The above link is to a photo album via Pbase.com. It's the life of a now (ex)
KLM f/a. Her contract was up and she was out. While it lasted it was a great job, clearly, and was well documented through her pictures. There are many of them.
Great find and a great few moments to view such a great album. Both on and off the job
GlobeTrekker From Netherlands, joined Dec 2003, 851 posts, RR: 16 Reply 1, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 11312 times:
This was a KLM flight attendant based in HKG
KLM has F/A and onboard translators for flights to ICN, KIX, NRT, PVG, PEK and HKG. I also think they did that on the KL 0877 to BKK/TPE.
All of them carry two stripes and are hired only for a certain period. (I think 4 years maximum).
KLM also had local F/A from India on its flight to BOM, DEL and CCU. I think they were loans from Jet Airways? Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
Do more airlines have crew basis outside their own country, specifically designed to overcome cultural and language barriers?
Globe Trekker
[Edited 2005-03-08 09:22:01]
The World Is A Book And Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only A Page
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3185 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 5 days 1 hour ago) and read 10681 times:
My best friend was a LHR based Senior JL F/A
he did not know Japanese much, but atleast he knew English and was European, so he qualified and flew the Europe-Japan and Australia-Japan sectors, even the Japan-India.
he now works as an F/A on BA with Eurofleet LHR, got tired of the long haul for now.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
Lockheed1011 From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 156 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 20 hours ago) and read 9206 times:
GlobeTrekker From Netherlands, joined Dec 2003, 851 posts, RR: 16 Reply 6, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 18 hours ago) and read 7488 times:
Quoting Malaysia (Reply 3): My best friend was a LHR based Senior JL F/A
he did not know Japanese much, but atleast he knew English and was European, so he qualified and flew the Europe-Japan and Australia-Japan sectors, even the Japan-India.
Quoting Anthsaun (Reply 5): BA serves the LHR-MEX route with mexican F/A along with British F/A
Is this because of language barriers?
Thanks.
Globe Trekker
The World Is A Book And Those Who Do Not Travel Read Only A Page
Uafan17 From United States of America, joined Mar 2004, 120 posts, RR: 0 Reply 9, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 7130 times:
wow interesting, yesterday i was flying IAD-ORD on UA and a lot of the crew members they had were based in LAX, SFO and DEN spoke many different languages which made it more interesting. BTW, UAL has a hub in NRT i believe to take care of the F/A issue.
CX777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 152 posts, RR: 3 Reply 10, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 7006 times:
Having flown KLM numerous times, I can see why KLM experience was always great. Its the 'spirit and enthusiasm' of such fine person that makes it all possible. Enjoyed the album. Thanks.
DC10GUY From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 2685 posts, RR: 7 Reply 11, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 6788 times:
Nice photo album. And a very pretty young lady too. KLM is one of the greatest airlines of all time.
Next time try the old "dirty Sanchez" She'll love it !!!
QuestAir From United States of America, joined Dec 2004, 365 posts, RR: 0 Reply 13, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 6315 times:
Actually, I'm surprised that KLM didn't crack down on this like DL did with that other blog!
But seriously, I have flown BOS-DEN and back quite a few times, and a flight attendant on board (he always seemed to be on this route) spoke Swedish. Don't know why he's on a BOS-DEN flight!
'Do we carry rich people on our flights? Yes, I flew on one this morning and I�m very rich.' - Michael O'Leary
N1120A From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 25852 posts, RR: 79 Reply 14, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 16 hours ago) and read 6001 times:
UA actually has a LHR F/A base as well as in their hubs.
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Speedbird2025 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 5730 times:
What a wonderful album.. Ada sure has a lot of nice colleagues
I sure do miss Amsterdam myself after looking at all those pictures. What a great city it is! Thx for sharing the album Matt.
Bogota From Colombia, joined Sep 2004, 735 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 5543 times:
BA has bases in all of Latinamerica, Middle East, India and parts of the Far East that I recall. I travelled once to Tokyo with BA and very big delegation from Colombia, and for our surprise we had a Colombian based cabin crew on the LHR-NRT sector.
UA777222 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 3348 posts, RR: 13 Reply 17, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 15 hours ago) and read 5300 times:
Quoting QuestAir (Reply 13): Actually, I'm surprised that KLM didn't crack down on this like DL did with that other blog!
If anything I'd consider re-hiring this fa! (JK) I think this shows how great of a company KLM is. The way she speeks and the way that the crews are shown can only boost businss from KLM. It shows that they are a great respected airline that passengers and crew alike love!
AWspicious From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 10 hours ago) and read 3258 times:
Cool photo album. It's quite clear that Ada and the gang had a great time at KLM. Then again, it seems Ada always has a good time no matter where she is (I quickly skimmed through some of her other photo albums) ...Camera always at the ready to preserve the memories.
I wonder who owns that collection of airplan models. I've got the same display cabinets for my models. The add-on lights are a nice touch. It's a pity Ikea discontinued the line because I wish I could get just one more of those display units (hint hint)
Anyway, cool pics. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
Qqflyboy From United States of America, joined Oct 2003, 2198 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 9 hours ago) and read 2896 times:
American has bases in Bogota, Buenos Aires, Lima and Santiago. They are all staffed by foreign nationals, ie, they are not American citizens. They have different pay scales, different work rules and don't belong to the AA flight attendant union, APFA.
The views expressed are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect my employer’s views.
NWrr From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 84 posts, RR: 0 Reply 20, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days 7 hours ago) and read 2780 times:
Quoting QuestAir (Reply 13): Actually, I'm surprised that KLM didn't crack down on this like DL did with that other blog!
Makes you wonder what KLM would think of this. However, the big difference is that this F/A is no longer employed with KLM, due to her contract expiring. The DL F/A was still on active payroll.
Welcome to the back of the boat...the non-rev section
NYCFlyer From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1381 posts, RR: 10 Reply 21, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 4 days ago) and read 2466 times:
big difference: the DL f/a was in suggestive positions in her photo album. None of this is suggestive. It's wholesome, clean fun. This shows the f/a taking pride in her work in and out of the office, and it shows the KLM staff bonding. That's good PR for an airline, kind of like the show "Airline" with WN - unlike seeing the DL f/a in a mini with lots of cleavage (not like I mind that sort of thing myself, but I'm not the CEO of DL).
Malaysia From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 3185 posts, RR: 0 Reply 22, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 2427 times:
NW has NRT base, but most of its F/A on the NRT-ASia routes are hired from BKK/MNL so they can work on a very low salary and most never even see the US. (no visas) I felt bad when some of the NW F/A based in BKK, MNL were all complaining to me about how NW treats them worse and the benefits are cut down much, since they do know the real pay and salaries, the NRT/USA ones get.
There Are Those Who Believe That There May Yet Be Other Airlines Who Even Now Fight To Survive Beyond The Heavens
Lima From Argentina, joined May 1999, 1122 posts, RR: 16 Reply 25, posted (8 years 2 months 2 weeks 3 days 7 hours ago) and read 1895 times:
Not only cultural barriers, but also costs. Airlines are able to save money as normally cabin crews under temporary contracts in foreign countries cost them less, so there is certainly an economic reason also.
Countries like Australia (Qantas has foreign crews in Bangkok, Auckland), Netherlands or UK among others have enough multicultural societies as if the need to hire personnel that can speak others languages should be the sole purpose. Don't forget costs!
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