time FC passengers, he tried all the wines on the menu, which was fine. He went from Champagne, to the French White, to the South African White, to the Chianti, to the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Purser did the usual PR thing and gave him a list of places to go in DXB for a first timer. The next drink he ordered was a Manhattan. Then a double scotch. Which he downed in 15 minutes. And he asked for another, and downed that one too. And as we only stock four of the Chivas Regal in First, he had actually cleared out First Class of its Scotch Whisky. The decision was made to restrict his alcohol consumption, and the Purser went into the cabin to break the news to 2A.

Whilst brewing a coffee for myself the Purser returned to the galley.

''You'll never believe what just happened"

"Try me. Nothing surprises me on board anymore"

"Mr 2A* - we were chatting and I was telling him about some clubs he might want to visit in Dubai"

"Yeah"

"He was giggling and then he held my hand"

"Uh, yeah"

"Then we chatted some more, and just as I was about to tell him about his drinks he grabbed my..." the purser signalled that 2A had grabbed his genitals

"Oh dear..."

So the purser was pretty freaked out, and whilst us FG1s told him that he should probably tell the captain just in case any other incidents happened, he decided not to follow it up, just follow the original plan of restricting his drinks. He was pretty embarrassed. We waited as long as we could, but he wanted another drink - Double Chivas with ice and cola on the side. What we poured him was a joke - a glass full of ice, filled halfway with water, then with cola, and on the rim of the glass we smeared the scotch and poured about a third of a miniature inside, taking care not to mix it. We checked on him 10 minutes later to see if he had noticed and wanted to complain, but thankfully he passed out in his seat.

As we had to secure the cabin for landing, Mr 2A was still passed out with a flat bed. After a good 3 minutes of arm tapping and semi-shouting (politely of course) he finally woke up. And as we took away his headset we noticed that the diluted drink we gave him last was all over the headset, as well as the rest of the seat. Just great. He disembarked without incident, although the Purser hid in the toilet until he was off the aircraft. At least all this drama and scandal kept me awake during the flight!

Next flight is a Johannesburg, which always seems to be rained out when I'm there and thus leaving me sulking in my hotel room that I can't see any lions or whatever. Might head out to the Meat Co. and get myself some decent steak, we'll see I guess.

*Name removed for obvious reasons