90% of the world think we get paid “big” bucks to piss people off. 90% of the time, air travellers will have misconceptions about our job description. And usually, they’re absolutely wrong. Take the Bombay I did today. 90% percent of the passengers I welcomed onboard today had grim faces due certainly to the lack of sleep, the long hours of transit, the previous flight and so forth. Bear in mind the other 10% I didn’t mention, are in fact, kids and I do not take them into account here as they seem to smile 24/7 when they travel by air.
Today was very different from any other Bombay I did in the past (being the Bombay expert, I know what I’m talking about). I actually enjoyed myself so much, I am now taking to the keyboard to rant about it. So the pax boarded with grim faces as always in Dubai. Doing my usual killer smile and very professional ‘Good morning’ I actually managed to get 100% response from them, more so surprising, I even got smiles all round. That’s service recovery for you guys !
The flight was very peaceful, even though we had kids left, right and center. They all behaved like little angels. I sincerely think we made their day. They didn’t expect that kind of service. we made sure everyone got their preferred meal choice (by the way, it’s a right headache) and was so persuasive into getting them to try our finger licking good Veg option that I had so many Non-Veg left by the end of the service that I could feast on chicken myself ! Having crew acting the same way all the way does help heaps. If you had stood at the top of the cabin and looked down, you would of seen every pax smiling their head off. a couple beer and scotch helping for sure, but the sight was very pleasing ! Every passenger called me by my real name, and were very friendly. No hissing, no pants or jacket pulling, no poking, no claps to get my attention, nothing ! nada ! I was surprised as I didn’t expect much of the flight on my own side. Bombay being Bombay and the kind of service we have to fit in 2 hours while they’re all well awake and ready for some grubs, I was impressed.
The atmosphere on the aircraft was soooo laid back you could send jokes here and there to people and they replied with even funnier one-liners. Maybe it’s because it was an Airbus, so less crowded. Maybe it’s because of the beautiful weather they were going to get once they deplaned… I don’t know but I certainly enjoyed the service.
The best moment to judge a flight is the part were they all get up in a rush to be the first ones out. Today, contrary to custom, everyone stayed calmly seated UNTIL THE SEATBELT WAS SWITCHED OFF. And I wasn’t the only crew noticing such good behavior. We usually have to be assertive the second we hit the runway and tell people to sit down but today was all together different. Making multiple PA annoucements etc…
We’re busing around ten of thousands of people. Everyday, no matter the day. Christmas, New Years. Sometime it’s hard on the body. But people do not see behind the scenes, and sometime you wish they did. But unfortunately that wont happen anytime soon. Thankfully we were hired to give service excellence and these are the passengers that are, in the end, paying for our snazz All Star sneakers and Diesel Jeans…[big smile on my face].
One downside. I had a crew travelling as pax, and she was probably the worst one today. Not saying thank you, avoiding eye-contact and being a total….erm…………..whatever. Snatching drinks from you and so on. I got her name down, as soon as I fly with her, she’ll get to know me !
So voila. A little effort from both side could lead to a real good flight.
I got her name down, as soon as I fly with her, she’ll get to know me !
Hilarious! You are too much…Now if only the same level of service could be provided on a Karachi flight!! (You know where I am coming from with that)
I liked your post Ben. The flight is what you make of it. You are very professional and very dedicated to your work so it is great and you make the best out of it. My last flight was super, nice crew and all, but we had to delay take of because a paraplegic passenger was totally refusing to put his seatbelt. Turns out he was a Silver skywards member and we still managed to give him an extraordinary service after that little episode. He left the plane saying we were the most amazing economy crew he had ever seen on Emirates! The point is, any flight we get or situation we encounter, if we stay positive and give the best of ourselves, it can be a great flight!
hope to see you soon!
ps: are you going to move to Al Barsha?
pss:I just did Nujoum and it was fun and surprising, the company did go out of their way to make it a special day. Did you do it yet?
If you look at the reviews on airlinequality.com you will see that the Emirates cabin crew have been referred to as a “Bag of mixed nuts” a couple of times.
http://www.airlinequality.com/Forum/emrts.htm
So while you might be going the extra the mile to provide superb service, there might be others in your group who might be doing just the opposite. Now I’d hope to find crew like you guys on my flights!
LOL I can’t help but read every single sentence with sarcasm !!! I was waiting for you to say SIKE at one point…OH well I guess we are entitled to nice surprises from time to time.
eheh. Thanks.
Well done BR.
I will be tweeting this!
Ahaha thanks Fahad. You’re on Twitter ?? I need to follow you ASAP !
I have been flying heaps by Emirates lately. Yesterday BAH-BNE (economy) and BAH-IAH (Houston) business. I am more than aware how hard you guys work from reports I get from colleagues, so I was surprised to get the level of service I have been given lately. Of course I noticed it moreso in business as there are resources to receive a more specialised service, but even my economy trip (special meal included) was a breeze! I’ll fly Emirates whenever I have the choice!
Lol that photo of the DJ crew is a classic! Wonder if they know they are on Airboy? hehehehe
Ahah. All I typed in google was Virgin Cabin Crew and that came in as the first result !
The girls in the red uniforms could be Virgin cabin crew. The crews on this page are undoubtedly Southwest, yes?
Yes Virgin on homepage and Southwest here !