This time I'll post about some basic info about my current airline.
I've been flying with Saudi Arabian Airlines for 2 and a half years.
Living and base in Saudi Arabia. The first two years I was based in Jeddah and
moved to Riyadh since this year February. I’m flying Airbus, Boeing 777 and E70.
Saudia only hire female flight attendant from other countries and male flight
attendant are all Saudis. New hire will be giving approximately 3 months of
training and after graduate will bond 1 year for the airline.
Weather
Saudi
Arabia’s having 2 seasons. From April to September is summer and the highest temperature could reach 50’c. From October to
March is winter and I love winter time in Riyadh. Early in the morning it’s
only +/- 10’c.
Outfit
We can
only wear abaya ( essentially
a robe-like
dress) whenever we are out from the house and most of the local woman even
covering their face and hand.
Days
Off/Vacation
This is
what I like about this airline and I don’t think any other airlines giving this
kind of offer. Each month we are having 9-14 days off and at least 5 consecutive
days off per month. Some time it could be 8 days per month as well. So we can
fly back home with these days off or fly to any where for a short gateway every
month. 30 days of vacation leave in a year. The vacation is chose by month ,In
order to say we are flying for 11 months in a year only.
Salary
It’s tax
free working in Saudi Arabian Airlines. I started my basic salary with SR3100 (around
RM3069) after 6 months probation I get another SR200 increase. For each year the
basic salary will be increase SR200-300 as well. One month bonus is giving to those
flight attendant who reach 650 hours flying time in the pass one year. If you are a workerholic you may also open the
days off to willing to fly and extra allowance will be paid as overtime flying
hours.
(Basic +
Layover allowance + Base allowance + Grooming allowance + Over time bonus ) Average
each month will get around SR 8.5-10k.
Accommodation
& Transportation
All
flight attendants are staying in a compound provided by the company and I am
pretty lucky to get a single room in a villa house living together with another
2 Malaysian friends. The house is fully equip with air-condition and we do not
have to pay any bill. My house is located around 500meters away the check out-point,
is really difficult to walk out during summer time and also to avoid my makeup
melted before the flight I can always call the mini golf car to my house and
pick me up. Crew bus is always ready at the check-out point to send you to the
airport. From compound to airport is only 15-20min journey.
Benefits
Insurance
and medical are fully covered by the airline. Beside, each flight attendant
could enjoy 7 free tickets a year to any destinations that Saudia flying to.
Roster/Stanby
Normally we will get 2 to 3 international
and domestic layover with some roundtrips(day trip) in a month. Average flying
hours is around 75hrs each month. For standby or we call them reserve crew can
chose 6 days off in a month and the rest of the day will be standby. There are
2 different shift of stand by, Shift A 0301-1500; Shift B 1501-0300. 12 hrs
standby at home. “Golden call” could ring you any time. If so lucky that we receive
the call we will have 30min time to prepare ourselves and get to the check out
point.
Briefing
will be having 1hr30min before the departure time. And that’s the time we meet
all the crews who flying together in a briefing room. Supervisor and purser
will check the flight attendant’s documents and brief us about the service and
safety. Position will go by seniority as the most senior flight attendant or
FC(first class) crew have the priority to chose their desire position first. Once
we are on board we will change our jacket to vest for more comfortable during
service. Less than 1hr domestic flight will be beverage service. 1hr-2hrs
domestic flight will be beverage and cold snack and International flight will
be hot meal service. For long haul flight like US destination which more than
12hrs flight time we do open buffet after the first service. At this time some
of the crew will take their rest and others crew have to help them to cover
position until their turn to take rest. After we arrive, crew bus will take us
to hotel and that time is my favorite moment =) I can do anything I like and
enjoy my layover.
If you
wish to have a pair of wings come and join me.
