Lightning strike HYD

Do you know what is Diwali? It is a Hindu festival of lights celebrated between mid October and mid November. And that is precisely when, as by some game of irony, during my turnaround bound to Hyderabad (India), I had a lightning strike. A whole different on board lights festival!

But lets rewind. Peaceful departure, quite a calm night flight and Crew with only cabin trolley bag, since we were supposed to go back and forth the same night. And then through the pitch black night we heard raining, visibility zero. Couple of bumps here and there, but still ok. We latch ourselves on the jumpseats, cabin is ready for landing. Except the bad weather wouldn't let us! Bumps become more intense, visibility still zero, we can all hear the rain hitting the aircraft and then BUM, a blinding white light that showed me all the puzzled faces in the cabin, a sound as when a circuit breaker pops up at home and then darkness again. No worries, all commercial airplanes are manufactured with a conductive body, such as aluminum. Even the composite planes, such as the one we were flying on, are safe as long as they have the protective mash. Shortly after our pilot announces that we will be diverting to Bangalore. Another two airlines followed our example and diverted as well. That was not an aborted landing, as we didn't even get close to the ground, but it was a go around since we announced the landing with the control tower, but then weren't able to do so, until the decision of a diversion.

We finally landed safely in Bangalore at the first lights of dawn. Spectacular morning colors and a deserved break while the lightnings engineer is checking the aircraft for a possible damage, water tank gets topped up and petrol refueled. Ready to take those passengers to their festival destination, Hyderabad. Now we had daylight and the storm was gone, so we managed to land. But by that time the Crew wasn't legal anymore to operate the flight back to base. In fact duty hours surpassed 12h already. Sooooo improvised layover was the airline's verdict.

Diwali, Hindu festival of lights

We found ourselves in Hyderabad for a ground version (and more pleasant one!) of Diwali festival of lights! Yaaaaay! Thankfully our aircraft was a Boeing 787- 3 classes, meaning that the First Class had fancy amenities like pajamas, sleepers, toothbrush and socks. Just enough for our 13h layover.  But since then I have learned that some items are just essential to have on every single flight, just in case some unexpected situation like this happens! 

Make a list: t-shirt, leggins, flip flops, extra panties, toothbrush and paste, comb, make up, wet wipes, charger, little bag, tablet and a book!

Aborted landing CAI

This is something that you learn in the aviation academy and you train for in the simulator.

Aborted or rejected landing is when for some reason it is not safe to land anymore, so the pilots decide last minute to abort the landing. The reasons can be bad weather or technical issues, in any case the decision is made last minute, so there will be no communication about it, even though everyone will realize quite soon what is happening. Sometimes the landing gears already touched the ground when the plane goes back up in the air abruptly. The following action is to gain altitude, go around and attempt another landing. General rule is that after two unsuccessful attempts, it is advisable to opt for a diversion.

Thailand, Phuket airport attached to the beach

It can be a routine challenge, but when unfavorable conditions start to pile up, it can turn into a disaster. Do you remember that case of FlyDubai crash in Russia in 2016? I do very well, because just a couple of months after that I had my first rejected landing! It was a Cairo turnaround, demanding day, we all knew in advance. During the approach to Egypt pilots advised there is a sand storm in Cairo and the landing might be bumpy. Well, not only was it bumpy, but it seemed like the aircraft was dancing left and right all the time. At that time we were still cheerful and carefree as it is normal to have a bumpy landing. Until just before the touchdown we found ourselves attached to the back of the seat, heard the sound change and felt the abrupt motion of sinking before returning up in the air. That's how I can best describe the feeling of an aborted landing. It wasn't funny anymore. Too bad that we had 2 suppy Crew with us (newbees that just finished the academy and are doing their observation flights before finally getting their wings) and they were quite puzzled. The turbulence became so bad that the passengers started screaming and woooowing and unfortunately vomiting as well. I started to feel nauseous myself from all that shaking. Second attempt, fingers crossed. We are ready. But the weather doesn't get better and the landing gets aborted AGAIN. So that is the moment when I started thinking about FlyDubai case (peace be upon them), and began to worry. All the attention was on the pilots decision: divert or attempt again?! There were 2 more airlines who like us couldn't manage to land and were performing a go around as well for more than 1h. The situation was tense, the air was heavy, smelly and fragile. Everyone were serious and on alert. Third attempt. Shaking, dancing, shouts and then finally touchdown, we made it!!! A huge applause was heard in the whole cabin as a sense of relief was palpable. During the disembarkation people kept thanking the pilots who in this occasion came out to greet them. Cabin Crew included! I will not tell you about the mess in the cabin upon arrival. Looked like the hurricane passed our way!

And you would think that was the end of the day: I wish! We still had to operate the return flight and after the sand storm was gone we were safe to depart. On the way back we had a medical case, a diabetic person collapsing in the middle of the cabin, so we had to stop the service and assist him, since on the small Airbus 320 there isn't much space (he occupied the only existing aisle) and the Crew in economy are 2 (the suppies are there to observe only, remember?). Well it all ended well, paramedics assisted the casualty as soon as we landed. But back to base we truly thought among ourselves: "What a hell happened today?!". We were utterly exhausted from such a psychological effort on both sectors. After a day like that you just need to sleep and reset. Start over, thankful for a new day. 

I like to think about the new day with one of my favorites from Bublé "Feeling good".

Turbulence

Turbulence is a totally normal phenomena for the flying Crew, in fact there is no flight without a tiny bit of turbulence. The question is only when and how intense is it going to be.

But let's start from the basics. What is turbulence? It is an irregular motion of the air due to currents or even due to the motion produced by a bigger vehicle than yours (let's say you are flying on Airbus319 and you pass by Big Mama A380. It's like being on a highway on a motorcycle and passing by a truck, you get the idea, right?). 

Usually during the pre-flight briefing the flight Crew informs the Cabin Crew about the expected turbulence on route. They know the when and how intense while still on ground. That way Cabin Crew can plan the service accordingly. So most of the times they know already when it is coming, how long it is going to last and how strong it is going to be. Sometimes the route might be adjusted in-flight in order to avoid storms and possible turbulent areas. Pilots will never decide to go through an area of severe turbulence, because that can cause structural damage to the fuselage and take the plane out of control momentarily. So if that happens, it means it was unexpected. In other words it didn't show on the radars, it came out of the blue sky. And that is pretty much the only time you might experience severe turbulence, because pilots will avoid even the medium ones, while a light turbulence happens on a daily basis.

As a matter of fact, light turbulence can even be pleasant. I've heard many Crew say (including myself) that the best time for the turbulence to happen is during the in-flight rest on the long flights. It literally feels like you are cuddled to sleep! But if the bumps become too sharp turning to medium intensity, it might prevent you from sleeping. On the other side the worst timing for turbulence to happen is during the service. Spilling drinks on passengers or yourself is not fun. Neither pushing a 100kg heavy cart down the aisle against the strength of nature.

How will you know what intensity you are experiencing? If there are few bumps and your Cabin Crew continue the service and move around the cabin with nonchalance, it's probably light turbulence. If the bumps are persistent and your Crew discontinue the service and sit down themselves, that is most likely to be medium turbulence. I have never experienced the severe one, but I have colleagues who did. I also saw the effects of it, because they teach your that in the aviation academy. Something as heavy as the 100kg full cart with food, cutlery and drinks will be taken to the ceiling. Any person who is standing will fly to the ceiling. Any loose objects will hit the ceiling (and back). THAT is severe turbulence. If it happens, you'll be fully aware of it.

So why the pilots put the seatbelt sign on and then there is no turbulence?! Well first of all, unless it is unexpected and you're required to comply immediately (and you will, trust me), pilots will give you time to comply. So they will turn the seatbelt sign 5-10 minutes  before it starts, so even the people in the lavatory will have time to go back to their seat and secure themselves. Then Cabin Crew need to stay safe as well, so they first need to check on the passenger compliance and finally seat down themselves and that takes time. And finally sometimes the radars show certain intensity of turbulence which at the end turns out to be less strong than predicted. But better safe than sorry, right?

So the general rule is very simple: observe your Cabin Crew and copy paste. If they are seated with seatbelt fasten, there is a reason for it. You should do the same!

And one more tip. When you are sleeping with the blanket, fasten your seatbelt OVER the blanket, so it will be clearly visible. That way if there is turbulence during your nap, not only you'll stay safe, but Cabin Crew won't need to disturb you by waking you up to fasten your seatbelt. Because they will, it's their job. Simple as that.

Safe flights and clear skies!

Crosswind

Do you know what crosswind is? Quite intuitive, right? A wind blowing across your direction of travel. But have you ever experienced it? You know that time when you were riding your bicycle and the wind was so strong that you had to put all your effort and tend your muscles to the maximum in order to move forward? Or when you were crossing a bridge on a motorcycle and the wind seemed to move your vehicle sideways giving you the impression of being out of control?  Or maybe you felt in in a car on a highway when a truck passed by very fast and the mere size of it moved the air, therefor your car.

FedEx MD10 fighting crosswind

Well it also happens in the airplanes at the most critical stage of the flight which is take off or landing. Pilots are well trained for it, but you do need to be a good pilot to play with the wind (just saying). It is beautiful to see from outside, this elegant romantic dance between the nature and the huge metal tube with wings. Maybe not so fun to be in it during the dance, but for the Cabin Crew: we have all experienced it countless times. You do get used to it, no panic. It's part of the job. But the power of the wind...it is incredible how strong it is. These tones heavy machines seem a mere fly at the mercy of the wind, even the Big Mama (Airbus 380).

So during the landing approach when you see that the airplane is not so straight in the runway direction, but it looks like you are going to land sideways, no worries: it's a technique against the crosswind! Just keep that seatbelt tightly fastened and follow the Crew instructions, it is going to be fine!

photo credit: pdx.rollingthunder FedEx MD10 fighting crosswind via photopin (license)

Flight Attendants Uniforms

The story is old as the uniforms themselves. Just admit it: have you never been mesmerized by a person in uniform? Weather it is a policeman or a firefighter, captain of a boat or a flying pilot. Or maybe you have a thing for nurses and flight attendants. We must have learned it from the films or... uniform just gives that sense of authority and reverence at first glance, but it's up to you to keep it up afterwards.

Virgin American

In any case uniforms are super cool! Especially for those like me who hate to think about how to dress every morning. It's there, it's ready, that's not the reason you're gonna be late. Of course it is a bonus if the uniform is attractive and nicely fitting, then you'll never get bored of it. Also everyone looks kind of the same, so working environment has one less gossip on the plate.

Air France

Air Berlin

Uniforms represent the style and image of the company and even though the saying is "do not judge the monk by his habit", you will surely get one first impression just by the looks of it.

It is important that the uniform is of the best quality because you will be wearing it all the time  and for long hours. Stylish, comfortable, practical and resistant, not necessarily in the same order.

It has to be resistant because on board wear and tear effect happens really fast. After all you're not sitting in a chair or slowly walking around. Most of the time your running around in a rush, bending down, tip toeing, squeezing and sweating around. 

Practical uniform is designed to help in what you need to do. So for example, even though I love the design of the Korean Air uniform, that color must be awfully unpractical for a Cabin Crew job, getting dirty constantly. As it is wearing slippers at all times like in Singapore Airlines (it is already cold enough with ballerinas!).

You will spend countless hours in it, under abnormal conditions for the human body (pressure and altitude), maybe sometimes sleep with parts of it. So it has to be comfortable to wear. It's basically your second skin!

Finally about fashion...Yes, it is relevant, probably for both the Crew and the passengers. But it surely isn't the first thing to take into consideration. For instance in such a narrow aisles that we find ourselves to work in nowadays, passengers eyes cannot even get to see the shoes you are wearing. So why impose ridiculous standards about high heel shoes and brands. If safety is #1 priority, then the shoes should be comfortable and practical, first of all. Or make up and nail shades, hair style standards etc. There should be some general guidelines and a lot of common sense, but that's all. Everything beyond is nonsense. 

Emirates Airlines

On board less accessories the better. I know that once upon a time in some airlines Crew used to be modeling on board, walking long that aisle like on a catwalk. But that was glamorous era when they had plenty of time to do so and the whole concept of flying was different: more elegant, exclusive and luxurious. My generation can only dream about the good old times. What to do!

Etihad Airways

Etihad Airways

Alitalia

Turkish Airways

Speaking of the good old, it is interesting to take a glance into the vintage uniforms! Oh my, oh my!

From the very beginning
there were strict standards about
the Crew uniform

First uniforms were very much 
army like and that is because
Crew used to be primarily
nurses working hand in hand
with soldiers

In the '70s Crew uniforms followed the fashion of freedom in the hippies era

Flight Attendants are the face of the airline indeed. Soooo...
Happy Crew, happy passengers! Old golden rule 

My favorite pose: looks like it's evergreen!

Good bye, au revoir, auf Wiedersehen, arrivederci, hasta luego!