Hi everyone! it’s our third cabin crew feature now! We’re on a roll as we add more people in our Cabin Crew Profiles page. We want to bring these flight attendants as close to you as possible so you can understand that you don’t need to have all that to become a flight steward/stewardess. That these cabin crews are the same as everyone.
Our next feature is Gabby aka the Czech Rambler. She is one bubbly lady who became a cabin crew after a couple of years working as a ground staff. She is based in Dubai and she shares how unpredictable her life has become since this change of career.
From this interview, you can see that there’s lots of opportunities to grow within the company, all that you have to do in the beginning is to get in. Gabby also talks about the good sides and bad sides of this job. Really honest stuff here! Read on.
Cabin Crew Profile: Interview with Gabby of CzechRambler.wordpress.com
“Thanks to my job I get to meet all kinds of creatures I have only seen on pictures… Here is an ostrich and I in Sydney Taronga zoo.”
Can you tell us more about yourself?
Hi everybody!
My name is Gabby. I’m a single child with six siblings – now try and figure this out ! For a very long time I used to think this was the most interesting thing about me but guess what?! Turns out my job is pretty cool as well…And that’s not just me saying it -apparently other people think so too! I’m a cabin crew for an amazing airline in the Middle East- so basically I spend most of my time flying around the globe and getting to know places I didn’t know existed. When I don’t fly I tend to drink coffee and blog about flying. If you don’t find me doing one of those two I’m most probably dead. Or on a date with some hot guy. But to be honest I have been blogging a lot lately . Ok enough about me – did you wanna ask me something about the job now?
Where is your airlines based?
“My” airline is based in Dubai, which us expats tend to call The Sandpit, because that sums it up pretty well. Dubai is a very glamourous and vibrant sandpit – but sandpit nonetheless. It’s a place that can be incredibly fun, welcoming and just generally fantastic – when all your friends are in town… Then occasionally everybody’s flying and it’s dark and hot and humid and Dubai feels like the last place you want to be. Dubai, just like any other place in the world, is just exactly what you make it to be. I have decided to make it my home for now and embraced that decision with all my heart. There are a few things I miss about living in Europe but then on the other hand – there are so many thing I love about living here.
How did you become a cabin crew? How many times did you apply?
I have been working for the Airline as a ground staff for a couple of years already. Then one day I started to feel a need to change something about my life and it never really went away. I was very happy with my employer but not necessarily with my position- so I started looking at different options and came across the cabin crew job opportunity. I have never before considered becoming one but somehow I thought “why not give it go? what’s the worst that could happen?” I filled in an internal application, attended an interview just like anybody else and a couple of weeks later got the job. Having to wait for the results felt very tedious at that time I remember but looking back it all actually happened very quickly. I was living a very steady and normal life for a long time and then one day it just changed and turned completely upside down.
“One of my childhood dreams coming true – flying over the Himalayas and seeing the K2”
Why did you apply for this job? Based on your answer, were those goals justified?
As I mentioned before – I wanted/needed a change. I definitely got that. I also wanted to travel more and live somewhere hot. I got all of that too. On the top of that I actually love my job – which is something I didn’t expect. I thought I’d always have to suffer on board just to get a cool destination and explore it. But then I started flying and realized I really do enjoy being on board and doing what I do for living. And I think it shows since I always get people commenting on my positive energy which is something that never happened in any of my previous jobs.
What’s the best thing about this job?
I guess everybody expects me to say that the best thing about being a cabin crew is that I get to get to travel around the world and get paid for it. I’m not gonna lie- that’s a perk you won’t get just anywhere. But no – the best thing about my job is that every single day is different. I meet heaps of new and interesting colleagues on every flight- if I like them I try my hardest to keep in touch, if I don’t I never have to see them again. Anybody who had spent sometime working in an office can surely appreciate this aspect of my job. Ask me what I’m gonna do on a Friday in three weeks and the answer will be “I don’t know”. Because I honestly don’t … I could be brunching in Dubai or perhaps doing a turnaround to India or if I get lucky getting my autumn shopping done somewhere in Europe or the States. Words like “plans” or “routine” have disappeared from my vocabulary and even from my life. And that’s what I love the most about my job.
Childhood dream came true number II – standing on the Great Wall of China and shouting towards the sky “Can you see me from up there?”
What’s the worst/hardest thing about this job?
So living in the Middle East far far away from my family and friends and life as I knew it I should probably be saying that the separation from my roots is the hardest thing about my job. Or maybe missing all the important life events like graduations and weddings and birthdays… Or maybe having to adjust to a completely new culture … Or the hectic life style that keeps us on our toes at all times. But no, no and no. It is much more rudimental than that. The worst part of my job is the lack of sleep. And every crew will tell you that. You can drive the fastest car and own the newest pair of Louboutins but it means absolutely nothing when you can’t sleep and you toss and turn in your bed suffering from jet lag and insomnia. The world turns into a dark place on occasions like that and you would pay your last Dirham (Dubai currency) for a few hours of a decent sleep.
What were common misconceptions that you found out about cabin crews? Were those misconceptions proven right or wrong?
There is just too many to cover in one interview. Some couldn’t be further from the truth – like the fact that we are just glorified waitresses in the air. I could go on a massive rant about this one but honestly – people who actually believe that are most probably never gonna read this so what’s the point? And some are a bit closer to the bone – like the one that we are not people cut out for relationships and don’t like to commit. New-age sailors, Butterflies… I have heard a lot of names. Well… to be honest I have met a lot of people who do fit that profile but I have also met plenty that are in healthy and steady relationships. I think it’s a matter of personal life choice. As for myself- the only romantic relationship I was able to maintain since starting this job was with myself- and even that one takes a lot of effort.
And then there is the most popular one – that all the female crew are bimbos and the male ones are gay. Well I don’t usually judge people based on their titles or education but I know some other people do – and believe I have flown with architects, teachers. lawyers and doctors- and they weren’t my passengers. I have also come across a few idiots but trust me – that had nothing to do with their profession. And as for the gay thing- this is still the 21st century right?
The first time I got a glimpse of Africa – this picture still gives me goose bumps
Any favorite place/s that you always visit in your flights?
I fell head over heels for China the first time I went and I just love going back there. I can’t quite explain why. It’s just my thing I guess. Africa is another place I’d recommend anybody to go and visit. Everywhere I went I have always felt so welcomed. It is a truly fascinating continent !
What are your tips to cabin crew applicants?
I would encourage anybody to really think about the reasons WHY they wanna become cabin crew. And whether whatever they are giving up for the job is really worth what they are gonna get back. If you have done that and you are still sure this is really what you want to do with your life then GO FOR IT. Don’t let yourself be put down by a rejection or two. Oh and one more thing…. don’t change for the job in any way. No job is worth that. Ever.
How long are you planning to stay in this job? Any plans of transferring to another airline? What motivates you to keep working?
My motivation is quite simply the feeling of sheer happiness I get every time I go to work. And as I long as I keep feeling that way I’ll keep doing what I do. If -one day – I wake up and somehow something has changed overnight I’ll know it’s time to go. As I said – the word “planning” has lost its meaning for the time being.
“One of the most important parts of my job and life in general – my fantastic friends that make it all so much better”
Connect with Czech Rambler:
- Blog: czechrambler.wordpress.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/gabbypra
*Photos provided by Gabby
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Thank you so much for your time and for this interview, Gabby!
We’re on the lookout for cabin crews who want are kind enough to share their stories about their profession. If you want to be featured, drop us a line at admin@cabincrewhq.com.