please help. unhappy in new job
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please help. unhappy in new job
Hiya
I'm very new to all this just come on-line several weeks ago for a big major uk airline but i'm not happy at all with the job its hard work and I feel constantly drained.
When I think i'm enjoying it and I have received good feedback bthen something happens and some flights just go wrong and I feel like I will never get the hang of it and the lifestyle.
How did some of you feel when you started out. I sometimes feel very enthusiastic and happy to be doing the job other times I feel like i'm so tired and drained out I don't know what i'm doing.
I'm so unhappy, confused and frustrated.
I'm so happy I can write down how I feel.
I'm very new to all this just come on-line several weeks ago for a big major uk airline but i'm not happy at all with the job its hard work and I feel constantly drained.
When I think i'm enjoying it and I have received good feedback bthen something happens and some flights just go wrong and I feel like I will never get the hang of it and the lifestyle.
How did some of you feel when you started out. I sometimes feel very enthusiastic and happy to be doing the job other times I feel like i'm so tired and drained out I don't know what i'm doing.
I'm so unhappy, confused and frustrated.
I'm so happy I can write down how I feel.
Join Date: Apr 2004
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congrats first of all on getting this job. since you are already on line that means you have done your training successfully. cheers to that. aviation isnt as shining as it looked earlier does it.
it happens to everyone but that is just in the beginning, as you settle in you will start liking it.the odd timings have their advantages also,depends on how you look at it.
and please change you name to happy etc
it happens to everyone but that is just in the beginning, as you settle in you will start liking it.the odd timings have their advantages also,depends on how you look at it.
and please change you name to happy etc
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Hi Honey,
Dont be sad! When i started out about a year and a bit ago, I was just like you, I cried at night, my feet hurt sooooo much.
My fam flight was the best flight i had for a season, then it allw ent wrong then like you I got sad and depressed, pale and spotty.
But IT DOES PASS!!!
Honestly. Ive worked for 3 airlines now, and am so very happy with a major UK charter airline.
Stick it out, honestly hun the rewards, job satsifcation, pride and friends you make will come.
In the meantime, drink lots when you can (outside your hours limit of course), put on your lippy, teeth and tits out, and smile.
I promise it gets better
xxxx
Dont be sad! When i started out about a year and a bit ago, I was just like you, I cried at night, my feet hurt sooooo much.
My fam flight was the best flight i had for a season, then it allw ent wrong then like you I got sad and depressed, pale and spotty.
But IT DOES PASS!!!
Honestly. Ive worked for 3 airlines now, and am so very happy with a major UK charter airline.
Stick it out, honestly hun the rewards, job satsifcation, pride and friends you make will come.
In the meantime, drink lots when you can (outside your hours limit of course), put on your lippy, teeth and tits out, and smile.
I promise it gets better
xxxx
Join Date: Mar 2004
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unhappyyorkshirelass - I worked as cabin crew for BA for 6 years, left in '99 and to be honest you truly know when enough is enough! I thoroughly enjoyed the first few years, especially going to new places and having a laugh ............ but it does start to wear a bit thin after a while, you do become drained and saying 'chicken or beef', 'tea or coffee' to hundreds of people on a 747 made me brain dead!
BUT I wouldn't have swapped my 6 years for anything and I have no regrets, especially as I met some truly fantastic people flying! I've since moved on to another area of aviation that better suits me - and my brain!
So, my advice is to enjoy it while you can and then go with your instincts!
BUT I wouldn't have swapped my 6 years for anything and I have no regrets, especially as I met some truly fantastic people flying! I've since moved on to another area of aviation that better suits me - and my brain!
So, my advice is to enjoy it while you can and then go with your instincts!
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staller,
maybe 1b16uk read her profile first (like i did) and saw she was cabin crew. and he did offer some good advice
yorkshire lass -keep at it, one day it will all click in to place and you will love it
x
maybe 1b16uk read her profile first (like i did) and saw she was cabin crew. and he did offer some good advice
yorkshire lass -keep at it, one day it will all click in to place and you will love it
x
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Staller,
Maybe ib16uk noted the post was in the CABIN CREW section, read her PROFILE aaaaand read her POST. Jeez.
Mav
P.S. All the best unhappy - I'd imagine things will rapidly improve as you become more confident and relaxed in the job, much like any new position
Maybe ib16uk noted the post was in the CABIN CREW section, read her PROFILE aaaaand read her POST. Jeez.
Mav
P.S. All the best unhappy - I'd imagine things will rapidly improve as you become more confident and relaxed in the job, much like any new position
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cabin crew
i would like to share with you my experience as cabin crew.
from when i was a litle kid, i always wanted to be a flight attendant.
i became a flight attendant at 20.
i would be interested to know what airline you joined in the uk and why some flights are not going well??
to my excitement, i will be joining a quality airline based in the Uk soon! i cant wait.
when i first started flying, i used to come home and fall alseep.
flying is very tiring. you need to make sure you rest when you can. if you do nightflights, then go to bed very late the night before and sleep all day.
make sure you drink lots of water as well.
when you feel like a nap, do so.
there is nothing more i want to do than fly.
i have been flying 13.5 yrs and im 34.
its a great LIFESTYLE and once you settle in, you will love it. even after 13.5 yrs i still get a buzz on each take off and landing.
i love a good chat and i dont find it boring or mundane!
its either in your blood or not.
happy flying!
from when i was a litle kid, i always wanted to be a flight attendant.
i became a flight attendant at 20.
i would be interested to know what airline you joined in the uk and why some flights are not going well??
to my excitement, i will be joining a quality airline based in the Uk soon! i cant wait.
when i first started flying, i used to come home and fall alseep.
flying is very tiring. you need to make sure you rest when you can. if you do nightflights, then go to bed very late the night before and sleep all day.
make sure you drink lots of water as well.
when you feel like a nap, do so.
there is nothing more i want to do than fly.
i have been flying 13.5 yrs and im 34.
its a great LIFESTYLE and once you settle in, you will love it. even after 13.5 yrs i still get a buzz on each take off and landing.
i love a good chat and i dont find it boring or mundane!
its either in your blood or not.
happy flying!
Last edited by Jeff Stryker; 2nd Jun 2004 at 07:58.
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unhappy,
one of the great things about flying is every day is different. different crew, different passengers, different enroute conditions, it all adds to the experience. you'll have good days and bad days, we all do. over time you'll learn how to deal with the bad ones a little better, you'll become more experienced, less stressed and adjust to flying in general (the hours, the strain on your body etc).
i also have to disagree with pink, i'm a purser with a major carrier and can say that not many pursers/senior crew have forgotten crm. we all remember when we were new, what it was like and the strain we were under and we do all we can to help you out. sometimes we'll tell new crew positives, somedays we may have to tell them the negatives, the negatives though are only there to help you build as a flight attendant and as a person.
next time you have a bad day at work, take something positive from it too, i can have the worst day but then a passenger getting off says to be "thanks that was a great flight" it can be enough to lift me from the low. talk to other crew you work with, everyones been through the same and you dont have to go through it alone.
its a great job, im sure with time you'll grow into it and love it. best of luck!
one of the great things about flying is every day is different. different crew, different passengers, different enroute conditions, it all adds to the experience. you'll have good days and bad days, we all do. over time you'll learn how to deal with the bad ones a little better, you'll become more experienced, less stressed and adjust to flying in general (the hours, the strain on your body etc).
i also have to disagree with pink, i'm a purser with a major carrier and can say that not many pursers/senior crew have forgotten crm. we all remember when we were new, what it was like and the strain we were under and we do all we can to help you out. sometimes we'll tell new crew positives, somedays we may have to tell them the negatives, the negatives though are only there to help you build as a flight attendant and as a person.
next time you have a bad day at work, take something positive from it too, i can have the worst day but then a passenger getting off says to be "thanks that was a great flight" it can be enough to lift me from the low. talk to other crew you work with, everyones been through the same and you dont have to go through it alone.
its a great job, im sure with time you'll grow into it and love it. best of luck!
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i agree
i would also like to say i agree with "overhere".
essentially its all about teamwork.
the majority of crew do remember the priciples of CRM.
i always say that in the service industry there is no room for 1. ego and 2. dominat personalities.
and too, there will always be fellow co workers who think they cant be told what to do and disguise that as bullying etc. thats another issue - not being able to take feedback.
flying is like family. you work hard together, and you laugh together.
as "overhere" says, to hear a pax say thank you at the end of the flight means its all worth it.
go out there, be yourself and smile!
essentially its all about teamwork.
the majority of crew do remember the priciples of CRM.
i always say that in the service industry there is no room for 1. ego and 2. dominat personalities.
and too, there will always be fellow co workers who think they cant be told what to do and disguise that as bullying etc. thats another issue - not being able to take feedback.
flying is like family. you work hard together, and you laugh together.
as "overhere" says, to hear a pax say thank you at the end of the flight means its all worth it.
go out there, be yourself and smile!
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i have been flying for 14 years now.....i am 34 and still have days where i feel that its all going wrong and why do i do this job still (friends think i am a secret sadist). It does get better........i still love the job and having worked for 4 airlines......it keeps getting better. I am a purser and what i tell all my crew is when it goes wrong, remember that the passengers do not realise that what you have done is wrong or they dont know the order of service or what row we start from.......i still have to ask my crew where things are kept in the galleys and what do i do on this service.
It does and will get better. I cant imagine any other job......if i was put in an office i would be sacked within about 10 mins as i cant even log on a computer let alone use one without being helped.
Keep your spirits up, enjoy the FUN that you WILL HAVE in time.
ps, please change your name to happy!!!!!
It does and will get better. I cant imagine any other job......if i was put in an office i would be sacked within about 10 mins as i cant even log on a computer let alone use one without being helped.
Keep your spirits up, enjoy the FUN that you WILL HAVE in time.
ps, please change your name to happy!!!!!
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Hi,
Don't give up on flying just yet, it takes a while! I remember getting off my SNY and thinking if that's what it's like I DON'T LIKE IT. But I went back the next day and the next....... It's does take a while to get used to the hours, getting up at 3am is never very nice! But I don't think about it as going to work I think that i'm going for a day out with friends!
It will get easier, and then you'll begin to love this fantastic job!
Don't give up on flying just yet, it takes a while! I remember getting off my SNY and thinking if that's what it's like I DON'T LIKE IT. But I went back the next day and the next....... It's does take a while to get used to the hours, getting up at 3am is never very nice! But I don't think about it as going to work I think that i'm going for a day out with friends!
It will get easier, and then you'll begin to love this fantastic job!
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Babe, IF you work for British Airways, please please please call Crew Care. I've never used them myself but have friends who have and they are absolutely tremendous.
The Crew Care staff are all flyers/ex-flyers and will talk you through absolutely any problem you have.
Take care, chin up.
The Crew Care staff are all flyers/ex-flyers and will talk you through absolutely any problem you have.
Take care, chin up.
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thanks for replies
Thanks for all the replies.
I have been working so hard I'm so tired. I'm sure I will get into it but It will take time, I do enjoy it depends on who I fly with!
I'm also fed up of people moaning all the time. I have done many jobs where people have the odd moan but this is a joke and the way people bitch and gossip about each other and its so annoying.
One last thing which is the most professional airline to work and which ones to avoid? I'm thinking of applying to another airline soon.
I have been working so hard I'm so tired. I'm sure I will get into it but It will take time, I do enjoy it depends on who I fly with!
I'm also fed up of people moaning all the time. I have done many jobs where people have the odd moan but this is a joke and the way people bitch and gossip about each other and its so annoying.
One last thing which is the most professional airline to work and which ones to avoid? I'm thinking of applying to another airline soon.
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AAaawwwwww..... 
I feel so sad reading your post... may I share my experience and give you my 2 cents?
When I started with First Choice (then air2000), I thought I would fulfill my dream by doing this job. I had been through tons of interviews and I was so thrilled when they told me I had been selected! I went through training with huge interest, asked zillions of questions, made friends... it felt so right... until I did my supernumerary... when a #1 told me "the job is very different from what you learnt during training isn't it?". Bless her. She's gone now but her statement was crucial: I had to review my expectations!
I have resigned recently. I had to admit the company didn't really suit me afterall (or vice versa if you want!). I found myself more and more unhappy there and the feedback was very different depending on the day: sometime I was told "you're brilliant", the next day the opposite. I didn't know if I was going in the right direction or not and as an achiever, I soon found myself deeply frustrated.
It is a fact: working with different crew/supervisors/coordinators every day is extremely challenging as it gives you no stability and for someone new in the industry it can be very demotivating as it becomes more and more difficult to understand if you are appreciated or not. Alas at 33 I am still somehow a little girl in need of approval!
To keep myself motivated, I would set goals for myself: one day I would go through the cabin and collect coins for the charity we supported, the next I would make sure all the children had pillows, blankets and plenty of water, I would take the time to speak to a pax scared of flying, then I would ask disabled passengers if I could do anything else for them (hopefully making them feel looked after)... My satifaction on the job was about these tiny little things, not about gosips, company rules, salary, promotion etc. ... and what happened is, that after a while, I realized I was too good for my employer!!
No false modesty here! - The airline is there to make money and they use the crew to sell (more than serve and help) because this is the way they survive, live and breathe - I'm there to take care of people, not to push them to buy snacks and alcohol! I care for others, that's why I do the job.
It was really hard to quit as I had no other job to go for and I didn't want to leave my new friends, but my sense of pride and achievement was below zero and it took me time to realize that things wouldn't change until I faced it: it wasn't the fact of being right or wrong, I was simply about accepting I was in the wrong place!
I have understood that I am pretty good at what I do and I know now that I can be appreciated somewhere else... so I kissed them goodbye! Mmmmwwwaaaahhh!
To my opinion, you should give it at least 6 to 12 months before you make your mind up. During the first 3 months, you will probabily learn the equipment checks, the pre-boarding prep, the service, the location of service items on board different a/c, the cart prep. After maybe 6 month, you'll have flown with the same crew at least twice and you'll start making new friends. If you're not flying long-haul then it's a bit more demanding physically but hang in there until you feel comfortable with what you do. Flight after flight, you'll build more confidence and dealing with people and problems will become easier each time. See this as an opportunity to learn, it's a very good school for patience and self-confidence!
You will also probabily find out that winter is usually quieter than summer. You will have plenty of time off. This is when you'll have the time to do something else (and trust me you'll need something to occupy your brain otherwise you get nuts!).
Find a hobby, start studying, play music, go to the gym... personally I would suggest something "good to your brain and your future"... if you see what i mean... coz flying until you drop is not really the kind of future I would wish to anyone!
Don't loose your connections with the outside world, keep in touch with "non-airline" friends, keep all your doors open so that in a year or two, if you still hate it, you'll have plenty of other things to go for!
Remember: you are a wonderful human being! Not just an employee in uniform!
A virtual hug!
FJ
I feel so sad reading your post... may I share my experience and give you my 2 cents?When I started with First Choice (then air2000), I thought I would fulfill my dream by doing this job. I had been through tons of interviews and I was so thrilled when they told me I had been selected! I went through training with huge interest, asked zillions of questions, made friends... it felt so right... until I did my supernumerary... when a #1 told me "the job is very different from what you learnt during training isn't it?". Bless her. She's gone now but her statement was crucial: I had to review my expectations!
I have resigned recently. I had to admit the company didn't really suit me afterall (or vice versa if you want!). I found myself more and more unhappy there and the feedback was very different depending on the day: sometime I was told "you're brilliant", the next day the opposite. I didn't know if I was going in the right direction or not and as an achiever, I soon found myself deeply frustrated.
It is a fact: working with different crew/supervisors/coordinators every day is extremely challenging as it gives you no stability and for someone new in the industry it can be very demotivating as it becomes more and more difficult to understand if you are appreciated or not. Alas at 33 I am still somehow a little girl in need of approval!
To keep myself motivated, I would set goals for myself: one day I would go through the cabin and collect coins for the charity we supported, the next I would make sure all the children had pillows, blankets and plenty of water, I would take the time to speak to a pax scared of flying, then I would ask disabled passengers if I could do anything else for them (hopefully making them feel looked after)... My satifaction on the job was about these tiny little things, not about gosips, company rules, salary, promotion etc. ... and what happened is, that after a while, I realized I was too good for my employer!!
No false modesty here! - The airline is there to make money and they use the crew to sell (more than serve and help) because this is the way they survive, live and breathe - I'm there to take care of people, not to push them to buy snacks and alcohol! I care for others, that's why I do the job.
It was really hard to quit as I had no other job to go for and I didn't want to leave my new friends, but my sense of pride and achievement was below zero and it took me time to realize that things wouldn't change until I faced it: it wasn't the fact of being right or wrong, I was simply about accepting I was in the wrong place!
I have understood that I am pretty good at what I do and I know now that I can be appreciated somewhere else... so I kissed them goodbye! Mmmmwwwaaaahhh!
To my opinion, you should give it at least 6 to 12 months before you make your mind up. During the first 3 months, you will probabily learn the equipment checks, the pre-boarding prep, the service, the location of service items on board different a/c, the cart prep. After maybe 6 month, you'll have flown with the same crew at least twice and you'll start making new friends. If you're not flying long-haul then it's a bit more demanding physically but hang in there until you feel comfortable with what you do. Flight after flight, you'll build more confidence and dealing with people and problems will become easier each time. See this as an opportunity to learn, it's a very good school for patience and self-confidence!
You will also probabily find out that winter is usually quieter than summer. You will have plenty of time off. This is when you'll have the time to do something else (and trust me you'll need something to occupy your brain otherwise you get nuts!).
Find a hobby, start studying, play music, go to the gym... personally I would suggest something "good to your brain and your future"... if you see what i mean... coz flying until you drop is not really the kind of future I would wish to anyone!
Don't loose your connections with the outside world, keep in touch with "non-airline" friends, keep all your doors open so that in a year or two, if you still hate it, you'll have plenty of other things to go for!
Remember: you are a wonderful human being! Not just an employee in uniform!
A virtual hug!
FJ
