A welcoming envelope made its way to our letterbox to wrap up our suckish year.
Totally didn't expect anyone to get something this year, the girls received hell from me this year, plus with HBL I really don't know how much of understanding they have with their schoolwork. So this is a really pleasant surprise when I saw this envelope amongst the pile of mails and knew someone got an award.
An edusave award for lil' one. 又有钱拿了！
Well done ! No complacency please. Please work harder next year too!
When I had to tender in my resignation all of a sudden in April 2002, I was sad. (The only thing I was happy is that I could clear all the manuals in the house)
I was on no-pay leave then.
I still had stuffs in my mailbox.
I didn’t say a proper goodbye to my colleagues. It’s like I’ve suddenly disappeared from the earth.
I didn’t take pictures of the control centre etc..
I didn’t take my last walk in the cabin as a cabin crew.
I didn’t walk down the aero bridge the last time in uniform.
I didn’t get anymore chance to go into my favourite place - the cockpit. Pre-Sep11 days I love to go into the cockpit and talk to the pilots, look into the vast view in front of me looking at the milky way, stars and identifying constellations to them. Hahaha! Honestly speaking do they ever play back what’s in the Blackbox?
I didn’t do my doors disarmed photo taking.
What was my next step? I haven’t secured a ground job and this baby came along? But I knew I could go back flying after that. In the end, that resignation became a permanent one. The 2004 attempt to go back flying was stopped by hubby when I was about to apply airport pass. What if he didn’t stop me then? 16 years down the road today in 2020 I would be nicest CSS (at least) around.
Bringing up Che-Che would turn out differently for sure. She would either be taken care by mom or in-laws. I would have missed out a lot on her growing up. Most importantly I think I wouldn’t look so aged with constant worrying, scolding my child, stressed up. Also, if I was busy working I think my size would be manageable, won’t be fat like now.
I left behind many wonderful memories. It’s really hard to describe, only ex-crew who loved their jobs would know what I mean.
NICE PEOPLE
In this job, I met so many nice people. Much more than the nasty ones.
I’ve met so many interesting passengers. I’ve made friends with a few, very cautiously too coz I wasn’t going to find my better half in my passengers or crew and I hope they know I’m not interested in them.
Some passengers recognise me. I don’t know why?
1) Maybe because I was sincere in my job and I gave them their best flight ever? [abit not shy here] I received many thanks from passengers and I wasn’t so hard up in soliciting for complimentary letters. It was service from the bottom of my heart, although I joked with passengers I still treat them with utmost respect. At that time, I think passengers were also more engaging unlike now. They were alright with entertaining this talkative stewardess as there wasn’t a huge selection of movies to keep them occupied so perhaps they’re also bored. I spent alot of time talking to passengers, some would ask me for my number. I rejected a lot of their requests.
2) or maybe I had a unique name? They see me on board while I’m busy boarding passengers or busy that didn’t pay attention to them. And they said hello to me calling me by my name while I was still trying to recall their surnames. I’m better in recognising faces than names. They would recognise me from previous flight and would tell me which flight; which date. OMG! I can’t even remember, I had to flip my notebook to check if what he was saying is true.
A particular passenger on this CAN flight operated on A310 remembers me. And I tell you every CAN flight I do, I’ll see him. And PPS him always seated in the same seat with his mom. I can be working as B4 or business class and happen to walk down his aisle, not knowing he’s on board he’ll stretch out his hands to me n smile at me. Usually I’ll stop coz he notices me first before I do, tell you coz there’s only one boring movie played on A310 then and he must be bored. Muahaha! Can’t be just me right? He is so friendly, I think he stops other stewardess who served him too. The second last time I saw him, at first I had my back towards him as I was helping a passenger. I turned around and had a shock coz I didn’t know he was behind me waiting to get to his seat , he was smiling so widely & immediately his remark was “congratulations on getting your green, Lily”. As usual his mom is always with him. You know there are some conversations that had to be kept conservative so I don’t ask him or her more than what I should. I made sure that for the last 2 flights as a LSS, I checked on them for the last time and always say goodbye to them before I take my seat for landing at D3L. After that I left my job permanently, I didn’t say my last goodbye to the friendly soft spoken lady . Sometimes I do wonder how his mom is, she should be in her 80s now, if she is still making trips with her son.
SIGHTSEEING
One of the perks of being in the airline is the many opportunities to land in different countries within a short period. Others will need to take annual leave for their vacation. Flight crew have vacations all the time. Can be in Australia today and few days time in USA.
I really miss sightseeing, I miss walking to Hauptbahnhof to take trains to small cities. I lost the freedom to venture places on my own, now I have to travel with the family during school holidays and be their maid. I miss taking photos.
I miss buying snacks for the family. After all, the money that I have I don’t have to pay for accommodation or airfare so it’s solely to buy snacks for the family to try.
IMPORTANT LESSONS IN LIFE
I’ve learnt so much in my years in SIA. I’ve grown up, know how to take care of myself. These are lessons for life. I’m just so thankful I had a job in SIA, I was given the opportunity to open up my wings in 1995. I would go back to flying if I can, I encourage che-che to try but she’s not keen. She wants to stupidly spend money to travel, so we can let her do it on her own next time (we can’t possibly be sponsoring every holidays for her)
As promised in my earlier post on the open house in STC, here’s a recap on how my interview with SIA went.
Before this successful attempt sometime in January I went for interviews a couple of times. And most times I only get the yellow card after the first interview or I don’t get to go in at all. I’m not exactly a tall person, in school they measure me as 1.6m but over in SQ the lady who was tasked to measure my height most of the time they push me down and disqualify me for interview. It wasn’t easy for a shy person to gather the courage and take a train all the way from Tampines to Orchard (Marriott Hotel) and properly attired. Kinda looked weird on me, a 18 - 19yr old dressed to look old. And at that age, I don’t even know how to put make up properly. As I mentioned I went a few times and was rejected, then got a job in Tat Lee Bank and then tried again. In total, my 5th attempt was the successful one.
SUPPORTIVE MANAGER AND SHIFU
I must mentioned my 师父 Karen told me then a Mr John Chua works in SIA. He was a customer in the bank. Of course I was too shy to mention anything to him until my last (successful) attempt I told him I was going to try for the coming interview. By then, I have become a slightly more confident (I think) person after working in the bank and having gone to a few airlines interview as well. He wished me luck. I only told him I was successful and would be seeing him in the Training Centre after I signed and tendered in my resignation letter. Okay, I was a blur sotong, I didn’t know what was his job scope. I can’t be chatting with him when I was working in the bank right. But Karen was joking with me now you know how much he has. Haha!
To my manager and shifu they were happy for me and asked me to 看看世界 since I’m still young, the bank is not the place for me. I’m forever grateful to them as they were like my parents. I made a couple of visits to them quite regularly bringing them snacks from overseas.
OTHER AIRLINES INTERVIEW
I have always wanted to work in the aviation industry. The best would definitely be Singapore Airlines, but after being pushed down so many times at the entrance (height measurement) I was wondering if SIA was really that heartless or … I decided to try airlines that has Singapore based crew as well. Who knows maybe I was fated not to wear that kebaya?
As I think back on my failed and successful interviews in other airlines, I became a little wiser. Airlines’ interview is really so different from the banks’ interviews, from the sales assistants’ interviews (I worked part time when I was 16 during the school holiday). It’s a top notch kind, almost like a modelling interview. That was what I saw as a young 17yr-old.
These are the interviews that I went (not in order), only once as their recruitment wasn’t as regular as SIA’s.
1) China Airlines - made into 2nd round then bumped off
2) United Airlines - I didn’t even get pass 1st round lor… One of the thing we had to do was to sit for a test. They asked questions which was difficult to answer, or maybe not. I remember these 2 questions so vividly coz I came across this while training in SIA.
a) there is a group of rugby players in the plane and they are making a nuisance in the cabin, seemingly drunk. What should you do? How the heck I know? You should be telling me right?
b) you saw an elderly lady sitting near the emergency door. What should you do? Easy right? If the airline is going to a friendly accommodative one, just let her sit there. After all she’s old, poor thing lah…don’t expect her to walk so far behind the cabin. I was so proud of myself when I answered that, I thought I was going to score some brownie points with the interviewers for being such a customer-orientated person. 🤣 I think they will mark my name and put me top of the list for selection. And they did - top of the list to be kicked off straight away. Muahaha! How would I know?
So that I think was the final decision to not let me pass this round? Or maybe I also didn’t do well during the interview?
3) British Airlines - Didn’t even get selected for interview at all
4) SilkAir - Kicked off after 1st round
5) Korean Air - I was successful and was selected. But I rejected the offer.
6) Japan Airlines - I was successful and was selected. I rejected the offer.
7) Singapore Airlines - I was successful and was selected. SIA came back with their reply late and I was wondering if I was successful and if I should take up the offer in JAL. Fortunately God answered my prayers and SIA replied I took up the offer in SIA and rejected JAL.
INTERVIEW ROUNDS IN SIA
As what mom said sometimes interviews has to do with fate and not because the people are heartless. I must admit I was really disappointed when I couldn’t even get past the entrance. Sometimes so desperate that I’ll go back home and change clothes and come out again.
I do need to clarify that if you’re reading my blog hoping to get an idea on how the interview is like now in 2020, I’m sorry to disappoint you but they’ve changed their formats. How? I have no idea.
My interviews were like these :
ROUND 1
1) Measuring height. Met the minimum requirement of 1.58m and you can go in. I was nervous if the lady would push me down.
2) Interview on a 1-1 basis. I have no idea who interviewed me.
a) I was asked why I wanted to join SQ. My answer was “coz I was given playing cards by a stewardess when I was young and told myself I want to wear this nice uniform. I burst out laughing when I said I sounded like I was being bribed by the stewardess, I think I was.
b) second question if I thought this job is glamourous. Nope this job is not glamourous at all. A lot of hard work behind the scene.
c) made to read a passage which is an announcement. I think my teacher should be proud of me, I’m proud of myself too. I cannot disgrace my school - a CHIJ school which strongly emphasises on the way we speak.
ROUND 2
We get informed rather quickly. If we had to wait long, most times would be we’re not successful.
Interview was held in STC.
a) We were put in groups of 10 or more people, I can’t remember how many. First, we had to do a self introduction while seated in the room with a few interviewers behind us. We were tasked to do something together, seemingly to see if we’re able to work as a team. Can’t be too domineering; can’t be too quiet. All the time observed by the interviewers.
b) Names will be called for second round. In my group, only 4-5 or was it 3-4 made to the round while the others leave the place knowing they’ve failed this time and will have to try again next time.
Swimming round in the pool. So I’m not sure if I did the smart thing by removing my horrible make up. I was afraid if my cheapo eyeshadow and mascara will smudge so I removed it. I took such a huge risk - if they would be frightened by my hideous look. Had to jump into the pool and swim, they wanted to see if you’re you have fear of water. One girl chickened out if I remember correctly. After getting out of the pool, we were lined up like models and did a skin check on face, hands. Heart palpitating. I’ve never gone this far in my interviews before. When I went back to the changing room to shower, I looked at myself in the mirror. I had that glow on my face, natural blusher. Must be coz I was really exhausted swimming in the pool. Fingers crossed I hope they didn’t mind my natural hideous look while the other girls still had their make up and lipstick on, I was bare!
ROUND 3
Yes! Yes! Round 3 with the management. Given a topic to talk about in front of everyone else in the auditorium. Followed by mingling tea session with the management people. I think by then there’s a higher chance of being selected? I’m not sure if anyone will be kicked off in this round. But I was calm and I think my time in Tat Lee Bank has helped me to talk to people. I tried my best and hope I passed.
INSTRUCTIONS TO GO FOR MEDICAL CHECKUP FEW DAYS LATER
I didn’t know but they actually tested on hearing. The doctor whispered very softly something quite far off and I kinda turned back to look at him. Lucky thing I cleaned my ears.
THEN I BEGAN MY TRAINING A MONTH PLUS LATER
Batch 421. Joined 5th Feb 1995. Had such wonderful time with my batch mates. Had to cram so many things which sound so foreign to us.
The rest of the story? Many beautiful memories, we’ve grown from little ducklings to young ladies. And we began our flights. After which I looked forward to my new adventures, my flights, people I met on board, I grew up alot.
This is a job which I miss badly. If I were young again, yes I’d join the airline again. And this time I must make sure I stay on longer, hopefully to get my red or purple.
Such a memorable homecoming to STC. The last time I stepped inside was in 2004(?) for my interview. But it was cut short when the man had to put a stop to me applying for Crew Pass, as he didn't want our big girl to have both parents away from her most times. I was outside STC at least twice after that as I picked my dear friend, Leila, up from there for our dinner / lunch date.
But they will only email successful applicants within 3 working days. Sigh....another angonising wait. So when they didn't email, I was rather upset thinking how can I not get any tickets since I managed to finish application in 2 mins. If they chose their applicants, or if they will only entertain those who made bookings of 5 instead of 4 and 2. I emailed them, they gave the standard reply. So apparently they replied me informing me on my successful application on the 4th day! I made my payment immediately to secure. Emailed tickets and all I had to do was to wait for D-Day.
I read queries by people who had applied for the tickets in the SIA FB. Most were asking when they would be informed. Then there were some comments by the public that they didn't secure tix though they applied within the 1 hour timeframe and if SIA chose the premium pax over the others. Someone said he's a PPS and was not successful too. Then there were 2 who said they applied for all 4 dates but not successful in any. Wow! I didn't think about applying many times, so I was DAMN LUCKY. Maybe it was the timing I chose, the 2nd timing which not many people would want.
D-Day
I can't describe my feelings when I walked through the main gate. I just needed to show my family this beautiful place.
The so familiar sign
