Welcome back to another roster post! This year has been quite different in terms of rostering, as I’m sure you’ve noticed by now. Slowly but surely, however, things are starting to get back on track a little bit and I’m actually getting a few flights when the roster comes out each month.
This November I’ve had the most flying hours I’ve had all year (well, does January/February even count as this year? It seems like another world away!), with 3 ULR (ultra long range) flights to Houston, Sydney and Chicago.
It’s made me realise just how much I miss flying, and I can’t wait for things to get back to normal, whenever that may be! On that note, my December roster looks like this:
- SEP – Exams
- FRA – Frankfurt, Germany
- CAI – Cairo, Egypt (turnaround)
- Leave
- KRT – Khartoum, Sudan (turnaround)
Starting off the month with my yearly exams, which means it’s time to study! Once a year we have to renew our licenses and make sure we are fully updated on all safety and emergency procedures (SEP). Normally it’s two full days in training college, but due to the pandemic this year the majority needs to be done online beforehand, and then we just have one day in college for exams and some practicals.
My first flight of the month is a 48 hour layover to Frankfurt, Germany. I was there just the month before last, and as usual for all of our layovers these days, I wasn’t able to leave the hotel. I don’t anticipate things changing on that front any time soon, but you never know. I’m itching to get back out and explore, and normally Germany in December would be perfect for a visit to the Christmas markets. Sadly I think that won’t be an option this year!
Up next is a turnaround to Cairo, which is an overnight flight. Flight time should be around 3 hours each way, plus we stay on ground while the cleaners come on and prepare the aircraft for the return sector.
That leads nicely into my annual leave, which unfortunately doesn’t fall over Christmas this year. I was lucky enough to have Christmas off last year, and in our job it’s always a gamble as to whether or not you’ll be off for birthdays, Christmas and special occasions! The UAE has opened up a travel corridor with the UK, which means I’ll be able to fly home and spend time with my family without having to quarantine.
I was actually rostered a Düsseldorf layover directly after my leave over Christmas, but this has been removed, which has left me with some reserve days. I’ll try to extend my leave so I can stay home a few extra days and perhaps even for Christmas Day!
Next up is the last flight of the month, a turnaround to Khartoum, Sudan. I don’t remember ever having done this flight before, but according to the crew portal I’ve actually done it twice! It’s a fairly long day at around 4 hours flight time each way, but nevertheless I’m happy to have all the hours I can get these days.
And just like that, the final roster of 2020 is here! What a crazy year it’s been for everyone, and especially so for the aviation industry. Onwards and upwards for 2021, I think things can only get better from here!
P.s. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter for more day-to-day updates of where I am in the world! π
Great to see another post Rachel and hope you get more regular flights in the coming months. Enjoy the promotion event!
Hi Rachel,
Just checking in to make sure you are ok. I hope you are in the air flying these days and will be back to your blog soon! Here in the United States things are turning the corner and opening up at least in California. Hope they are for you too!
Author
Hi Carla! Thanks so much for your comment π All good over here, just nothing much to post about as sadly we are still not allowed out of the hotel on any of our layovers π Fingers crossed we will be soon then I can get back to posting a bit more regularly!
Hi are you still flying? Been ages since last update!
Author
Hi Adam! Yes I am, although we’re sadly still not allowed out on our layovers so that makes for pretty boring blog content haha!
Rachel,
It has been quite a while since I read your blog. Nice to see you are flying albeit limited. Hats off to the flight attendants like you that risk their lives in every trip during these pandemic times. Just found Emirates has started to fly to Miami not FLL which is alright anyway. Enjoy your 2021 with “back to normal” flights.
-Ken S
Hi Rachel – can you share a bit about how layovers have been impacted by the pandemic? What do you do on layovers now? And are you no longer allowed to venture outside the hotel?
Author
Hi Ayush – you’re right, sadly we’re not allowed out on layovers. As you can imagine it’s pretty boring, I’ve been stuck in hotel rooms for the past year, which doesn’t make for very exciting blog content! Some layovers were are allowed to use the gym and hotel restaurant if they are open.
Thank you very much for these diaries
they really give a sense of what itβs like to be a flight attendant
Author
Thanks so much for reading Sara! π
Thank you Rachel. Always a pleasure to read you.
I wish you give more tiny details onboard aircraft, about galleys, meals issues, even toilets, waste issues, rest areas, turnaround time ( what you do ? ), etc.
A special question: champagne bottle opening ! Risk of cork trajectory ? Even normal wine bottle cork opening, the tire-bouchon could be dangerous. Allowed onboard ?
By the way, the best ever wine I got was a red bourgogne “Cheval Fou” on EK First, in 2010…
Bons vols Rachel
Author
Hi Carlos! Thanks for your comment and sorry I’m only just getting back to you now! I will definitely consider doing another updated post with some more info from onboard π I don’t usually have any issues opening champagne/ wine bottles onboard and I’m sure I’ve opened hundreds by now! π