May Roster

It’s that time of the month again… roster time!

Next month I’ve got something different coming up – I’m back on the 777. It’s been 7 months since I last flew on the Boeing, so I’m hoping I haven’t completely forgotten how to do it! 😉

Some of the destinations I’ll be visiting (unless I swap any flights) are:

  • Jakarta
  • Lahore (turnaround)
  • Casablanca
  • Columbo – Singapore (only a short stop in Colombo, overnight in Singapore)
  • Munich
  • Barcelona
  • Islamabad (turnaround)

With the exception of Munich, all of these flights are on the 777. It’ll be fun to get back to flying different aircraft, but most of these flights depart in the middle of the night, so I think an exhausting month is coming up!

I’m all ears for any tips of things to do or see in Jakarta, as I’ve only been once before and didn’t manage to do any exploring. As for Casablanca, I’ve been twice before, and if I don’t swap it I’m planning on trying out a traditional Hammam!

I hope these roster posts are interesting – I feel they may get a bit receptive each month, especially when I don’t get any new destinations.

Please feel free to comment with any suggestions for posts or questions you may have! 🙂

P.s. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world!

33 Comments

  1. ravi
    May 18, 2015 / 1:48 pm

    As usual entertaining!!! Do u get ur passport stamped at every exit point of airport like a passenger ?

    • May 26, 2015 / 12:51 pm

      Thank you! No, most airports we just show our crew ID. Some give us a stamp but I think only Russia and China for me, and some European countries for non-European passport holders!

  2. sabrina
    May 14, 2015 / 12:52 pm

    Hi Rachel,

    Ive been following you through IG. I have few questions and i hope you could assist me! I ll be joining on 3rd of july (estimated, if and only if everything goes well, pray hard for that) may i know which flights operation you find tough and fun? As i read somewhere i was confused after i read them as they said theres a flight that mostly are turnaround flight and its hard to move up if you get it and you cant change to the a380 or the other round :/ im sorry if my question made you confused and i hope to hear from u soon! Xo!

    • May 17, 2015 / 12:36 pm

      Hi there! Well I think you mean that some people are trained on the 777 and A380, and some are trained on the 777 and A330/A340! The small airbus’ go to mostly turnaround destinations, but it’s usually pretty balanced. I guess you’ll see when you arrive which aircraft you are trained on! 🙂

  3. Sofia
    April 30, 2015 / 5:36 pm

    Hello! Just wanted to drop by and say how much I love your blog. I have been an avid reader for a while. 🙂 I have a question for you- I am about to make my way over there in a couple months and I was just trying to figure out what I can bring to wear. I hear that shorts and stuff like that are okay and then I hear that they aren’t. So I’m going to ask someone who is living there. Thanks in advance! xx

    • May 4, 2015 / 2:06 pm

      Hi, thanks so much for reading 🙂 You can totally wear shorts when you’re at the beach or pool, however I wouldn’t walk around Dubai in short shorts or super revealing clothes. Of course its a respect thing for the culture, but it’s more about how high the air con is everywhere, you’ll freeze! 😀 Definitely bring all types of clothes with you though as you’ll need them for layovers 🙂

  4. K
    April 29, 2015 / 8:14 pm

    HI Rachel.

    I commented a few weeks back asking about the different types of aircraft people are trained on so thanks a million for your reply.

    I am delighted to tell you I was successful and will be joining in the Summer.

    I hope you dont mind, I have another few questions for you.

    Is there anything you could recommend new people to take with them that is hard to get in Dubai? eg. tights, make up etc.

    Also, I dont want to mention specifics about money but do you think the original money is enough for new joiners or should I dig into my savings?

    Finally, I have a boyfriend who will hopefully be coming to stay a few times (as long as my roommate agrees 🙂 ) Just asking should I put him down as my cousin on my form before I join or will I be able to add him when I join?

    Sorry for all the questions, just I know you are really good for replying.

    Looking forward to hearing from you 🙂

    • May 4, 2015 / 2:03 pm

      Wow, congrats! 🙂 To be honest you can get pretty much anything you need here in Dubai. Obviously some things are more expensive here (like certain make-up brands) so just bring what you think you’ll need for the first few weeks and you should be fine. When it comes to money to be honest the first couple of months before you start getting flying pay it’s not that much, I do seem to remember I used some of my savings. Then again, we did go out partying every weekend hahaha! You don’t need to add your bf now, just when he comes to stay you can fill in the form 🙂

  5. Bobbie Houston
    April 29, 2015 / 6:53 pm

    I always love reading your roster! It’s so excited and interesting 😀
    I’ve read your blog for long and really want to say thank you for always updating it and making it so amazing and informative.
    I’m joining Emirates on the 26/06 and I was wondering if you know much about what fleets the new joiners are being trained on?
    I’m really hoping for the A380/777!

    Thank you,
    Bobbie

    • May 4, 2015 / 2:00 pm

      Hi Bobbie! Thanks for reading, glad you like my blog 🙂 Congrats on getting the job, you’ll love it! I think most of the new joiners are being trained on the 380/777, but there are some groups that are also being trained on the 777/330/340…so I guess you’ll find out when you arrive! 🙂

      • May 4, 2015 / 4:38 pm

        I love it 🙂 It has helped me so much! Thank you for replying! xx

    • Leah
      May 11, 2015 / 1:11 pm

      Hi Bobbie! I saw your comment and thought I should post as I am joining on the 26th of June as well! I hope we are trained on the A380/777. Where are you from?

      Leah

  6. Carolin
    April 29, 2015 / 12:40 am

    Hi!
    My spouse have just finished open day and are now waiting for the answer from Emirates. He didn’t get much information how it works when you have spouse/wife and a kid.
    Maybe you know. How does it work with accommodation when you have family?! How does it work it when you have kids, do you put them in pre-school or do you keep them at home?!
    Is emirates sponsoring you with let say furniture, car..?!
    Do you need to be two that work or can you support your family with a cabin crew salary?!

    Thank you!
    Carolin

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:50 pm

      Hi there! Sorry I can’t really help you there, I don’t know anybody personally who has kids. Best thing to do would be email the company, I’m sure they’ll be able to give you all the answers you need 🙂

  7. Silvi
    April 27, 2015 / 11:52 pm

    I love your blog… Can you write also the days or how many hours is every flight?

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:44 pm

      Well all of the layovers are generally 24 hours, and for the flights they are all different lengths. You can just google Dubai to whichever destination to see how long they are 🙂

  8. Jackie
    April 27, 2015 / 9:11 am

    Hi there!

    I was wondering if you brought a cover letter to your Open Day? I read on one forum that they don’t accept cover letters, but on another forum I read that it was important to bring one.

    I love your blog! Thanks in advance for your help 🙂

    • Kelsey
      April 27, 2015 / 6:12 pm

      I just had my AD and then my FI this past weekend! I didn’t bring a cover letter and she didn’t ask anyone for one. The other ppl that got FIs didn’t have one either 🙂

      Good luck!

      • Jackie
        April 29, 2015 / 7:52 am

        Thanks Kelsey! Good luck to you as well 🙂

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:42 pm

      To be honest I don’t actually remember, it was so long ago now! Maybe bring one just in case, then if they don’t need it no worries! Thanks for reading and good luck 🙂

  9. April 27, 2015 / 6:16 am

    Im joining Emirates in four days…. very excited right now, and anxious as well. 😀 Thank you for your posts.. and for share your rosters… they gave me even more enthusiam to keep firm in this path that is now becoming real… Thank you and have fun* 😉

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:41 pm

      How exciting! Hope you enjoy Dubai and love the job as much as I do 🙂

  10. Rachel Parkin
    April 26, 2015 / 11:56 pm

    As the mother of a 24 year old who is due to graduate for Emirates in May, I got into reading a couple of blogs while she was applying and going through the joining process.

    I enjoy reading about the countries you all visit and what you all get up to while you are there. I love the photos and the highlight of my month ( yes, sad I know!) is when she sends me her roster and I can look up where she’s going.
    Blogs like yours are very helpful to those who are going through the torment and agonys of applying…..and believe me, there’s probably more mums like me who like to know what it’s all about as well……

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:41 pm

      Thank so much for your lovely comment! Glad you enjoy reading, and I think my parents enjoy seeing my roster each month as well 🙂

  11. April 26, 2015 / 1:33 pm

    Agreed- rosters are always Interesting!
    I have a little question- I’ve seen on some girls rosters they post that they have ‘days off’ and ‘rest’ what is the difference between the two!?
    Also how do your standby/can-use work? Thanks for answering 🙂

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:39 pm

      Thanks 🙂 Days off are just that, a day off. A “rest” is when you have a flight early the next morning, so anything leaving between midnight and 7:30am! For standby it will be either at home (6 hours) or at the airport (4 hours) and if they need you for a flight they’ll call you. 🙂

  12. April 26, 2015 / 6:49 am

    Definitely try the Hammam! I was in Turkey last summer and I enjoyed it so much I went not once, not twice, but FOUR times! The best is obviously a private experience, but the communal Hammams are the true traditional way of bathing from back in the day. You will definitely NOT regret it!

    Oh and I just wanted to let you know that I have my FI tomorrow morning! Thank you so so so much for all of the information you have posted about your experiences with EK 🙂

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:37 pm

      Oh wow, I’ll definitely have to try it then! Good luck for the FI, hope it went well! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you 🙂

  13. George
    April 25, 2015 / 11:42 pm

    No, your rosters cannot get boring to us! Maybe to you they get repetitive but to us who are on the ground and are spending whole month at the same place they seem very interesting. It helps us discover and think of what our life might look like if/when we become cabin crew 🙂

    • April 29, 2015 / 5:36 pm

      Aw thanks! I guess for me it’s the same kind of thing – if I keep flying to the same destinations it’s not very exciting 🙂

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