Hi guys!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas & New Year. I certainly did; I spent my Christmas in Mauritius which was absolutely lovely, and I will post some pictures up on here asap.
I usually post my roster at the end of the month, but since I was so busy with Christmas and then flying straight after my leave, I just haven’t got round to it.
This month I’ve already done my first flight – a trip to LHR. I had a lovely layover at my parent’s house, where mum cooked a delicious roast dinner!
My next flight is to WAW – Warsaw in Poland. I’m very excited as it’s somewhere I’ve never been before and I love exploring new destinations. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to put some pictures up on here! If you have any tips or must-do’s, please do share.
And after that…I’m on reserve!
Finally after over 3 years in the company it’s caught up with me and I’ll be checking my roster everyday at 6pm to see where I’ll end up the next day.
Somehow I’ve managed to avoid getting reserve the whole time I’ve been here (usually by scheduling my leave during my supposed reserve month) but the bidding system has changed which means it’s my turn to play the waiting game all month. It’ll be interesting to see where I end up; I’m hoping for at least one long-haul flight to get my hours up and hopefully a couple of nice layovers!
So that’s it I’m afraid – not a very exciting roster this month, but you never know, I could end up in a totally new destination 🙂
P.s. Follow me on Instagram & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world! 🙂
HI Rachel ! Do you see your self as a long term professional with Emirates? Can an air hostess climb up the ladder of success within the company and reach to greater heights within the company? Do you see your self as an Emirates airline employee for 20-30 or more years as many employees are in many U.S. based airlines? Does Emirates encourage its cabin staff to aspire for higher positions within the company as their experiences with time progresses?
Author
Hi again! Yes, realistically I do see myself staying here for a good while to come, so I might as well make the most of it and climb the career ladder! There are opportunities to go from cabin crew to other roles which are on ground, although for now I still love flying so probably will stay in this role for the foreseeable future. They definitely encourage us to go for higher roles 🙂
Did you have any prior experience or education before becoming an Emirates flight attendant? I’m 21 and in my last year of a Bachelor of Science but I’ve always dreamed of a flight attendant job for a year or two; I love travelling by plane 🙂
Author
I’ve been working part time jobs since I was 15, so I had plenty of working experience, including working abroad, etc. I went to a tourism and hospitality school so I guess that helped a bit. Once you’ve finished your degree you should go for it, it’s so much fun! 🙂
Hi Rachel!
I hope you have a good 2016 and get to travel to new locations around the world!
I have a quick question. What did you study in university? I know a degree is not required but I am curious to know what you studied and whether it gave you an advantage when you applied to work with Emirates! 🙂
Author
Hi there, thank you! 🙂 I actually didn’t go to university, I went to a specialised tourism and hospitality school in Austria then moved straight out here to Dubai when I turned 21! 🙂
Hi Rachel!
Love the blog!! So helpful and fascinating! Just wondering what destinations are over 24hrs in the US?
Are all the layovers 24 hours for NY or are there any longer layovers?
Also how long is the layover for the new MCO fight? Have you been to there yet? Or going to bid for it?
Porché x
Author
Hi there! Thanks for reading, glad you enjoy my blog! Most of the US flights other than JFK, IAD, BOS and ORD are 48 hours! There are 3 flights to JFK and one is 24hrs, one is 31hrs and one is 42hrs! Not sure yet if I’ll bid for the Orlando flight 🙂
Warsaw is amazing! Try Warsaw Ressurection museum and the palace of culture!
Author
Thanks for the tips, I’ll definitely check them out next time I go back to Warsaw!
Hey Rachel!
Just wondering why did EK stop allowing CC wear trousers?
Author
I have no idea, haha!
Hello Rachel. This is the first time I read your diary, and I’m so excited! Totally mad about this Dubai thing.
You inspired me… Let me tell you something about me: I’m from Argentina, South America (have you been here?). I’ve just complete my cabin crew training here, in my country. I sat for Emirates but I failed in the FI, so I’m waiting the 6-so sad-months. Would you tell me a few tips to succed next time?
I totally fell in love with EK from the first time I saw it, I really want to be part of this cool team!
Have a nice journey!
Blue skyes! XO
N.
Author
Hi there! Thanks so much for reading, glad you enjoy my blog! Yes, I went to Buenos Aires last year and I loved it! I can suggest you read my post about tips for the interview and hopefully that will help next time 🙂 http://thedubaidiaries.me/2015/02/22/tips-for-a-cabin-crew-interview/ Good luck! 🙂
Hi Rachel!!!
In your experience, what would the say are the three best and three worst USA destinations for Emirates crew and why? Also, how far in advance do you usually find out the next months roster (excluding reserve month/ standby) and how far into a month can you make swaps for other destinations?
Thanks!
Ariel
Author
I don’t think there are best and worst US flights, it’s just personal preference really! Obviously West Coast flights are a bit longer (16 hours compared to 14 hours to the East Coast) so that could be a factor. You usually get your roster around the 23rd of the month, and you can swap until the 9th of the month!
oh, I just came back from WAW, it’s super cheap and the allowance there is huge for this city haha
go to the old town definitely and try some local food 🙂
Author
I tried some pierogi, so yummy 😀
Hi Rachel I have couple of questions 🙂
In terms of tattoos, is it okay to have one of it’s not visible while wearing a fa uniform?
Can you choose on which fleet are you going to fly on?
What is your fav layover? 🙂
love your blog !
MF
Author
Hi there! Yes tattoos are allowed as long as they are not visible whilst in uniform. Nope, you get assigned your fleet automatically.
That’s a difficult question, I don’t think I could pick a favourite layover! Thanks for reading 🙂
How was Algiers last month? A very unusual destination!
Author
It was very interesting actually, I enjoyed it! If you’re heading there I can recommend checking out the Roman Ruins, Tipaza. 🙂
If you are lucky to get caught out on standby on a flight to CPT, you will be lucky. We have gorgeous weather in South Africa at the moment! Travel safe in 2016 and keep up with the lovely pics of your adventures.
Author
I would love that, Cape Town is so lovely! Did you see me recent post on it? I went up Table Mountain which was gorgeous!
Hi Rachel
With reserve does that mean you are covering for people who have called in sick? And are you likely be back in economy for those flights or will they still only give you business class?
Also, what is the longest trip you would do away from Dubai when adding in flying time, stops and layovers?
Author
Hi there! That’s pretty much exactly what it is, if someone calls in sick or oversleeps, etc. You could end up in economy or even in first class, it just depends on how short on crew they are! The longest trip we have is BKK-SYD-CHC…9 days away! 24hrs in Bangkok, fly to Sydney, 24 hrs there, turnaround to Christchurch, back to Sydney for 48hrs, then back to Bangkok for another 24hrs. Pretty long one!
Hi there
For the Dubai-Bangkok-Sydney-Christchurch flight – is there no layover in Christchurch? Is it strictly fly SYD-CHC on EK418 then fly CHC-SYD again 1.5 hours later on EK419?
Thanks! Loving your blog!(Also did ya hear about the non stop Dubai-Auckland service? Gee that’s a heck of a long flight!)
Author
Hi there! Yep that’s right, no layover in CHC. Once you get back to SYD you get 48 hrs there. I did hear about the DXB-AKL flight, that is one very long flight indeed!
Good luck with your reserve, looking forward to hearing how it turns out. Do you ever have to go to the airport and wait or will you always know by the night before?
Author
Thank you, so far I got a Bombay turnaround on the first day! Yeah, if you have “airport standby” you go to our Headquarters (for 4 hours) and wait to see if they’ll put you on a flight. Otherwise the standby is at home and it’s for either 6 or 8 hours!
You say the bidding system has changed.. is it of more benefit now or has it tightened that it is alot harder to get what you want etc?
Author
To be honest I couldn’t really say, it’s only changed over the past couple of months where I was at the bottom of the seniority rotation so I didn’t bid for much. My top bid should be May or June I think so I’ll know by then if it’s any better!
Hi Rachel 🙂
I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I love it, thank you so much for writing 🙂
In Warsaw I would recommend going to the Old Town which is very beautiful. Lazienki Park is also gorgeous and has a stunning monument to Frederic Chopin and Lazienki Palace is a lovely little palace on the water in the park. I hope you enjoy your layover there 🙂
All the best,
Andrew
Author
Thanks so much for your tips! It was so cold, -12 degrees, so we couldn’t stay out for more than about an hour and a half! I loved the city though so hopefully I’ll get to go back in summer sometime and explore some more! 🙂
Hi Rachel,
is it true there is a policy between the ME3 to not hire former cabin crew from the other carriers in the first three or six months (I don’t remeber the actual time) after leaving the other carrier. Or is this just a rumour?
Thank you for your reply and many regards from Austria 😉
M
Author
Hi there! I think it’s 6 months, although I’ve never heard any official statement! 🙂