Job Description: International Flight Attendant, United Arab Emirates based with a leading International Airline* for the past 10 months.
What brings you back to Adelaide?
I am back on holidays for a few weeks as all my family are here, this is my hometown and I love getting back here to see family and friends.
Why did you choose this career and this particular airline?
I wanted to experience the world, travel and the many cultures around the world so I chose this profession and this airline because of its reputation for traveling to more destinations around the world than any other airline.
What is a standard pre flight schedule for you from home to take-off?
A standard day can run something like this.
Pickup from apartment 3 hours prior to outbound flight
Go through Immigration and Customs at airport
Get Pre-flight briefing – discuss destinations, and do safe talk ( safe talk is crucial as any non compliance with answers will see you offloaded)
Security checks – On board safety checks and general pre-flight preparations
How is your regular flight roster constructed?
Our rosters are dependant on the flights scheduled and the times associated with those flights. Our roster is created from a pool of over 14,000 crew who are all based in United Arab Emirates.
What has been a recent weekly flight schedule example?
Our roster and schedule changes from week to week. Just prior to flying home to Australia, I worked a week as follows:
Sunday – Midday – Outbound flight to Istanbul, TURKEY
Monday – 8am – Return flight to UAE – Afternoon rest day
Tuesday – Rest day
Wednesday – 2am – Outbound flight to Rome, Italy. Layover Wednesday night
Thursday – Day in Rome – Midnight – Return flight to UAE
Friday – Rest day
Saturday – am – Outbound flight to Kuwait – 11pm – return flight to UAE
What has been your favourite destination/s during your travels in this role?
Mauritius would have to be my favourite international destination as it is an island paradise. It is French colonized, African locals, and the weather is warm, the marine life is amazing and it is so healthy and clean, and the European cuisine is just exquisite. I am accommodated in a resort complex when there, so it is just amazing. I have been able to enjoy water-skiing, snorkeling, parasailing, visiting waterfalls and just taking in the truly relaxing environment…and the local brewed rum is a hit!
What is your favourite International city?
Paris by far due to its exciting “vibe” and the electricity it presents. The food is great and you can walk to all attractions such as The Louvre, Arc de Triomphe, EiffelTower, and Notre Dame. I love the fashion strips, cafes and restaurants.
What would be the most UNIQUE destinations you have been and why?
There is a couple. Firstly, I would say Capetown in South Africa as you have typical African countryside meeting the urban expanse of a big city, and impressive beaches, mountains etc. To me it is like a snapshot of the whole country in one location. Secondly, I would say Christchurch in New Zealand for its gorgeous history, buildings and crisp, fresh environment, and the New Zealand people are extremely hospitable.
What do you love most about your job?
I love traveling the world experiencing many different locations, cultures and backgrounds. It has really opened my eyes to what the world has to offer.
Is there and culture in particular that you have warmed to?
The Italian culture – they are such friendly, helpful, vibrant and hospitable people and of course the food is great.
Are there any challenges you face in your job that stand out?
Yes….aggressive passengers always challenge me.
What are your future plans with your career?
I have every intention on returning to my hometown of Adelaide, and staying within the travel industry. My family is based here and my home is where my heart is. My life experience of seeing the world will leave me with memories to last me a lifetime.
Do you have a favourite location in your hometown, Adelaide?
Henley Beach – I have many childhood memories and family links with HenleyBeach and my grandparents lived there for much of their life. I just love going there and walking the beach, visiting the jetty and the Henley Beach Square.
Do you have a favourite Australian location?
Other than home, Perth would have to be my favourite Australian location. I love that it is just like a big country town, similar to Adelaide, and people are friendly, the city is clean, and it has a feeling of being untouched.
What is your schedule when you return to work from this holiday break at home?
Well, when I return to work, I am scheduled to do outbound flights to Brisbane, Auckland and New Delhi, INDIA, and then I have a 1-week holiday in Greece. Yes, I know, it is tough! Ha-ha.
I had 7 years prior experience in gymnastics and knew someone who was involved with diving so decided to give it a go. I also had been involved in swimming, pole-vaulting and tennis.
Where do you undertake all of your training?
There are three locations I do most of my training. dry land work takes place at the National Trampoling /Aerial Training Centre at RoyalPark, gym work is undertaken at the SASI headquarters at KidmanPark, and all of my water training is undertaken at the Adelaide Aquatic Centre in North Adelaide.
Do you have a full time coach?
Yes. Michael Martens who is the Acting Head SASI coach, and I have two other discipline coaches focusing on other areas of my training.
What is your current daily training routine?
Morning: Start training at 6am, and depending on day of week, alternate between water, weight training, and dry land (trampolines etc). Usually finish around 7.30-8.00am
Afternoon: Have a rest period where I catch up with friends, work from home with my beauty therapy business, and do some “retail therapy”.
Evening: Start training at 4pm and this is usually all water training. Finish around 7pm, go home, eat and go to bed.
Can you expand further and outline what your normal weekly schedule consists of?
My weekly schedule consists of 4 days a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday) that I am following the above schedule. Thursdays I have the morning off and do a normal evening training, Friday evenings I usually do an additional dry land training session in place of a water session, and on weekends, I train Saturday mornings from 7am-11am varying between water, weights and dry land, and Sunday is my rest day. Yes, I do get 1 day off.
Is there anything that really challenges you with your training?
Diving requires a lot of patience, so not rushing my dives especially on the springboard. Also learning new dives is always challenging, as you have to undertake a lot of harness work on the trampoline, and place continued focus on technique.
In female diving, there are five dive groups. Front, back, reverse, inward, and twists.
What have been your diving achievements to date?
2004 Australian National champion for junior B (14/15 yrs old)
2004 4th in the World Junior championships in junior B (Brazil)
2004 1st, 1st and 3rd in Canada (CAMO)
2006 5th in the Russian Grand Prix, open competition
2006 5th in Junior World Championships in junior A (16 to 18 yrs old) Malaysia
2007 Australian National champion for junior A
What would be the highlight/s of all your achievements so far?
I would say the Canadian International event in 2004 when I came first in the Junior competition on the 7m platform, and 3rd in the 1m springboard.
Also my fourth in the 2004 Junior World Championships in Brazil on the 7m platform.
What locations around the world have you competed in diving?
All over Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Germany, Russia, USA, Brazil. I have been fortunate enough to experience some wonderful places ranging from Red Square in Russia, to the White House in the USA, to the Amazon in Brazil.
Is there anyone or anything that has inspired you with both your sporting and personal goals?
I have always admired Matt Helm, Olympian diver, plus many of the Australian divers I have competed against such as Sharlene Stratton, Bree Cole, Chantelle Newbery, Loudy Tourky-Wiggins and Melissa Wu.
Internationally, I have been inspired by Alexandre Despatie1, the Canadian male diver who won gold on the 10m platform at his first Commonwealth Games at the age of 13, and Chinese diverGu? J?ngj?ng2, who is considered the most successful female diver in Olympic history.
There was a moment at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony when Delta Goodrem sang, “together we are one” that has always stuck in my mind, and inspired me, and of course my mum. She is a great inspiration.
Are there any challenges you have faced in your sport that stand out?
Yes….Rehabilitation from a shoulder arthroscopy operation that I underwent to repair a fraying cartilage in January of 2007 and was back competing at the National Junior Championships in July 2007 where I placed 1st in the 1m springboard, 1st in the 10m platform and 2nd in the 3m springboard. It was one of my most challenging times to get myself back to competition fitness.
How many injuries have you had in your career thus far?
I have had injuries to my ankle, shoulder, foot, wrists, neck, back, tricep, hamstring, groin and even a broken toe. Did I leave anything out? I tore my tricep muscle at the Olympic trials in Adelaide in 2008 so that was disappointing.
What are your future goals with your sport right now?
I have a mix of short and long-term goals I am training towards right now. I am training towards competing in a competition in Canada in December this year, and then moving onto preparing for the National Open competition in Sydney in February 2010.The competition in Sydney is the first trial for the 2010 Commonwealth Games being held in New Delhi mid year, so I will be aiming to peak my training around this time. Long term, all going to plan, I am aiming for the 2012 London Olympics.
Who do you see as your biggest Australian rivals in competition?
I would say in the disciplines I will be competing in, Sharlene Stratton and Bree Cole will be my main competitors.
What nation do you class as having the best divers in the world?
China. They have produced some amazing athletes in diving.
Do you have a favourite location in your hometown, Adelaide?
I have a favourite café I love to visit called “Lunch on 9” which is located on Goodwood Road, Wayville. I love my retail therapy too, so a big fan of Marion shopping centre and Harbourtown.
