Whether you are travelling for business or for pleasure, we all have a tendency to think of flying as getting from A to B. We jump on board the flight, take our seats, check out the latest movie offerings and try to tune out as much background noise as we can until landing. If you are anything like Olly and I, you will also turn your head left and right as you wait for the food trolley to come up the aisle. Do we appreciate the hard work the cabin crew do? Of course, we are always polite towards them but do we give them enough credit? The simple answer is, no!
I’ll be honest, I am a fussy flyer. Not in terms of asking for things on board a flight or worrying about which seat I am in. I am fussy about which airline I choose to fly. Reputations mean a lot to me. There are only a handful of airlines that I have flown which really meet my expectations time and time again. One of those being Singapore Airlines. Thats why when we visited the Singapore Airlines Training Centre recently I was mind blown by how much training really goes into being a cabin crew on one of the highest ranked airlines in the world. Let me just say it is not a walk in the park.
How can you visit the Singapore Airlines Training Centre?
Unfortunately, you can not just turn up to the Singapore Airlines Training Centre which is located close to the Airport in Singapore. Previously however, there have been opportunities for the public to wander through. From the outside, it looked like a regular office building. People were coming and going with their security badges. We had to sign in as well to be granted access.
What is learnt during the 14 week training programme?
Becoming a cabin crew is not an easy job to begin with. Firstly, they must go through an intensive interview process before undertaking the training programme. Which goes for 14 weeks! There is a mix of classroom and on-the-job training.
1. Social Etiquette, Personal Grooming and Passenger Handling Skills
Trainees learn about the fundamentals of social etiquette, personal grooming and passenger handling skills. While both the Male and Female cabin crew (known as the iconic “Singapore Girl”) have guidelines to follow, there is more involved with a Singapore Girl’s appearance.
For example, how they should do their make up and hair. Based on their appearance, they will be given recommendations for eyeshadow tones, hairstyles and nail colours. It’s all about making females feel their best possible self.
Personally, I would love to undertake makeup classes. Who else agrees? One difference between working a 7 hour shift at a restaurant is that the cabin crew work long haul flights of up to 17.5 hours. This means touch ups are encouraged so they maintain a fresh and glowy look.
2. Meal Service Procedures
Meal service procedures are an important part of the programme. They must know about the food offerings as well as the alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. It’s important that they practice remembering dietary requirements and how guests take their tea and coffee (especially for Business and First Class guests).
Did you know that when serving food they must use their hand furthest from the on board guests? This is to avoid knocking them as well as any smells. Yes, no one smells great after a 14 hour flight!
We actually got to practice serving food while we were at the Singapore Airlines Training Centre. As we wheeled the trolley down the aisle, we quickly realised it was not as easy as it looks. The meals we were serving were the Bento Boxes which are now available on short-haul flights that are under 3.5 hours. They are served in leak-proof boxes alongside a cutlery pack made of bamboo with a paper wrap. We tried the famous Singaporean Laksa and Chicken a la King.
3. Safety First
Security, safety and first aid procedures are the most important things learnt during the training programme. Trainees must practice under all conditions and be prepared for all scenarios.
When we were at the Singapore Airlines Training Centre we watched as they filled the simulator in darkness and smoke to practice rescuing people from the aircraft. From there, they evacuated down inflatable slides which take 6 – 8 seconds to inflate.
There is also a large wave pool where trainees practice evacuating into choppy water. Keep in mind they do this while wearing their uniforms. For the Singapore Girls this means a full length skirt.
Other interesting facts about the Cabin Crew on board Singapore Airlines
1. There are spaces on board the aircraft for cabin crew to rest
Has anyone else wondered if the cabin crew rest during a long-haul flight? It is something we have always thought about! Well, we can confirm there are places for them to rest. Depending on the type of aircraft, these will either be above or below some of the passenger seats. To access this space, there is typically a door that’s located in the galley of the aircraft.
2. It’s someone’s job to taste wine in a pressurised room
Can you imagine having a day job that involves tasting wine? Sounds pretty good hey! It is a crucial job as the flavours of the wine taste different at altitude than it does down on land. The combination of lower pressure and lower humidity inside a plane cabin actually accentuates wine’s acidity and alcohol.
So if you find a wine on board that you enjoy, just keep in mind that the flavours won’t be the same if you purchase it in-store.
3. The Singapore Airlines Suites are a private oasis
While this isn’t particularly related to the Singapore Airlines Cabin Crew, we were blown away by the modelled Suites which are exclusively located on the A380 aircrafts. We had to take some photos of course!
With individual cabins and private sliding doors, these seats have a standalone bed as well as a swivel chair. Sit back and relax while you enjoy over 1,000 entertainment options on your 23 inch LCD screen.
If you are travelling with a partner, you can book two suites adjacent to one another. This creates a double room for you both to enjoy.
If you want to read more about our experience on board the Singapore Airlines A380 have a read here.
X KO Travellers
