Rilek1Corner

Tag: stewardess

  • SIA Refutes Netizen’s Claims On MC Rules

    SIA Refutes Netizen’s Claims On MC Rules

    When the death of Singapore Airlines air stewardess, Vanessa Yeap, 38, was reported, tributes began pouring in for her.

    She was found dead in a San Francisco hotel room on Feb 1 (Singapore time) by her colleagues after she failed to turn up at the lobby for the return flight to Singapore.

    She was reportedly ill two days before the incident.

    The cause of death is still under investigation by the authorities there.

    A Facebook user, Philip Lim, on Thursday claimed SIA crew avoid taking sick leave even when ill because it would affect their chances of a promotion.

    He also claimed SIA rewards its flight crew if they maintain an MC-free year.

    He did not reply to queries from The New Paper yesterday.

    SIA refuted his claims.

    An SIA spokesman told TNP yesterday that there is no reward for maintaining an MC-free record.

    She said an MC-free record is a reflection of personal pride and an indication of an employee who manages his health well.

    TNP spoke to two air stewardesses who said there are two categories of medical certificates – casual and non-casual.

    Both of them declined to be named.

    They said when a cabin crew member takes an MC because of a flu or minor ailments such as stomach ache and fever, it is considered a casual MC.

    One of them, who has been with the company for several years, said when they take a casual MC, it can affect their promotion prospects and renewal of contract.

    FEAR

    She claimed she has not taken a casual MC for the past eight years for fear it would affect her record.

    She said: “It prevents people from abusing MCs, but if you’re sick it is a whole different thing.

    “It is easy to spread the flu especially when you are in an enclosed area and the air doesn’t circulate.”

    They said more serious conditions, such as conjunctivitis or torn muscles, are considered non-casual MCs and they will not be penalised for taking them.

    The SIA spokesman added: “Crew members who are given medical leave are encouraged to rest and recuperate at home.

    “Operating with an MC is a disciplinary lapse.

    “Crew members are granted up to 28 days of paid medical leave and six months of paid hospitalisation (non-casual) leave due to chronic or prolonged illness.

    “Crew members diagnosed with tuberculosis or cancer are given additional paid leave.”

    Mr Lim had also claimed points are deducted from crew members’ annual service performance for every MC they take.

    In response to this, the spokesman said: “As with all other businesses, employee productivity and attendance at work is important for a successful airline operation.

    “Although crew attendance is a component in the performance management process, we would like to emphasise that crew performance is nonetheless still measured across many other factors.”

    The second air stewardess said the MC practice should be reviewed.

    She said: “We face issues such as jet lag, adjusting to different temperatures and meal times that could potentially affect our health.

    “A flu can lead to severe consequences. So can that be considered casual?”

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • Dirty Secrets Of A Former Air Stewardess

    Dirty Secrets Of A Former Air Stewardess

    People used to watch as she strutted through the airport. Some would even whip out their phones and cameras to take photos of Joanne and her colleagues walking towards the plane.

    It’s part and parcel of life as air crew. Well, just a small part of it, says Joanne, a former flight stewardess.

    “People think, ‘Wah, so glamorous’. Little do they know that I had to clean toilets on the plane or clean up after passengers when they vomit,” says the 25-year-old, who declines to use her real name.

    As soon as the air crew enter the aircraft, it is crunch time. Seats need to be reset. Headsets need replacing in the seat pockets. Overhead compartments need to be scanned for forgotten items and security threats.

    Complete this, and one still has to deal with the passengers themselves.

    “I’ve had things thrown in my face when we could not fulfil last-minute requests for seat changes. People think that because they paid for the flight, they deserve everything.”

    Worse still are people who try to touch her or take voyeuristic photos.

    Then, there are also the strangest encounters.

    Once, drunk passenger on an Australia-bound flight grew rowdy and helped himself to a bottle of wine in the plane’s galley. He started getting touchy-feely too, but Joanne firmly made him return to his seat.

    Says Joanne: “He was this close to being restrained.”

    BOMB THREAT

    Once, a man accused a group of passengers of carrying a bomb on the plane, shocking others in the process. On the pilot’s orders, she searched the passenger and found drugs instead.

    Another time, an adult passenger went on a hunger strike because he was unhappy with the food. Joanne had to coax him to eat as part of her “good service”.

    “It’s like being a nanny, a security guard and a waitress combined,” says Joanne with a laugh.

    There is a small cabin space for crew to rest. But sometimes, she doesn’t really bother to rest because it might ruin her make-up and hairdo, she confesses.

    Cabin crew take pride in being professional, she says.

    “No matter how tired or frustrated you are, once you leave the crew cabin, you have to put on a smile,” she says.

    Despite the difficulties, working as a flight stewardess can be a rewarding experience because of the travel perks and relatively high salary.

    She has visited nearly every country in the world and got to interact with thousands of people in her two-year stint.

    “I loved trying out the cuisines of the various countries, and it all tasted so good!” she says, singling out Greece and India as memorable gastronomic stops.

    She says she has fantastic memories and good stories to tell of wonderful people and passengers.

    Sheepishly, she says that despite the difficulties during her flight, when she gets a simple “thank you” from a passenger for service rendered, it cancels out all the negatives.

    Joanne left the job as she found greener pastures elsewhere, she says. But she adds that she has no regrets.

    “It is quite an experience, and I have learnt a lot about dealing with people.”

    SECRETS OF THE TRADE

    1 Study your procedures well so you are prepared for every situation. Every passenger relies on you to know what to do.

    2 Carry an extra uniform on board in case of food spillage and airsick passengers — which are very common.

    3 Flight crew are not spared from the possibilities of lost luggage. Make sure you keep a bag of essential items with you so that you can continue working on your return flight.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg