Deadheading to Dar Es Salaam

I recently got back from a trip to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Finally a new destination! Recently it feels like I keep on getting the same places all the time, so I was very happy to be rostered somewhere new.

Even more exciting was the fact that when I checked my roster the evening before the flight, I found out I was deadheading! This basically means you are flying as a non-operating crew, essentially as a passenger, but still getting paid half of the flying hours.

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Once we arrived, after a pretty short flight (around 5 hours) most of us arranged to go up to the pool for a swim. As we got up there the sun was just beginning to set!

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We had a few drinks by the pool and then met downstairs in the restaurant for dinner. 

The next morning was just as relaxing… free (!!) breakfast, and a couple of hours lounging by the pool enjoying the sunshine and reading my book.

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It’s way too hot in Dubai now to stay out in the sunshine, so I very much enjoyed sitting out in 28 degrees!

Next time I go I’d love to do a bit of exploring, although I haven’t heard much about what there is to do in Dar Es Salaam. Any tips?

In other news, I just received an email that I’ve been accepted for my business class training! 😀 Very exciting! Hopefully I’ll be rostered the training next month and then soon I’ll be working in the business class cabin instead of economy! 🙂

 

P.s. If you want more regular day to day updates of what’s going on in my life, follow me on Twitter and Instagram @rachelwwilson!

 

15 Comments

  1. Paul Ntulila
    November 8, 2014 / 4:17 am

    what aircraft you flew to Dar es Salaam? I will be flying to Dar es Salaam via Dubai with Emirates flights on 10th Dec 2014.

    • November 17, 2014 / 5:09 pm

      I flew on the 777, although I believe the A340 (or A330, not sure) also flies there! Hope you enjoy your flight! 🙂

  2. Ed Gabriel
    July 5, 2014 / 11:12 pm

    hi,
    im living in DAR and a cabin crew at Air Tanzania. There are pretty neat nice places to discover around here, like the sea cliff, less than 6km from the hotel you stayed, or the cape town fish market, both are great places for a drink or a descent dine, and if you fancy sunsets by the beach they are perfect locations.

    • July 20, 2014 / 9:46 pm

      Ah awesome, thanks for the tips! I’ll definitely have to check them out if I ever get rostered another trip there!

  3. Anonymous
    June 19, 2014 / 2:53 pm

    Hi, I’ve been following your blog. Can you tell what’s the best part and the worst about being a flight attendant? Are you enjoying it so far and do you see yourself doing it for a long time? Thanks!

    • June 25, 2014 / 7:43 am

      Hi, thanks for reading!
      I don’t think I could pick one specific thing, but for me it’s all about the travelling! I love exploring new places and going to cities I might otherwise have never had the chance to visit! And the worst thing…cleaning up other people’s vomit?! Haha! I am still loving it and definitely plan on staying for a few more years at least, who knows what’ll happen after that 🙂

  4. David
    June 18, 2014 / 9:53 pm

    What languages are required to work as an F/A at Emirates? Is it required to speak Arabic?

    • June 25, 2014 / 7:40 am

      Hi, only English! I barely speak any Arabic, it’s not a requirement! 🙂

  5. June 11, 2014 / 8:18 am

    Hey Rachel,

    There’s a bunch of things you can see and do here on your next visit: Slipway (the sunsets there are beautiful), snorkeling and scuba diving (they’ve got some really great reefs!), try the local food/drinks (such as fresh coconut water by the ocean side, chips mayai, etc) and buy the traditional cloth that the women wear called kanga/kitenge. I’ve been living in Dar for the past couple months and its been absolutely wonderful 🙂

    Also, your blog is fantastic! I am planning to apply to Emirates once I complete my degree and your blog is such a treasure of information! Thank you so much!

    • June 25, 2014 / 7:40 am

      Wow, thanks for all the great tips! I’ll definitely have to try some of them next time I get rostered a trip there!
      Glad you enjoy reading my blog 🙂 x

  6. Anonymous
    June 10, 2014 / 7:25 pm

    One question! How long did you have to work before being able to apply for business class training?
    Oh and congratulations!

    • June 10, 2014 / 7:40 pm

      Thank you! I’ve been here almost exactly one and a half years 🙂

  7. June 10, 2014 / 5:59 pm

    Congrats, you deserve it!
    Could I please ask you, why did you go if you were not an operating crew? 🙂

    • June 10, 2014 / 6:08 pm

      Thank you 🙂 Unfortunately I had to work on the way back! The plane was smaller going there so they didn’t need as many crew, however they needed more on the way back to Dubai 🙂

      • June 10, 2014 / 6:22 pm

        Oh I understand better now, thanks a lot for your answer. This is really nice of you. I follow your instagram too,
        I am joining Ek soon so thanks a lot for your blog, it helps! 😉

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