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Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Met ugly ex crew
I have not been blogging very much the last 1 week. Reason?....because of the festive mood la. Spent lots of time roaming the street and guess what? I met a few ex crew. It's not that I am happy to meet them but it gives me reasons to blog about them.
I met an ex ifs who had retired (I hope so). Let's call him mj. He looked like a pig,yes i mean fat like a pig. He looked haggard and worst still he was drunk. Mj was a lazy pig when he was flying.He was freaking dishonest too. Let me tell you an incident which my ex colleague who flew him told us.
It happened like this: When mj checked into a hotel in LAX,the hotel staff issued him 19 free drink coupons for him and his crew (to be used in the hotel bar). He gave 1 to his cce and pocketed the rest for himself. He deceived his crew by denying that the hotel had stopped issuing the drink coupons. His crew found out that msj had a girlfriend in LA and had used the coupons to entertain her.
The funny thing was his so called gf after drinking with him in the hotel stole his wallet and absconded. Serves him rite this mj asshole.
Mj is an alcoholic till today ( like I said he was pissed when I met him). His wife left him for another crew.They didn't have children.
The next day after I met msj,I also met another retired senior crew.This one is also an alcoholic. His hands were shaking badly as he strecthed out to shake mine (actually it was out of courtesy I shook his hands but I dreaded it).
He told me he was working in a few places after he left the airlines. He didn't stay long in his job.He also invested in a catering business but lost lots of money. He closed shop after that. Let's call him P (for pariah).
An ex colleague who knew P better than me had told me about him earlier. According to him P was a freaking lazy bugger. I knew that because we worked with each other for years in the airline. But P took his lazy habit to his new found jobs. He drank with his customers until he was so bloody pissed that he couldn't supervised his staff. This went on for months and finally his boss (his good fren)has to boot him. I alos heard that a fren was trying to help P to his feet by partnering him in a business venture. His poor fren I was told had to do all the running and hardwork while P was drinking all day. Believe you me,P didn't even bother to open his email to look out for customers' orders. He opened his email once in 5 to 7 days and by that time all his customers had gone to other companies.
Real sad when I heard about P. But you know what? P has an ego that's as big as the unniverse and that's why none of us dare to correct or advise him.
I met an ex ifs who had retired (I hope so). Let's call him mj. He looked like a pig,yes i mean fat like a pig. He looked haggard and worst still he was drunk. Mj was a lazy pig when he was flying.He was freaking dishonest too. Let me tell you an incident which my ex colleague who flew him told us.
It happened like this: When mj checked into a hotel in LAX,the hotel staff issued him 19 free drink coupons for him and his crew (to be used in the hotel bar). He gave 1 to his cce and pocketed the rest for himself. He deceived his crew by denying that the hotel had stopped issuing the drink coupons. His crew found out that msj had a girlfriend in LA and had used the coupons to entertain her.
The funny thing was his so called gf after drinking with him in the hotel stole his wallet and absconded. Serves him rite this mj asshole.
Mj is an alcoholic till today ( like I said he was pissed when I met him). His wife left him for another crew.They didn't have children.
The next day after I met msj,I also met another retired senior crew.This one is also an alcoholic. His hands were shaking badly as he strecthed out to shake mine (actually it was out of courtesy I shook his hands but I dreaded it).
He told me he was working in a few places after he left the airlines. He didn't stay long in his job.He also invested in a catering business but lost lots of money. He closed shop after that. Let's call him P (for pariah).
An ex colleague who knew P better than me had told me about him earlier. According to him P was a freaking lazy bugger. I knew that because we worked with each other for years in the airline. But P took his lazy habit to his new found jobs. He drank with his customers until he was so bloody pissed that he couldn't supervised his staff. This went on for months and finally his boss (his good fren)has to boot him. I alos heard that a fren was trying to help P to his feet by partnering him in a business venture. His poor fren I was told had to do all the running and hardwork while P was drinking all day. Believe you me,P didn't even bother to open his email to look out for customers' orders. He opened his email once in 5 to 7 days and by that time all his customers had gone to other companies.
Real sad when I heard about P. But you know what? P has an ego that's as big as the unniverse and that's why none of us dare to correct or advise him.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
SVP wants "swee sweet" girls.
Heard tat the current svp cc instructed the interviewers to only recruit nice looking girls as stewardesses. He can do tat just for now because he does not require many cc.In fact, he took in less than 3% of the candidates interviewed in the last 2 recruitment exercises. In the next few months we will see whether his instruction is any good or not.
Come on la tell me which boss does not want the "swee swee" or nice looking girls huh? Even in Geylang if one is not the "swee swee"type where can one get customers rite?
All the previous svps aso want good looking and sexy girls as stewardesses but due to the supply and demand situation then even the "langar lorry" types got recruited.
Aiya history will repeat itself la....just mark my words (like I said SIA share will reach $14 again when it was $9 almost a year ago and few believe me...of course la those who have faith in me are now laughing their way to the bank).
I dun have to be an economist to know the law of supply and demand cos common sense will tell tat I am not wrong.
Btw most if not all the svps were at least 2nd class upper honors degree holder. As for me,I hold a MCBS and tat's why I am seldom wrong.
Come on la tell me which boss does not want the "swee swee" or nice looking girls huh? Even in Geylang if one is not the "swee swee"type where can one get customers rite?
All the previous svps aso want good looking and sexy girls as stewardesses but due to the supply and demand situation then even the "langar lorry" types got recruited.
Aiya history will repeat itself la....just mark my words (like I said SIA share will reach $14 again when it was $9 almost a year ago and few believe me...of course la those who have faith in me are now laughing their way to the bank).
I dun have to be an economist to know the law of supply and demand cos common sense will tell tat I am not wrong.
Btw most if not all the svps were at least 2nd class upper honors degree holder. As for me,I hold a MCBS and tat's why I am seldom wrong.
Monday, December 21, 2009
I aso got picture of my crew la
Not to be outdone by Luke I aso got a picture of my crew la...albeit 25 and more yrs ago.Can u see the boys'tie small small ones and hairstyle like Elvis Presely? ..hahaha. Most of the crew in the picture had left SIA oredi la and some are in their late 40s.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Pipe smoking passenger.
This passenger lighted his pipe on a flight.The cabin crew tried to stop him but to no avail. He was aggresive and abusive towards the cc. The commander of the flight was informed of the situation. He made an annoucement ordering the said passenger to put out his pipe but the passenger refused.
Smoking pipes and cigars is a safety hazard and being in a closed environment like in an aircraft could be offensive to fellow passengers.
The commander left his cockpit and visited the pipe smoking passenger. After much persuasion and repeated refusal to put out his pipe,the captain grabbed a fire extingusher and pointed at the passenger. Before he could pull the trigger,the passenger suddenly fell on his knee and beg for mercy. The pipe was put out by the cc. The passenger slumped in his seat in shame and slept throught out the flight.
Smoking pipes and cigars is a safety hazard and being in a closed environment like in an aircraft could be offensive to fellow passengers.
The commander left his cockpit and visited the pipe smoking passenger. After much persuasion and repeated refusal to put out his pipe,the captain grabbed a fire extingusher and pointed at the passenger. Before he could pull the trigger,the passenger suddenly fell on his knee and beg for mercy. The pipe was put out by the cc. The passenger slumped in his seat in shame and slept throught out the flight.
Friday, December 18, 2009
So choosy ah?
SQ stopped recruiting cabin crew for at least 10 months during the recession of 2009.
Now it's back to recruiting again since Nov 2009. Since then it has done 2 recruitment exercises.
Many cc aspirants have complained about how strict SQ is. Heard that out of the 600 plus candidates interviewed only about 20 were successful.
There were long queue of wannabes waiting to be shortlisted for the last walk-in interview at Suntec but many had been told to submit their application forms and return on another day for their interview.
The write in interview closing date was brought forward a few days to the disappointment of many wannabes in November.
Right now SQ is choosy over who they want to employ because they think they do not need that many cc. But given another few months,they will go down on their knees so to speak to recruit people. Then we will see how choosy or picky they are.
They can't go on like this because the passenger load is picking up fast and furious. There will be many flights leaving with minus crew. The crew will then be over stretched and the union will be after the management's neck. In the end,SQ will start to more liberal in it's recruitment. Remember that as the economy is picking up more companies are also rushing out to recruit staff. By then the pie will shrink and it would be more difficult to get good people.
I still remember the time SQ was so very short of crew that we interviewers were chided by our bosses for being too overly strict in recruiting people. In fact at one time SQ even lower it's minimum requirement to "N" level instead of the usual "O" with 5 credits including English and above.
To all wannabes I have this to say to you: All is not lost cos we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.....SIA is recruiting again on 10 January 2010 in S'pore and 16 Jan in KUL.... and this is just the beginning cos there will be many more recruitment to come,that's my bet cos boh tong can't be wrong la...hahaha.
Now it's back to recruiting again since Nov 2009. Since then it has done 2 recruitment exercises.
Many cc aspirants have complained about how strict SQ is. Heard that out of the 600 plus candidates interviewed only about 20 were successful.
There were long queue of wannabes waiting to be shortlisted for the last walk-in interview at Suntec but many had been told to submit their application forms and return on another day for their interview.
The write in interview closing date was brought forward a few days to the disappointment of many wannabes in November.
Right now SQ is choosy over who they want to employ because they think they do not need that many cc. But given another few months,they will go down on their knees so to speak to recruit people. Then we will see how choosy or picky they are.
They can't go on like this because the passenger load is picking up fast and furious. There will be many flights leaving with minus crew. The crew will then be over stretched and the union will be after the management's neck. In the end,SQ will start to more liberal in it's recruitment. Remember that as the economy is picking up more companies are also rushing out to recruit staff. By then the pie will shrink and it would be more difficult to get good people.
I still remember the time SQ was so very short of crew that we interviewers were chided by our bosses for being too overly strict in recruiting people. In fact at one time SQ even lower it's minimum requirement to "N" level instead of the usual "O" with 5 credits including English and above.
To all wannabes I have this to say to you: All is not lost cos we can see the light at the end of the tunnel now.....SIA is recruiting again on 10 January 2010 in S'pore and 16 Jan in KUL.... and this is just the beginning cos there will be many more recruitment to come,that's my bet cos boh tong can't be wrong la...hahaha.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Why cc cannot be terrorists.
The reasons cc cannot be terrorists:
1) They can't keep secret...loves to talk about themselves.
2)CC are trained to like and serve people not harm them.
3)CC likes to post pictures of themselves in facebooks,blogs etc.
3)They would not die for anybody not even their own airlines...
4) They are more comfortable carrying LV and branded bags than guns & explosives.
5)Basically they are NATO people i.e No Action Talk Only.
6) Flying roster too tight so no time for training.
7) After retirement at best they can be, are taxi drivers or give talk to cc wannabe.
8)They're already worried abt the packs of non-duty paid cigarettes in their bags (kena check by customs) to bother about other things.(this one contributed by Lily Ann our ex stewardess)
Above is written in jest so don't take it too seriously......
1) They can't keep secret...loves to talk about themselves.
2)CC are trained to like and serve people not harm them.
3)CC likes to post pictures of themselves in facebooks,blogs etc.
3)They would not die for anybody not even their own airlines...
4) They are more comfortable carrying LV and branded bags than guns & explosives.
5)Basically they are NATO people i.e No Action Talk Only.
6) Flying roster too tight so no time for training.
7) After retirement at best they can be, are taxi drivers or give talk to cc wannabe.
8)They're already worried abt the packs of non-duty paid cigarettes in their bags (kena check by customs) to bother about other things.(this one contributed by Lily Ann our ex stewardess)
Above is written in jest so don't take it too seriously......
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Colonial Ang Moh pilots & management staff.
In the 1960s when I joined the airlines there were many English pilots. There were few local captains. The English captains behaved like yaya papaya and the local pilots were darn scared of them. Even the cc were scared of these ang moh pilots. There were the colonial rulers and were imparting their flying skills and knowledge to the locals.
The cc were also trained by BOAC (predecessor to BA la) people how to serve the passengers. The first few batches of cc were trained in London (like real...big deal!). If anyone of us failed the exams or misbehaved ourselves we would placed on the first flight out of London. Then back home we would be booted out of the company.
Do you know the so-called CEO was also an ang moh chap, so was the Sales & Marketing director and in fact most of the directors. Remember that "Cheap Executive Officer" by the name of David Craig? There was another director called "Howling"....KNN always howl at us whenever we made mistakes on board.
The flight operations director was a Capt. Kopi Susu ( Brown la) and also a Brit. I think all are now 6 feet underground.
The cc were also trained by BOAC (predecessor to BA la) people how to serve the passengers. The first few batches of cc were trained in London (like real...big deal!). If anyone of us failed the exams or misbehaved ourselves we would placed on the first flight out of London. Then back home we would be booted out of the company.
Do you know the so-called CEO was also an ang moh chap, so was the Sales & Marketing director and in fact most of the directors. Remember that "Cheap Executive Officer" by the name of David Craig? There was another director called "Howling"....KNN always howl at us whenever we made mistakes on board.
The flight operations director was a Capt. Kopi Susu ( Brown la) and also a Brit. I think all are now 6 feet underground.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Forum is almost dead!
Last chance to participate in this forum.It has been very quiet and hope it would not be deleted. Come and participate by joining and posting some news or article etc
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
He is fed up of flying
Dilemma said...
Currently, I do not enjoy flying anymore and things have changed tremendously since the day I joined. There are too many rules & regulations now and this does not allow us to be creative. Also the people flying today are different. No more exchange of ideas,camaradie,taking care of each other, etc.I planned to leave next month but my family did not approve. I do not mind getting paid $1200. Thought of working in a foodcourt. I guess if I leave, I have to sell my condo, and to cut down my contribution to my parents. What you all say?? Any suggestion??
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:27:00 PM
Currently, I do not enjoy flying anymore and things have changed tremendously since the day I joined. There are too many rules & regulations now and this does not allow us to be creative. Also the people flying today are different. No more exchange of ideas,camaradie,taking care of each other, etc.I planned to leave next month but my family did not approve. I do not mind getting paid $1200. Thought of working in a foodcourt. I guess if I leave, I have to sell my condo, and to cut down my contribution to my parents. What you all say?? Any suggestion??
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 1:27:00 PM
Monday, December 07, 2009
My New Forum
Please come la and join my new forum, created specially for you my dear and loyal readers.
Click here to join. It's new so not many topics yet but it will grow.
This forum is for a trial period only.It will expire on 6 Jan 2010. The subscription is about S$12 a month and if it's popular I do not mind paying and continuing using it. Otherwise,it will lapsed on 6 Jan. So come and support la.
Click here to join. It's new so not many topics yet but it will grow.
This forum is for a trial period only.It will expire on 6 Jan 2010. The subscription is about S$12 a month and if it's popular I do not mind paying and continuing using it. Otherwise,it will lapsed on 6 Jan. So come and support la.
Captain "Caviar"
He was nicknamed Capt Caviar because of his love for freeee caviar from the aircraft. He would pretend to be very nice and caring towards the IFS (Inflight Supervisor) so he could get his caviar even before they were served to the first class passengers.
Caviar is a delicacy which is expensive and used to be served to the first class paxs. Today,few airlines serve caviar on their flights because of the limited sturgeons (almost extinct),the fish that produced the caviar.
As a policy,the pilots are allowed to eat the economy class meals before the economy paxs. For first and business class meals they are allowed only after the paxs have eaten and there are extra portions left. They have prioirity over the cabin crew.
Even the captains are not served the other meal courses like caviar,desserts etc except fruits and beverages. Therefore if one is nice to the cc-in-charge like the ifs,one may be able to have a first class a la carte meal service(course by course)served by the stewardesses with the blessings of the cc-in-charge.
So you can see why capt caviar was nice to the ifs. But many cc also could see that capt caviar was only nice to the ifs and not them.
If for any reason capt caviar was not entertained with the caviar course,one could jolly well see his face turned "black"throughout the flight. He would also find fault with the cc. To many cc he was an asshole,a hypocrite and a 'yau kee'(greedy)capt.
We once witnessed him banging the check-in counter when he couldn't get the seat of his choice for his holiday flight. He intimidated the check-in staff and shouted at them (poor staff)when it wasn't their fault (policy was to let revenue paxs have the choice of seats over staff). But with cc he wouldn't dare because he jolly well knew that the cc will "pui pui" into his food and drinks.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish" was the favourite phrase used by many cc on the day capt caviar retired.
Caviar is a delicacy which is expensive and used to be served to the first class paxs. Today,few airlines serve caviar on their flights because of the limited sturgeons (almost extinct),the fish that produced the caviar.
As a policy,the pilots are allowed to eat the economy class meals before the economy paxs. For first and business class meals they are allowed only after the paxs have eaten and there are extra portions left. They have prioirity over the cabin crew.
Even the captains are not served the other meal courses like caviar,desserts etc except fruits and beverages. Therefore if one is nice to the cc-in-charge like the ifs,one may be able to have a first class a la carte meal service(course by course)served by the stewardesses with the blessings of the cc-in-charge.
So you can see why capt caviar was nice to the ifs. But many cc also could see that capt caviar was only nice to the ifs and not them.
If for any reason capt caviar was not entertained with the caviar course,one could jolly well see his face turned "black"throughout the flight. He would also find fault with the cc. To many cc he was an asshole,a hypocrite and a 'yau kee'(greedy)capt.
We once witnessed him banging the check-in counter when he couldn't get the seat of his choice for his holiday flight. He intimidated the check-in staff and shouted at them (poor staff)when it wasn't their fault (policy was to let revenue paxs have the choice of seats over staff). But with cc he wouldn't dare because he jolly well knew that the cc will "pui pui" into his food and drinks.
"Good riddance to bad rubbish" was the favourite phrase used by many cc on the day capt caviar retired.
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Eddie J's birthday party on Friday nite.
Got this news from Luke's blog about ex cabin crew SVP Eddie J's birthday party at S'pore Island Country Club on 4 Dec. I was told it was Edd's 70th B/D.
Heard also there were many guests like 100 invited. Wondered why wasn't his former bosses there? Most guests were his friends and subordinates like his CCEs,Mangers and VPs. Hmmm....we know Edd to be a sincere and honest man who does not suck up to his bosses. Good on you mate! But why didn't you invite me huh?? I am not Patrick or Jeffery you know?...hehehe.
Heard also there were many guests like 100 invited. Wondered why wasn't his former bosses there? Most guests were his friends and subordinates like his CCEs,Mangers and VPs. Hmmm....we know Edd to be a sincere and honest man who does not suck up to his bosses. Good on you mate! But why didn't you invite me huh?? I am not Patrick or Jeffery you know?...hehehe.
Saturday, December 05, 2009
At last we hear from stewardess Beh
So long no hear from stewardess Beh but she's back blogging again and this time it's about her "awesome" senior hehehe.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Dun pray pray it's the minister's residence
Just a few days back I drove passed a house in Bukit Timah area and noticed Gurkha guards patrolling the area. My friend told me the house belonged to a Singapore minister. He must be a hotshot minister otherwise he would be having the local police guarding his house and not Gurkha. I told my friend to be on the best behaviour otherwise we might get into trouble.
This minister house and the Gurkha guards reminded me of a steward who was sacked because he was behaving "disorderly" near the residence of another hotshot minister some 30 years ago.
What actually happened was the steward,an Indian guy was trying to jump across a drain but fell and created a commotion. The Gurkha guards picked him up and he smelled of alcohol.He was apparently drunk and so the guards arrested him. He was let off,I think or was he charged? I can't remember because it happened so very long ago. The case was reported in the local newspaper. The airline was embarrassed by the incidence and it didn't take long before the steward was sacked.
Advice from an ex cabin crew
I am an ex crew.
The work that cabin crew do is admirable. It takes a lot of energy and planning, even to just serve a tray of drinks.
Things like looking out for bits and pieces of plastic that is left inside the plastic cups, before pouring water etc.. looking out for other crew members while opening compartments because the galleys are very compact.
Ensuring that the plastic cups are aligned and sitting squarely on the tray. Looking out for blankets that may trip you as you proceed out into the cabin. Turning around carefully, so as not to bump into anything or anyone and spilling the whole tray.
To any non-crew, this all sound trivial, as they are unaware of the work environment.
Nonetheless, I suggest that crew should plan their exit from the airline.
The employment scene outside of the airline is just as good. In fact, you may get far better recognition and career prospects than staying where you are.
Your drive and passion that you have while serving at 30,000 feet and walking all the way to SYD, tolerating the nonsense from demanding pax, is exactly the same quality that will propel you to a satisfying outcome.
And, yes, you will get more than $3800 nett. sometimes with less working hours and less hassel in getting that hard earned ticket to Rome or Mexico.. without being treated as 2nd class baggage by balloting and begging to get leave using your leave points.
But, ( there is always a but ) if you feel comfortable with the predictable turnarounds, the leave balloting, the management style of pushing the envelope, the annual SEP tests, the anxiety of taxi pick ups at 5am, the curt, in-your-face style of Control centre.... then by all means, stay!
And, in that case, shut up and accept your fate, accept whatever the Union has arranged and stop gripping!
Its not the end of the world if you do not have free tickets to travel annually! its not the end of the world if you cannot shop at the 100Yen shop and it is not the end if you cannot eat pizza/spaghetti in FRA.
The world outside of the airline is equally exciting, if not more.
You were attracted by the bright lights and the allure of being a cabin crew.You got in, you experienced it. Its a feather in your cap. Time to move on to new challenges... to stay on might dull your sense of adventure and your spirit of enterprise.
I know, because, I have: been there
done that. $3800 to stay? right.
and you will leave if you get more or equal to that?
In that case, you better stay.. since money is prime for you.
I am advocating that crew should leave because the airline is NOT going to shelter you for life.
Neither is the next employer.
It is your drive and passion that got you into the airline, and so, before that runs out, leave and establish your worth where it will be rewarded... instead of waiting for the Union or Management to reward you! Is this so difficult?
I would like to thank BT for the opportunity to use your blog to post my views.
Thank you and have a merry xmas, and jolly time with all you hold close..
Best wishes also to all crew..!
BT: Well said and thank you very much for your contribution
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