Emirates - Wannabes & Recruitment X
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Argentina
Age: 38
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
want to fly
Sorry to read that you haven't made it this time! But try again!
Do you find there was anything different this time from the previous? Are you hesitant with anything you did or said this time? (sometimes we know the answer deep inside) And the previous?
Well, you reached the FI two times so the thing that prevents you from getting in must be something you're able to change in a year's time. Meditate a lot... you'll find it! At least next time you'll be more relaxed, knowing what to expect.
On this side, today I received an invitation email for a kind of "OD with invitation"
conducted by the appointed agency in my country. It's held a day before the actual OD, and thanks heaven I booked my flight for earlier that same day (the interview is at 7PM)
Now I'm nervous, it's next Friday.
Sorry to read that you haven't made it this time! But try again!
Do you find there was anything different this time from the previous? Are you hesitant with anything you did or said this time? (sometimes we know the answer deep inside) And the previous?
Well, you reached the FI two times so the thing that prevents you from getting in must be something you're able to change in a year's time. Meditate a lot... you'll find it! At least next time you'll be more relaxed, knowing what to expect.
On this side, today I received an invitation email for a kind of "OD with invitation"
conducted by the appointed agency in my country. It's held a day before the actual OD, and thanks heaven I booked my flight for earlier that same day (the interview is at 7PM)
Now I'm nervous, it's next Friday.
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Dubai
Age: 40
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
@ want_to_fly
Sorry to hear that man 
I know how you feel... actually lots of us here do.... just remember that a new year full of dreams and a lot of work lies ahead of you...
I know you maybe never met someone from this forum in person but please keep in mind that a kind word, a good advice and a lot of support you can find here anytime
Be well
I know how you feel... actually lots of us here do.... just remember that a new year full of dreams and a lot of work lies ahead of you...
I know you maybe never met someone from this forum in person but please keep in mind that a kind word, a good advice and a lot of support you can find here anytime
Be well
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Buenos Aires
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Age limit...
Hey guys! I won't be able to make it to the next interview in my city (I am working and I am new at my current job, so I can't take the day off) so I will go to the next one next month...
My question is, I am 29 (30 in June) what's the age limit Emirate has to apply? Or am I "too old" already???
Please if anybody knows, let me know! THANKS!!
My question is, I am 29 (30 in June) what's the age limit Emirate has to apply? Or am I "too old" already???
Please if anybody knows, let me know! THANKS!!
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Argentina
Age: 38
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Misled cant you go to the Od at any time between 10.30 and 17? At what time do you work?
Im going, but yesterday got an invite to the 13th at 19hs!!
And about the age, Ek does not have an official limit but they dont hire older than 35. Good luck!
Im going, but yesterday got an invite to the 13th at 19hs!!
And about the age, Ek does not have an official limit but they dont hire older than 35. Good luck!
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Romania
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi everybody!
As you ca see I am new here.
I want to ask you guys if is anybody here from Portugal or anybody that will go on 21april in Lisbon to the interview with emirates?
I am going and I want to find some information.
Thank you!
"
everybody!As you ca see I am new here.
I want to ask you guys if is anybody here from Portugal or anybody that will go on 21april in Lisbon to the interview with emirates?
I am going and I want to find some information.
Thank you!
"
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: london
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
statut still applied after 5 weeks!
Hi!
I don t know what to think.It s driving me crazy.
All my selections mates got their GC or rejection mail.
My statut is still applied and it s going to be 5 weeks after my FI.
Does it mean that my application hasn t been accepted?
Have you had the same experience and finally got the golden call?
I don t know what to think.It s driving me crazy.
All my selections mates got their GC or rejection mail.
My statut is still applied and it s going to be 5 weeks after my FI.
Does it mean that my application hasn t been accepted?
Have you had the same experience and finally got the golden call?
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reality of living in Dubai and being cabin crew for Emirates
Reality of working as cabin crew for Emirates and living in Dubai...
I’ll start from the beginning...
I went on Emirates website, checked out their Open Days in my closest city and registered (or whatever you needed to do). The day came, I had my resume with all my photocopied certificates with me, I had my hair done nicely, my make-up nice with red lipstick and business clothes on (black knee length skirt, white shirt, black jacket, medium height black thick heels on and DON’T forget you must wear stockings (also NO pants for girls).
There were about 300 people on this open day. We watched a promotional video, questions and answers etc, then one by one had approx about a 1 minute chat with one of the recruiters whilst handing in our resume and doing a height reach test. If you couldn’t make the height (without shoes) with reaching a bar at their required height then you were out straight away. They told everyone if you were successful today you would receive a phone call later that afternoon. Sure enough my call came, was told the time to come the next day and I brought another copy with resume etc with me with my same clothes on I had the day before.
During the second day, there were constant tests, paperwork firstly and I’d say approx 100-120 people left. One on one interviews a bit longer this time, group tests/problem solving, public speaking etc. At the start of the day we had a stickered number on our jacket, and throughout the day after each set of tests we would be called out in our numbers in order and got given a folded piece of paper, we were told to open only once exiting the room. Say if I was number 8, my paper then said “successful for the next round, come back in the room in 10 mins” others say number 76 got the letter “sorry unsuccessful this round” and could go straight away. There were people crying and people happy... Remember this happened a few times throughout the day, very daunting and nerve wrecking to say the least!
Day 3 around 40-50 people left. More tests etc more in depth scenarios and questions, same culling process with the numbers and folded papers. End of the day there were 20 of us left, we all had to do a physiologist test with numbers, shapes and MORE paperwork. We were told what to bring for our Final Interview in the next coming days.
Final Interview day, maybe 3-4 days later for me (lucky because it gave me time to get photos taken etc) my interview was in a room with the biggest board room table I’ve ever seen and two of the recruiters on the other side VERY INTIMIDATING!!! My interview lasted about 45 minutes from memory (each person differs) and was told after to just await email or call whatever.
Weeks went by and eventually the dreaded “sorry” email... devastated to say the least, I really wanted it. I blamed it on my age that and wishing that I was 21 already but they said in the interview if you turn 21 in the next 3 months it’s fine. I don’t think I should’ve bothered.
About 8-9 months later (I was 21 years of age by this time, it’s a requirement of Emirates) I did the exact same, went to the Open Day but in the open day they saw that I had gotten to the Final Interview before and said sorry can’t apply yet as you have to wait a full year before re-applying. So annoyed, I’d gotten ready, organised EVERYTHING again took the day off work, travelled an hour through busy traffic to get told “sorry” straight away! The annoying thing for me was that I had been told I’d have to wait 6 months before re-applying and now all of a sudden 1 year?! ANGRY FACE!!! However that was it...
A few years went by and decided to apply again... I went through the whole process as described above and this time I found this forum. It helped me a lot! I even found a few people from around the world who were at the exact process time as me (for example medicals etc) and even became part of each other’s batch group in training! So it helps to talk to people on here and just a hint any question you’re wanting to ask, good chance it’s already been asked and answered just read back...take the time and if not ASK don’t be afraid to ask even if you feel it sounds stupid, you want to know and maybe others are burning to ask the same question but don’t know how or to scared about other people’s comments (and by that I mean the meanies, let them be!)
Anyway my application status changed all the time (it did take forever mind you but it did happen) and before I knew it I had to gather lots of documents and scanned documents and photographs and medicals etc! Medicals were the worst part, not only talking about having to get all those horrible injections done, blood tests and x-rays but in general trying to make your doctor hurry up and get it all done was annoying because you had to rely on other people to get your stuff done when there was a deadline to be met by Emirates!!! I emailed Emirates to tell them that I had not yet received one blood test result and as soon as I had it I would scan and email straight away and at least your letting them know of the delay (not your fault) but that it’s on the way soon.
Time went by, I had done everything...still playing the waiting game and then BAM unknown foreign number rang me “It must be my GOLDEN CALL” I thought!!! And I was right! I got my Date of leaving my Country and some more talk and info in regards to tickets etc and that was it I GOT THE JOB AND I’M ON MY WAY TO DUBAI!!!
About a month later it was that time, my bags packed said my goodbyes and found a few girls from same Country flying out same time as me so that was good, we were able to lean on each other for support with goodbye tears flowing! It was such a hard moment but such an exciting one too!
About half way through the flight until we landed I was pretty emotional, all I could think of was “what am I doing and why am I doing this?!!!!” I wasn’t the only one the other girls lost I too... Finally after 14-15 hours of flying we were in Dubai!
We were meant to be picked up by the Marhaba or whatever they were called, firstly hard to find and secondly out of us four girls they only had down two hmmmmm? Anyway we experienced their culture straight away by having to go into a womans only line to get pictures of our eyes taken or whatever it was for and in the meantime one of the girls completely broke down she was so distraught and during the whole flight she was the strongest out of us all I guess it bottled up in her and finally exploded!!!
We got separated to go to our new home, lucky for me, one of the girls was placed in the same building as me so at least we got to stay together for that road trip. One girl was placed out in the desert near xxxx and the other in xxxx I think. We were placed in a little one called xxxx not very known but at least not out in nowhere’s land!
When I arrived in my apartment no-one was home, feeling so alone and hungry I just didn’t know where to start! I was put in room B, so I had to share the bathroom/shower etc with whoever was is bedroom C and bedroom A person got their own bathroom and walk in wardrobe! How is that fair but anyway a few days later bedroom A girl arrived, she was nice luckily ( the other girl who was put in same building as me was with a flat mate who was just angry, mean all the time) and I found out that there was no-one in bedroom C person yet... During a few weeks of my training a new girl came into bedroom C and man was she a messy person (I’m very neat) it was soooo annoying she left hair here, there make-up smudged on stuff as well as mine and treated the bathroom and kitchen like only she lived there! And not to mention she would SLAM the door (very irritating when you’re trying to sleep after a long flight or early morning wake-up call!!!)
Anyway after I while I decided I’d had enough of living with her even though the other girl was nice, she had everything to herself and hardly wasn’t there as she’d go to her boyfriends apartment so I found out that there was a room vacant a few floors down and it was a bedroom A! Meaning own bathroom, I decided to stay in the same little building because by this time I now knew my way around... a bit!!! And my friend who got placed in same building was there plus we loved our rooftop pool best one out of all the buildings I swear! The building itself a bit old, power plugs things on the walls hanging out a lot of safety issues but hey it’s Dubai (you’ll know what I mean once you’re there!) BUT that’s a whole other story!!!!!!!!!! It was time to move to that bedroom (remember I had one specific day to do it in and had to fly do a turn around that night... can’t even describe how angry I was at them for that great organisational feat! Even worse I opened the door, it looked nothing like the other A bedroom and the whole room looked like a storm had just gone through it, sand, dirt, old peoples thrown away belongings, rubbish, leaves whatever you could think of, it was in that room DISGUSTING! I remember I broke down and cried this was NO style, not funny and extremely bad on their part! And trust me, I rang them and complained BIG TIME afterwards but they don’t care...
Now to the topic of Training School, it was 7 or 8 weeks in total and that was very tiring but also had some really fun moments because you start to become friends with people who you will see every single day for those 8 weeks! Every morning you had to be downstairs in your black pants and red shirt with all your paperwork and what not waiting for a shuttle bus to take you to the aviation college. On our first day we all followed directions on the paperwork how to get there and we were taken on a wild goose chase because apparently we should’ve known that the venue had changed and we all (yes all) of us got in trouble for arriving late! Excuse me!!! Anyway that was just one of those many things you’ll discover once in Dubai. Sorry but it’s not all glitz and glam. I thought realistic about it before I came over but nothing comes close, it’s truly not great there. At all.
During training weeks, there was lots of study, exams, best part was getting our uniforms and then finishing it! Haha
My Very first flight was on my Birthday out of all days!!! It was a quick turnaround to India somewhere and that was an alright flight. Just wish they could show us during training what exactly you have to do to get from your apartment to onto that plane, they don’t help you out in that regard at all and you pretty much have to do and figure everything out for yourself...stress much!!! I’m not stupid but when it’s your first flight etc you’re just in a completely different world in your head!
Ok so I passed my grilling of a first question in the briefing, such an easy question but nerves got to me! Every flight you go on, you have to sit through a briefing, this involves quickly seeing your crew for the flight as well as having to answer a safety question (if you get it wrong, you don’t do the flight, three strikes and you’re out basically)... it’s very intense, not gonna lie.
Flights themselves can be bad and good. It all depends on your mood, the crew your flying with, how long the flight is, if it’s a turnaround or lay over, where you’re flying too and the passengers themselves. I’m not going to name any destinations with the worst reputations that’s for you to find out but just to let you know, I went to a place where we had to have police escort with guns, ummm yeah did NOT feel safe in that country... happy days not.
Ok after 6 months I had it with Emirates and the fact that after every flight you’d come home to Dubai... That was definitely NOT home for me and during my 6 months I only got to fly home as a flight attendant once because of the distance yet if you live in middle east or Europe already you’d be able to see family and friends much more often so it’s easier for you if you already live there. I decided to resign. I rang up Emirates and asked how to, very un-clear information and hours investigating later I just emailed my cabin manager (who had no idea who I was).
This reminds me actually when I got food poisoning for 15 hours straight (warning do not eat meat in Dubai and drink water out of bottles even wash hair with bottled water as it’s so salty it’ll break your hair right off and forget about smelling fresh clean air, it’s hot humid and sandy) I followed instructions in my manual called up medical block and they said I’d have to make an appointment travel to head quarters in one of those everyday bad driven shuttle buses and somehow not vomit blood and diarrhoea everywhere (you know what food poisoning does to your body it’s horrible), I almost screamed with what effort I had to tell them there was no way in hell I can sit in a bus unless I had a bucket strapped to my backside and front somehow they just didn’t understand or cared more like it. They got a nurse on the phone for me and told me what to buy from pharmacy instead.
Back to resignation, no reply as usual from cabin manager (remember what I said you have to do everything yourself and follow through everything!)
I thought “that’s it!” I went to his office, they said I’d need an appointment and that didn’t stop me in a polite way of telling them where to put it and got to see him ASAP! He gave me un clear instructions also on how to resign so again I went to different departments requested them to give me the paperwork to resign and long story short I did. It took three days of visa cancellations and I was supposed to get my passport back on or before last day. I didn’t and after queuing up for ages to see different people they told me to come back later that afternoon, annoyed again I did even though they were the ones who told me 7am sharp!!! I came back since the next day I’d be flying home so I obviously needed my passport and ticket etc BACK they still didn’t have it! I told them I’m not moving until I had both in my hands (boy they moved their behinds fast and talked in their language as usual yelling at each other) I might sound like a harsh person in fact I’m really not, I’m young, blonde (which didn’t help living in a country like this) small and very friendly but things just get out of control there, empty promises very frustrating and you just got to do what you got to do!
Don’t back down, that’s the only way they’ll remember your face and start acting on things!!!
I got both and next day grabbed a taxi to the airport finally going home permanently!
At the airport I had to see the marhaba people again to organise whatever it was and they said I was not in their system!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I made sure I was! Haha I WAS flying home that day! Luckily my instinct was right and I arrived at the airport way too early for instances like this! It took them 2 hours to fluff me around before they accepted the fact I was on this flight TODAY! On the flight, delays and then I was home!
FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m only writing this from my experience and I know for a fact I’m not the only one who was treated this way by the whole experience ( Just remembered, long flight 15 hours we served all passengers time for us to eat, oh no crew meals left ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Yes, yes they were.....)
Go for it, experience it! Don’t let this hold you back but honestly if I knew all this was going to happen I would not I REPEAT I WOULD NOT have done it!!!
I’m glad I did only to know that I am not missing out on anything. Good luck though some people will love it because they are already used to that way of living but I certainly was downgraded and hated it!
I’ll start from the beginning...
I went on Emirates website, checked out their Open Days in my closest city and registered (or whatever you needed to do). The day came, I had my resume with all my photocopied certificates with me, I had my hair done nicely, my make-up nice with red lipstick and business clothes on (black knee length skirt, white shirt, black jacket, medium height black thick heels on and DON’T forget you must wear stockings (also NO pants for girls).
There were about 300 people on this open day. We watched a promotional video, questions and answers etc, then one by one had approx about a 1 minute chat with one of the recruiters whilst handing in our resume and doing a height reach test. If you couldn’t make the height (without shoes) with reaching a bar at their required height then you were out straight away. They told everyone if you were successful today you would receive a phone call later that afternoon. Sure enough my call came, was told the time to come the next day and I brought another copy with resume etc with me with my same clothes on I had the day before.
During the second day, there were constant tests, paperwork firstly and I’d say approx 100-120 people left. One on one interviews a bit longer this time, group tests/problem solving, public speaking etc. At the start of the day we had a stickered number on our jacket, and throughout the day after each set of tests we would be called out in our numbers in order and got given a folded piece of paper, we were told to open only once exiting the room. Say if I was number 8, my paper then said “successful for the next round, come back in the room in 10 mins” others say number 76 got the letter “sorry unsuccessful this round” and could go straight away. There were people crying and people happy... Remember this happened a few times throughout the day, very daunting and nerve wrecking to say the least!
Day 3 around 40-50 people left. More tests etc more in depth scenarios and questions, same culling process with the numbers and folded papers. End of the day there were 20 of us left, we all had to do a physiologist test with numbers, shapes and MORE paperwork. We were told what to bring for our Final Interview in the next coming days.
Final Interview day, maybe 3-4 days later for me (lucky because it gave me time to get photos taken etc) my interview was in a room with the biggest board room table I’ve ever seen and two of the recruiters on the other side VERY INTIMIDATING!!! My interview lasted about 45 minutes from memory (each person differs) and was told after to just await email or call whatever.
Weeks went by and eventually the dreaded “sorry” email... devastated to say the least, I really wanted it. I blamed it on my age that and wishing that I was 21 already but they said in the interview if you turn 21 in the next 3 months it’s fine. I don’t think I should’ve bothered.
About 8-9 months later (I was 21 years of age by this time, it’s a requirement of Emirates) I did the exact same, went to the Open Day but in the open day they saw that I had gotten to the Final Interview before and said sorry can’t apply yet as you have to wait a full year before re-applying. So annoyed, I’d gotten ready, organised EVERYTHING again took the day off work, travelled an hour through busy traffic to get told “sorry” straight away! The annoying thing for me was that I had been told I’d have to wait 6 months before re-applying and now all of a sudden 1 year?! ANGRY FACE!!! However that was it...
A few years went by and decided to apply again... I went through the whole process as described above and this time I found this forum. It helped me a lot! I even found a few people from around the world who were at the exact process time as me (for example medicals etc) and even became part of each other’s batch group in training! So it helps to talk to people on here and just a hint any question you’re wanting to ask, good chance it’s already been asked and answered just read back...take the time and if not ASK don’t be afraid to ask even if you feel it sounds stupid, you want to know and maybe others are burning to ask the same question but don’t know how or to scared about other people’s comments (and by that I mean the meanies, let them be!)
Anyway my application status changed all the time (it did take forever mind you but it did happen) and before I knew it I had to gather lots of documents and scanned documents and photographs and medicals etc! Medicals were the worst part, not only talking about having to get all those horrible injections done, blood tests and x-rays but in general trying to make your doctor hurry up and get it all done was annoying because you had to rely on other people to get your stuff done when there was a deadline to be met by Emirates!!! I emailed Emirates to tell them that I had not yet received one blood test result and as soon as I had it I would scan and email straight away and at least your letting them know of the delay (not your fault) but that it’s on the way soon.
Time went by, I had done everything...still playing the waiting game and then BAM unknown foreign number rang me “It must be my GOLDEN CALL” I thought!!! And I was right! I got my Date of leaving my Country and some more talk and info in regards to tickets etc and that was it I GOT THE JOB AND I’M ON MY WAY TO DUBAI!!!
About a month later it was that time, my bags packed said my goodbyes and found a few girls from same Country flying out same time as me so that was good, we were able to lean on each other for support with goodbye tears flowing! It was such a hard moment but such an exciting one too!
About half way through the flight until we landed I was pretty emotional, all I could think of was “what am I doing and why am I doing this?!!!!” I wasn’t the only one the other girls lost I too... Finally after 14-15 hours of flying we were in Dubai!
We were meant to be picked up by the Marhaba or whatever they were called, firstly hard to find and secondly out of us four girls they only had down two hmmmmm? Anyway we experienced their culture straight away by having to go into a womans only line to get pictures of our eyes taken or whatever it was for and in the meantime one of the girls completely broke down she was so distraught and during the whole flight she was the strongest out of us all I guess it bottled up in her and finally exploded!!!
We got separated to go to our new home, lucky for me, one of the girls was placed in the same building as me so at least we got to stay together for that road trip. One girl was placed out in the desert near xxxx and the other in xxxx I think. We were placed in a little one called xxxx not very known but at least not out in nowhere’s land!
When I arrived in my apartment no-one was home, feeling so alone and hungry I just didn’t know where to start! I was put in room B, so I had to share the bathroom/shower etc with whoever was is bedroom C and bedroom A person got their own bathroom and walk in wardrobe! How is that fair but anyway a few days later bedroom A girl arrived, she was nice luckily ( the other girl who was put in same building as me was with a flat mate who was just angry, mean all the time) and I found out that there was no-one in bedroom C person yet... During a few weeks of my training a new girl came into bedroom C and man was she a messy person (I’m very neat) it was soooo annoying she left hair here, there make-up smudged on stuff as well as mine and treated the bathroom and kitchen like only she lived there! And not to mention she would SLAM the door (very irritating when you’re trying to sleep after a long flight or early morning wake-up call!!!)
Anyway after I while I decided I’d had enough of living with her even though the other girl was nice, she had everything to herself and hardly wasn’t there as she’d go to her boyfriends apartment so I found out that there was a room vacant a few floors down and it was a bedroom A! Meaning own bathroom, I decided to stay in the same little building because by this time I now knew my way around... a bit!!! And my friend who got placed in same building was there plus we loved our rooftop pool best one out of all the buildings I swear! The building itself a bit old, power plugs things on the walls hanging out a lot of safety issues but hey it’s Dubai (you’ll know what I mean once you’re there!) BUT that’s a whole other story!!!!!!!!!! It was time to move to that bedroom (remember I had one specific day to do it in and had to fly do a turn around that night... can’t even describe how angry I was at them for that great organisational feat! Even worse I opened the door, it looked nothing like the other A bedroom and the whole room looked like a storm had just gone through it, sand, dirt, old peoples thrown away belongings, rubbish, leaves whatever you could think of, it was in that room DISGUSTING! I remember I broke down and cried this was NO style, not funny and extremely bad on their part! And trust me, I rang them and complained BIG TIME afterwards but they don’t care...
Now to the topic of Training School, it was 7 or 8 weeks in total and that was very tiring but also had some really fun moments because you start to become friends with people who you will see every single day for those 8 weeks! Every morning you had to be downstairs in your black pants and red shirt with all your paperwork and what not waiting for a shuttle bus to take you to the aviation college. On our first day we all followed directions on the paperwork how to get there and we were taken on a wild goose chase because apparently we should’ve known that the venue had changed and we all (yes all) of us got in trouble for arriving late! Excuse me!!! Anyway that was just one of those many things you’ll discover once in Dubai. Sorry but it’s not all glitz and glam. I thought realistic about it before I came over but nothing comes close, it’s truly not great there. At all.
During training weeks, there was lots of study, exams, best part was getting our uniforms and then finishing it! Haha
My Very first flight was on my Birthday out of all days!!! It was a quick turnaround to India somewhere and that was an alright flight. Just wish they could show us during training what exactly you have to do to get from your apartment to onto that plane, they don’t help you out in that regard at all and you pretty much have to do and figure everything out for yourself...stress much!!! I’m not stupid but when it’s your first flight etc you’re just in a completely different world in your head!
Ok so I passed my grilling of a first question in the briefing, such an easy question but nerves got to me! Every flight you go on, you have to sit through a briefing, this involves quickly seeing your crew for the flight as well as having to answer a safety question (if you get it wrong, you don’t do the flight, three strikes and you’re out basically)... it’s very intense, not gonna lie.
Flights themselves can be bad and good. It all depends on your mood, the crew your flying with, how long the flight is, if it’s a turnaround or lay over, where you’re flying too and the passengers themselves. I’m not going to name any destinations with the worst reputations that’s for you to find out but just to let you know, I went to a place where we had to have police escort with guns, ummm yeah did NOT feel safe in that country... happy days not.
Ok after 6 months I had it with Emirates and the fact that after every flight you’d come home to Dubai... That was definitely NOT home for me and during my 6 months I only got to fly home as a flight attendant once because of the distance yet if you live in middle east or Europe already you’d be able to see family and friends much more often so it’s easier for you if you already live there. I decided to resign. I rang up Emirates and asked how to, very un-clear information and hours investigating later I just emailed my cabin manager (who had no idea who I was).
This reminds me actually when I got food poisoning for 15 hours straight (warning do not eat meat in Dubai and drink water out of bottles even wash hair with bottled water as it’s so salty it’ll break your hair right off and forget about smelling fresh clean air, it’s hot humid and sandy) I followed instructions in my manual called up medical block and they said I’d have to make an appointment travel to head quarters in one of those everyday bad driven shuttle buses and somehow not vomit blood and diarrhoea everywhere (you know what food poisoning does to your body it’s horrible), I almost screamed with what effort I had to tell them there was no way in hell I can sit in a bus unless I had a bucket strapped to my backside and front somehow they just didn’t understand or cared more like it. They got a nurse on the phone for me and told me what to buy from pharmacy instead.
Back to resignation, no reply as usual from cabin manager (remember what I said you have to do everything yourself and follow through everything!)
I thought “that’s it!” I went to his office, they said I’d need an appointment and that didn’t stop me in a polite way of telling them where to put it and got to see him ASAP! He gave me un clear instructions also on how to resign so again I went to different departments requested them to give me the paperwork to resign and long story short I did. It took three days of visa cancellations and I was supposed to get my passport back on or before last day. I didn’t and after queuing up for ages to see different people they told me to come back later that afternoon, annoyed again I did even though they were the ones who told me 7am sharp!!! I came back since the next day I’d be flying home so I obviously needed my passport and ticket etc BACK they still didn’t have it! I told them I’m not moving until I had both in my hands (boy they moved their behinds fast and talked in their language as usual yelling at each other) I might sound like a harsh person in fact I’m really not, I’m young, blonde (which didn’t help living in a country like this) small and very friendly but things just get out of control there, empty promises very frustrating and you just got to do what you got to do!
Don’t back down, that’s the only way they’ll remember your face and start acting on things!!!
I got both and next day grabbed a taxi to the airport finally going home permanently!
At the airport I had to see the marhaba people again to organise whatever it was and they said I was not in their system!!! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I made sure I was! Haha I WAS flying home that day! Luckily my instinct was right and I arrived at the airport way too early for instances like this! It took them 2 hours to fluff me around before they accepted the fact I was on this flight TODAY! On the flight, delays and then I was home!
FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m only writing this from my experience and I know for a fact I’m not the only one who was treated this way by the whole experience ( Just remembered, long flight 15 hours we served all passengers time for us to eat, oh no crew meals left ARE YOU SERIOUS?! Yes, yes they were.....)
Go for it, experience it! Don’t let this hold you back but honestly if I knew all this was going to happen I would not I REPEAT I WOULD NOT have done it!!!
I’m glad I did only to know that I am not missing out on anything. Good luck though some people will love it because they are already used to that way of living but I certainly was downgraded and hated it!
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Age: 64
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Edited to remove names of crew accommodation.
BTW - As a general rule, a majority of wannabes have little or no interest in "reality", preferring a double scoop of myth liberally drizzled with squirty teenage excitement and a dusting of honey-coated stupidity. Few actually read what has been written previously - Save your fingers and time: Your post will be forgotten or ignored (as will this one) within two pages of contributions and airlines are smart enough to know this.
BTW - As a general rule, a majority of wannabes have little or no interest in "reality", preferring a double scoop of myth liberally drizzled with squirty teenage excitement and a dusting of honey-coated stupidity. Few actually read what has been written previously - Save your fingers and time: Your post will be forgotten or ignored (as will this one) within two pages of contributions and airlines are smart enough to know this.
A very interesting post Amanda. Well done for having the guts to go through what you did and even more posting your experiences on here. It only goes to show that applying and living in the Middle East is not what it used to be. I think the days of the "the golden egg" have well and truly gone.
I wonder if it's like that in other ME carriers? Anyone care to add to this? I remember my training at BOAC back in 1972. Cranebank was a like a military camp in those days. But the training was thorough, and many other carriers world wide would send their crews for training, including the RAF.
I wonder if it's like that in other ME carriers? Anyone care to add to this? I remember my training at BOAC back in 1972. Cranebank was a like a military camp in those days. But the training was thorough, and many other carriers world wide would send their crews for training, including the RAF.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Addis Ababa
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi lademoiselle
any news on your application? I also submitted my application on April 2 but no invite so far
.... I'm wondering will they wait this late to call for the AD... let me know
any news on your application? I also submitted my application on April 2 but no invite so far
.... I'm wondering will they wait this late to call for the AD... let me know
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Argentina
Age: 38
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the reality check above!
But I'd like to try it myself anyways... Sometimes you're just not cut for the job. I have three acquaintances working for EK and they are very very happy.
But I'd like to try it myself anyways... Sometimes you're just not cut for the job. I have three acquaintances working for EK and they are very very happy.
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Krakozia
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hello everybody, Im new around here, so nice to meet you all! 
Lets see if you can help me:
Some days ago I attended the FI with emirates so now im waiting for my GC: Should I complete any tasks before they call me? What about these medical pre-employment tests they talked about? Are there more things I should know/do, or will they (emirates) provide me all the information and "tasks to do" in my GC/mail (in case i'll be succeesful, of course)?
THANKS! (if you prefer, you can also answer me by my mail, just ask for it)
Lets see if you can help me:
Some days ago I attended the FI with emirates so now im waiting for my GC: Should I complete any tasks before they call me? What about these medical pre-employment tests they talked about? Are there more things I should know/do, or will they (emirates) provide me all the information and "tasks to do" in my GC/mail (in case i'll be succeesful, of course)?
THANKS! (if you prefer, you can also answer me by my mail, just ask for it)
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Dubai
Age: 41
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reality Check from Amanda
I can certainly agree with some things you said, especially the frustration effect when you can't get things done as quickly as we're used to. Places and people are different everywhere, and with moving to the middle east people should be prepared to face a different culture me thinks (it's like, if you move to Bangkok you don't complain about the crazy driving and traffic there, right? It's just the way it goes there- and here haha..).
But for me it's not all that bad here. The company has always treated me well and fair no matter what the problem was and I was able to save up a fair amount of money and still had an amazing lifestyle with loads of fun and surrounded by amazing people. I even heard all the gangster stories about how bad it is here and how the company treats you like a slave etc. I came fully prepared and maybe that's why I coped well, I didn't expect the red carpet here and therefore wasn't surprised with how it all works here. To me it seems like it's all what you make of it and a big part is how important people think they are. I just want to say one thing about the briefing. They way you put it-it's just not true. First, we have a booklet with all the questions and all the answers, so you can prepare yourself. Second, you know everything from training, you passed the tests and should know everything. Third, they give you two to three chances in the briefing, and help you to get the answer right. Fourth: if you can't answer two questions per briefing, and it happens to you three times, then I am sorry to say I think you don't know what you are doing and shouldn't fly because me as a fellow crew wouldn't feel safe to fly with a person who doesn't know the answers to the safety and security questions. If you don't know the answers in one briefing you can still fly, just a note will be sent to your manager. I have seen it happen to only one person in 18 months of flying and she couldn't answer a very simple question. No, didn't feel sorry for her, her manager should know that she repeatedly wasn't able to answer briefing questions. So there you were clearly exaggerating. And concerning moving in a dirty and messy room, it happened to me to, but I blame the person who lived there before for being so filthy and disrespectful towards the person who moved in afterwards. I rang up accomodation and they came to clean it the same day. And for the resigning process: like everything else, it is clearly described on the portal... Again, it is what you make of it and maybe even a bit of "what goes around comes around". I will be leaving soon too tough because I miss my people back home to much. Please don't take it as an offense, I just think it is only fair to let people know what to expect without exagerating. Ok you peeps in the application process: no it's not going to be all glitz and glam, you will get your hands dirty and will have to work really, really hard, but look at the bright side: you will meet people from all over the world, get to live in a big city with a nice beach, great restaurants and nice bars and nightclubs if you like partying, earn some good money, see some amazing places and experience a lot! And if you had enough like me, you can still leave!
But for me it's not all that bad here. The company has always treated me well and fair no matter what the problem was and I was able to save up a fair amount of money and still had an amazing lifestyle with loads of fun and surrounded by amazing people. I even heard all the gangster stories about how bad it is here and how the company treats you like a slave etc. I came fully prepared and maybe that's why I coped well, I didn't expect the red carpet here and therefore wasn't surprised with how it all works here. To me it seems like it's all what you make of it and a big part is how important people think they are. I just want to say one thing about the briefing. They way you put it-it's just not true. First, we have a booklet with all the questions and all the answers, so you can prepare yourself. Second, you know everything from training, you passed the tests and should know everything. Third, they give you two to three chances in the briefing, and help you to get the answer right. Fourth: if you can't answer two questions per briefing, and it happens to you three times, then I am sorry to say I think you don't know what you are doing and shouldn't fly because me as a fellow crew wouldn't feel safe to fly with a person who doesn't know the answers to the safety and security questions. If you don't know the answers in one briefing you can still fly, just a note will be sent to your manager. I have seen it happen to only one person in 18 months of flying and she couldn't answer a very simple question. No, didn't feel sorry for her, her manager should know that she repeatedly wasn't able to answer briefing questions. So there you were clearly exaggerating. And concerning moving in a dirty and messy room, it happened to me to, but I blame the person who lived there before for being so filthy and disrespectful towards the person who moved in afterwards. I rang up accomodation and they came to clean it the same day. And for the resigning process: like everything else, it is clearly described on the portal... Again, it is what you make of it and maybe even a bit of "what goes around comes around". I will be leaving soon too tough because I miss my people back home to much. Please don't take it as an offense, I just think it is only fair to let people know what to expect without exagerating. Ok you peeps in the application process: no it's not going to be all glitz and glam, you will get your hands dirty and will have to work really, really hard, but look at the bright side: you will meet people from all over the world, get to live in a big city with a nice beach, great restaurants and nice bars and nightclubs if you like partying, earn some good money, see some amazing places and experience a lot! And if you had enough like me, you can still leave!
Last edited by Seja; 10th Apr 2012 at 20:49.
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi firstly, I don’t take offense its ok everyone is allowed to say what they want etc.
In regards to the briefing I meant that in general “3 strikes and you’re out” I didn’t feel the need to go into detail about that or a lot of other things because that’s just stuff you’ll find out once you’re there. In the end though the result is the same, you can’t answer the question so you get a few chances in the end it’s still going to your cabin manager and it’s regarded as a “strike”. This is probably not the rules but there they don’t play by them so it’s all up to your purser and cabin manager at the time and of course factors such as the obvious why you didn’t know the answer etc. Also the question booklet you can print out from the portal but the answers you have to research yourself (which is fine) or you have a nice flatmate who is willing to photocopy their “cheat” booklet with the answers remembering you basically have to answer the questions the way it is written in your manual. You don’t get these things handed to you, again must do it yourself and when you’re a newbie that’s even more frustrating because you think why has everyone around me got these booklets with exact questions and answers and not me when I’m the one that REALLY needs it right now!
About accommodation I’m sorry you went through the same hell feeling when you walked into your new room and it was filthy, I honestly don’t know how some people live but at least you got help from accommodation department... I did not! Consider yourself lucky! Words cannot describe how I felt!
In regards to resigning, sure like you say the instructions could be on the portal BUT go through the process and you’ll be UNpleasantly surprised and yes like I said in my case and a lot of others you will be doing everything yourself! It was hard to get in but even tougher to get out of that job and country!
Everything I explained above is true and it did happen to me and several others I wouldn’t write it otherwise. Once I got out and was back home I got messages from other crew even ones I hardly knew asking me step by step how they had to resign and I helped them get out too.
Again to those wanting to still go for it, I’m not trying to hold you back at all just giving you a glimpse of reality. I still have friends from different countries working there but just saying almost every status I see on their FB it says something like "horrible flight, worst crew, annoying passengers" etc etc etc If it was really that great they wouldn't say that...
REMEMBER YOU’LL NEVER KNOW IF YOU DON’T TRY... I know now haha
Goodluck anyway, hope the job AND country is for you...
In regards to the briefing I meant that in general “3 strikes and you’re out” I didn’t feel the need to go into detail about that or a lot of other things because that’s just stuff you’ll find out once you’re there. In the end though the result is the same, you can’t answer the question so you get a few chances in the end it’s still going to your cabin manager and it’s regarded as a “strike”. This is probably not the rules but there they don’t play by them so it’s all up to your purser and cabin manager at the time and of course factors such as the obvious why you didn’t know the answer etc. Also the question booklet you can print out from the portal but the answers you have to research yourself (which is fine) or you have a nice flatmate who is willing to photocopy their “cheat” booklet with the answers remembering you basically have to answer the questions the way it is written in your manual. You don’t get these things handed to you, again must do it yourself and when you’re a newbie that’s even more frustrating because you think why has everyone around me got these booklets with exact questions and answers and not me when I’m the one that REALLY needs it right now!
About accommodation I’m sorry you went through the same hell feeling when you walked into your new room and it was filthy, I honestly don’t know how some people live but at least you got help from accommodation department... I did not! Consider yourself lucky! Words cannot describe how I felt!
In regards to resigning, sure like you say the instructions could be on the portal BUT go through the process and you’ll be UNpleasantly surprised and yes like I said in my case and a lot of others you will be doing everything yourself! It was hard to get in but even tougher to get out of that job and country!
Everything I explained above is true and it did happen to me and several others I wouldn’t write it otherwise. Once I got out and was back home I got messages from other crew even ones I hardly knew asking me step by step how they had to resign and I helped them get out too.
Again to those wanting to still go for it, I’m not trying to hold you back at all just giving you a glimpse of reality. I still have friends from different countries working there but just saying almost every status I see on their FB it says something like "horrible flight, worst crew, annoying passengers" etc etc etc If it was really that great they wouldn't say that...
REMEMBER YOU’LL NEVER KNOW IF YOU DON’T TRY... I know now haha
Goodluck anyway, hope the job AND country is for you...
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: far far away
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm scared now ! and I fly to dubai in less than 2 weeks..
Seja what did you mean:" I even heard all the gangster stories about how bad it is here" ???
I'm getting nervous..
Seja what did you mean:" I even heard all the gangster stories about how bad it is here" ???
I'm getting nervous..
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Dubai
Age: 41
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You hear loads and loads of complaining about the company. In fact, pretty much everybody is complaining, about everything. I am pretty sick of it. As I mentioned before, it is what you make of it! It can be very tough but if you play by the rules you will be fine! I also complain alot, but not about Emirates itself, but about the passengers, believe me. Having to serve people with no manners at all, people who do not know the word please or thank you and treat you like a dog is daily business!!! But again, this is not the companies fault, it is the people we fly around the sub-continent. Just never forget that you are moving to a foreign country with a different culture and lifestyle and try to take it as it comes. If you compare it with your home then you've already lost. Work hard, play hard! Don't be worried hun! If you need anything when you're here PM me!
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Paris France
Age: 36
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Amanda and Seja
Hi girls, I'm on my way to Lyon, France to the OD that takes place tomorrow.
Thank you both for letting us know what you'ved experienced in Dubai.
Amanda: you stayed 6months, right? So did you pay the resignation fees?? How much was it?
Seja: Have you left already? If yes, how long did you stay?
Thank you both for letting us know what you'ved experienced in Dubai.
Amanda: you stayed 6months, right? So did you pay the resignation fees?? How much was it?
Seja: Have you left already? If yes, how long did you stay?
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First of all... DO NOT BE SCARED! Take a chance, you may like it, love it, hate it, you never know so go for it if your heart is in it but just be "warned"...
Seja,
I couldn't have said your last post better myself and I especially love this line... "If you compare it with your home then you've already lost." Very true so wannabes that quote is very important to remember!!!
Lauryl,
Yes but really it was "pocket money" to compare it to getting out of it all, it really wasn't much, I also planned to leave just before my 6 months because that way I could leave pretty much straight away otherwise you have to give 1 full month notice before you can fly home and trust me when I say, when you've decided it's enough, that 1 whole month will literally break you and be UNbearable...
Like I said my experience wasn't intended to stop you from trying but only to give you a glimpse that what they are showing you on those promotional videos is definitely NOT real life when you're actually stuck living there and working there... GOODLUCK ANYWAYS and if you want to know anything feel free to ask but you will get straight forward answers, I will not sprinkle fairy dust on it
Seja,
I couldn't have said your last post better myself and I especially love this line... "If you compare it with your home then you've already lost." Very true so wannabes that quote is very important to remember!!!
Lauryl,
Yes but really it was "pocket money" to compare it to getting out of it all, it really wasn't much, I also planned to leave just before my 6 months because that way I could leave pretty much straight away otherwise you have to give 1 full month notice before you can fly home and trust me when I say, when you've decided it's enough, that 1 whole month will literally break you and be UNbearable...
Like I said my experience wasn't intended to stop you from trying but only to give you a glimpse that what they are showing you on those promotional videos is definitely NOT real life when you're actually stuck living there and working there... GOODLUCK ANYWAYS and if you want to know anything feel free to ask but you will get straight forward answers, I will not sprinkle fairy dust on it