Ultra long range flying is attractive to flight attendants because we are only paid for the time after we push back from the gate until we land. We get a base rate of pay (less than minimum wage) and then we make an hourly rate per flight hour based on our seniority. A lot of us liked the long haul flights because you can pack a lot of flying into 3 days and then get to fly fewer days in the month, allowing more time off. With ATL-DXB coming in around 16:30 hours of flight time each way compared to just over 8 hours ATL-London, it was harder on the body but the time off was better.
So off to Dubai I went to check out that part of the Middle East. I anticipated it would be substantially different than visiting Kuwait on the eve of the Gulf War, and final approach confirmed my suspicions.
By the time our crew bus arrived at our hotel after mingling in substantial traffic with Rolls Royces, Bentleys and Maybachs, past tall mirrored buildings boasting ski resorts inside, it felt more like Las Vegas on steroids. Oil had been very very good to them.
Our hotel was beautiful, since just about everything is new there. It was attached to a stunning mall and athletic complex so you really never had to go outdoors when the heat of summer cranked up. Due to the length of the flight, this was not a big trip for crew socializing. By the time you had signed in 2 hours pre-departure and briefed and prepped the aircraft, flown for over 16 hours and then spent another hour deplaning and getting to the hotel, you were pushing past the 20 hour mark when you saw that bed in your room. A lot of us would change quickly into something modest and respectful and head over to the attached mall that housed a fabulous Carrefour store. That thing was the size of an indoor football stadium at least, and packed with every imaginable item you could want. It was the Shuk in Tel Aviv with burlap sacks of fresh spices and rows of fresh vegetable stands, combined with Whole Foods and Super Target. I would usually grab some fresh dates, hummus, pita and fruit and head back to my room just glowing with joy. Yes, those are the things that your flight crew member craves in every city. We call that a hot spot!
One week we arrived on the first day of Ramadan. The flight was packed and it was wicked hot out so when we got to the hotel we did not want to head out in the heat with more people. We had been briefed on the condensed version of what to expect during Ramadan, but it really hit home when Carrefour was not open. OK, that was the information we really needed in briefing.
I decided to use my time until sundown (during the month it is required that you fast every day from sunrise to sundown) in my room with my water behind closed doors quite privately and take some time for introspection to learn more about Ramadan. The fasting actually had a very pure and inspirational meaning. By fasting, people were allowed more time away from worldly activities and events and spend time reflecting and freeing themselves from impurities. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches self-discipline and empathy for those who have less and encourages acts of charity. To develop compassion towards those who are poor and in need.
That was something I absolutely loved about immersing myself in other countries and cultures and learning what their beliefs were actually based on.
I dozed quietly feeling a little guilty for drinking the water and woke hours later to the sound of the sunset Call to Prayer.
The next night as we arrived at the airport, our crew realized why our airline would eventually pull out of the UAE, but it was just business as usual at the time. We were all held up at security and immigration due to some “paperwork discrepancies.” The pilots were escorted away and the rest of us knew to sit quietly and ask no questions as we were guests in a very foreign country. About a half hour later our pilots returned and we all proceeded per usual to our aircraft. I learned that every time we departed Dubai, our large commercial airline (and all others no doubt) had to pay a hefty fee on the day of departure pretty much off the record, if you get my drift. It seems that day either the transaction got held up or they decided they wanted more (because they could) and hence the delay. The Captain’s Amex was going to light up with that charge in the middle of the night don’t ya know…
There it was, my career was pretty much about delays and education. That kind of sums it up!
When we arrived at the gate, a painfully obvious Air Marshall tried to discreetly sidetrack us and brief us. It seemed Ramadan was open season for terrorist activity and we had a threat on our aircraft. We did not want to use local law enforcement or military so the job of searching and clearing the aircraft for departure was on us. We had been trained for this and updated that training annually as methods developed and advanced, but that was training.
In Montana, we had a saying:
When it comes to breakfast: the chicken is involved, the pig is committed.
We were there and we were now the pigs. No time or use to ask to be replaced, just suit up and do it.
So you guessed it, delay.
We searched every item (I’m not going to go into detail, but yes, EVERY item) and space on that aircraft. Then we let a dog go through.
I kept thinking, first guy who complains about his meal getting cold is wearing it. I did not sign up for bomb tech without a helmet.
Delays, education and glamour. I wouldn’t trade it!!
Whitefish Dog and Home 