My November roster has been published, and it was my “top bid”, which means my group is the highest in seniority for bidding.
We did have a new bidding system roll into place this month, so I think that may be why I didn’t get everything I bid for!
In November (which by the way – where has this year gone?!) I’ll be heading to:
- VIE (Vienna – originally I was rostered Manchester but someone sent me a swap for Vienna, of course I accepted straight away!)
- 6 days off (to attend a wedding of friends in Mauritius, yay!)
- AMS (Amsterdam)
- LGW (London Gatwick)
- PVG (Shanghai)
- HKG (Hong Kong)
- HKG (Hong Kong)
These are all subject to change as I may get sent some swaps or send some myself, I’ll keep you updated!
I did also bid for Orlando and Bologna, but all of the above flights are A380 flights (except Vienna) so it looks like the rostering system didn’t want to give me any 777. Shame, would have been nice to see some new destinations!
I bid for HKG to go and see my ex-flatmate Kirsty who lives there now, so I’m very excited to finally be able to catch up with her as I haven’t seen her since her wedding in August!
Do let me know if you have any requests for posts – my Macbook battery has been playing up a lot recently and I fear it may need to be replaced, which is why I haven’t been able to post as much recently.
Thanks to everyone who follows my blog and leaves me lovely comments on each posts, it’s really appreciated! 🙂
P.s. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world!
Hi there Rachel, hope your doing well.
I saw that you recently moved I was wondering is it easy to move accommodation ? I know it is on hold at the moment and am hoping applications will open by January , do you have any tips ?
Thanks
Author
Hi there! Sorry I really have no idea when it will open again :/ The first time I moved it was closed for aaaages, at least 6 months I think!
I love your blog.Always being positive and bringing good report to encorage your readers The Lord will continue to be with you and protect you.amen
I desire to be a flight attendant but I am over 35 yo
Author
Thanks so much for your kind words! 🙂
Are crew allowed to have other part-time “jobs”? Say you model, take up small acting projects, etc. during days off in dubai?
Author
Well not according to our contract, although I’m sure there are some crew who do other things on the side!
hi rachel. what a fantastic job you are doing!
my question = what uniform does male purser wear? is it the same as male cabin crew member or sth different? keep posting bye 😉
Author
Thanks so much! 🙂 Male pursers have the same uniform as the rest of the male cabin crew, but they wear a different tie 🙂
Does Emirates schedule cabin crew on basis of language requirement. For ex if a flight is going to china ,do they have at least one Chinese cabin crew on-board?
Author
Yes, there are a certain number of language speakers on every flight, depending on the destination of course. 🙂
Hi! Lovely blog! 🙂
Quick question. If they don’t hold open days in my country, and I apply online, will the airline possibly send me an invitation for assessment day in a country near mine? Do you know if they do that?
Thanks!
Author
Hi there, thanks for reading 🙂 Yes I think you can apply specifically for assessment days in certain locations, although it’s been a while since I applied so I’m not 100% sure!
Can I apply if I’m wearing retainers?
Author
Do you mean on your teeth? Like braces? You can’t have them but if you’re getting them removed soon then I’m sure they would take that into consideration!
Hi Rachel, how are you? Hope you’re well 🙂 I enjoy reading your blogs, very well written 🙂 I am thinking of applying at the end of my business course. Quick question, what does a quick turn around mean? For example to Pakistan. Like do you have your return flight a couple of hours after landing? Keep up the brilliant blogs 🙂
Author
Hi there, thanks for reading 🙂 Yes that’s exactly what it means – you do the flight, stay a couple of hours in the aircraft on ground and then go back to where you came from (Dubai)!
can i attend an open day at the age of 19? i know ill be eliminated but i wanna see the atmosphere and the ppt presentation or what is in fact in the very beginning?
Author
Honestly I don’t think there would be much point as you wouldn’t even get through to the first round, you wouldn’t be able to get past the CV drop. Just wait a bit longer and go when you’re 21 🙂
Author
Hi there! It can most definitely be a lonely life, but there are plenty of days off and time to date people 🙂 Or even just catch up with your friends in Dubai!
Love your blog. Can’t wait for next post!
Author
Thank you so much! 🙂
I was in my 5th top bid and i got all i asked for haha
Author
Congratulations!
Hey Rachel!
I have a question, you said your ex-flat mate lives in Hong Kong and you have a friend getting married in Mauritius… were they both cabin crew and met their significant others while on a layover in those countries? Does this happen often with Emirates cabin crew, do crew meet future husbands in other countries? Is it difficult making long distance relationships work or is it the heart wants what the heart wants : ) Also, if you had a sweetheart in the States or Canada, hypothetically, how often would you be able to get a away with swapping a flight for their location (if you were very very motivated)?
Thanks!
-M
Author
Hi there! Yes – my friend in Hong Kong was crew and met her husband on a layover, although she had known him for a few years already (just as friends). The friends getting married are both cabin crew and met in Dubai 🙂 There are plenty of cabin crew that meet their significant others in Dubai or on a layover and end up married! Long distance definitely works – take the friend in Hong Kong, they were apart for nearly 2 years before they got married! You would have to have a US visa to be able to do US flights and they are generally quite ok to swap – lots of people don’t like doing longhaul!
I’m watched the Benfica Safety Ad and I’ve got to say, IT WAS SO GOOD! How do certain crew get selected to represent the airlines in events like that? 🙂
Author
I agree, wasn’t it awesome! You can apply to be part of the business promotions team and then you’ll be chosen for certain events. 🙂
Dear Rachel,
I love your blog. As already mentionned, you are always positive. It’s really nice to read.
Have you ever been to Geneva? I’m sometimes flying from GVA to DXB.
Author
Hello, thanks so much for reading, glad you enjoy it! 🙂 Unfortunately I’ve not been to Geneva yet, it’s one of our more popular destinations so quite hard to get!
What’s the difference between an Open Day and an Invitation Only Day? Which do you think is the better if I want to apply if they don’t hold open days in my country? 🙂 and if ever I get invited to attend in another country, how long do I need to book a hotel for the series of interviews, etc?
Author
Well it’s in the name really – open day is for anybody to attend, invitation only means you have to apply on the website and receive an invitation to attend! I attended in another country – the open day turned into an assessment day and I had my final interview the next day, however your best bet would be to plan 3 days for everything. Good luck 🙂
Get to the apple store and get a new battery 😉
Author
It seems to be working for the moment, if there was an Apple store in Dubai I’d have gone already! I’ll see which layover I’ve got that I can take it with me, haha!
hi rachel, love your blog.
ive got a question. of course i dont wanna make it happen, but i am really curious. did u ever have to face death on board? i mean a passenger who died onboard. what is a standart process in that case?
i really dont wanna make it happen, but my curiosity is huge.
dont answer if you dont feet comfortable with it.
keep posting rachel
love you, bye
Author
Hi there! So far (touch wood) I have never had a death onboard. However it does happen, including to 2 of my close friends. It’s a horrible situation and the captain has to make the decision wether to divert or to continue flying to the destination (depending on how long is left of the flight).
You should definitely do a top 10 destinations like somebody suggested before it would he really interesting I think 😀
The reason why I love your blog is because you are always so positive, unlike other flight attendants on the internet who kinda expose the audience to negative side of the job… When I was reading about being a flight attendant in the Middle East most people say employers there make you work way too much and the lifestyle is really bad on your health so thats why a lot of them leave after few years… It’s kinda discouraging.
Author
Aww thanks so much, I’m really glad you enjoy reading! 🙂 There are plenty of negative moments in the job, however I just choose to post the positive stuff! 🙂 I do really enjoy my job though, hence why I’m still here after 3 years and have just renewed my contract! Of course the lifestyle is not great for your health, but I try to eat as healthily as I can, get some exercise and plenty of sleep!