8th July 2016
I’m sitting in front of the fire place feeling really crappy about myself.
It’s safe to say that writing my previous post about Flight Attending really did jinx the job for me. After applying to become an Air Hostess back in March and going through the whole recruitment process for 5 months with flying myself to the Recruitment event, doing interviews and booking in my First Aid and Swimming Certificate I find out I can’t proceed with my application. *insert me sobbing here*
I got a call today from one of the nurses that the Airline hires to do Medical background checks and she said judging by my Optometrist report for my eyesight I can’t continue with the company as I don’t meet aviation guidelines.
Basically I have awful eyesight so I wear contact lenses and glasses ocassionally. Without them my vision is quite blurry, so in the event of an emergency or something happening mid – flight and my contacts come out its a safety hazard as it’s my job to keep the plane safe and help the passengers. 😥
I completely understand where they’re coming from but at the same time I wish I was told this at the beginning of my application and not right at the end when I’d basically told everyone I was 99% through.
My only option is to get laser eye surgery but I don’t have a spare $6000 lying around plus I’ve watched videos of it being done and it absolutely terrifies me. I don’t know what to do anymore.
I literally had my heart set on this career and was reading sooo many Cabin Crew blogs. I started watching Airline episodes and reading books on Flight Attending. Even though I hated wearing my hair in a bun I finally got it down pat and looked forward to wearing the uniform and getting glammed up for work (Even if it was at weird hours) *sigh* I don’t know…I was silly and had no other careers to fall back on or no other ideas on jobs floating around in my head.
Everyone suggests working as a travel agent but I hate selling stuff and I’m sick of sitting behind a desk at a computer. I just feel I’d be taking a back seat. I’m just feeling sad and unmotivated now, like my life has taken a stand still and I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m going to look into laser eye surgery but even if I got it done I have to wait 3 months before I can go through with the training in case it doesn’t work I guess?
The family cat keeps coming up to me for a pet. She’s usually a little bitch so I’m assuming she knows what’s up and is trying to comfort me.
Anyways, I guess that was my next update…
x
ThePassportPrincess 
I’m so sorry to hear that! I can’t believe wearing contacts disqualifies you from being a flight attendant … then again I don’t know how common it is for contacts to accidentally fall out. I’m sure you’ll find another great option for you, but I completely understand how disheartened you must feel right now. I hope you find the next best thing soon 🙂
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It’s not so much the fact I wear contacts, other flight attendants do too but I guess their eye sight isn’t as bad as mine without them 😔 it sucks so bad!
However, I’ve done a lot of googling and talking to other cabin crew from other Airlines and it looks like not all Airlines are that strict on it! I’m going to apply for basically the only other airline I can in New Zealand and see if they’re as strict on eyesight.
Thanks for your comment! 😊
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Oh I see. Well good luck with the other airline!!
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*hugs* That sounds incredibly frustrating 😦
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That is awful 😦 I have pretty bad eyesight too, one eye is -5.50 and the other is -5.75, is your’s worse than that?The nurse at my BA medical didn’t seem too concerned about it at all. Hope your feeling better soon x
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Really! My eye sight is only -1.75 in one eye and -1.50 in the other.
Now that I’ve researched it it seems they’re one of the few airlines that are strict about it so hopefully I can find another airline to apply with.
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Hi Sarah, I’m sorry to hear that- I had NO idea that this could happen! I wear glasses and never had any problems… I have lots of people who visit my website for cabin crew advice and I think this information would be really valuable to them- would you be interested in writing a short guest post about your experiences? We can then link it back to your blog to get you a bit more traffic etc… If you’re interested drop me an e-mail at hayley@lifeasabutterfly.com
http://www.lifeasabutterfly.com
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Hey Hayley
Yeah sure I can do that. I’m assuming it’s only selected airlines because I’ve had people who work for Qantas tell me that they’re not that strict on it so I’m going to see about applying with them.
I assumed it would have been all airlines if it’s an Aviation health and safety thing but I guess I could see!
I’ll email you 😊
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How disappointing! Such a shame you weren’t aware of this at the beginning. Maybe you could become a tour guide?
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Hola Sarah, Do you know what NO means? It’s just N.O. = Next Opportunity. There are many great things to take out of this experience.
1)It’s not you; it’s a real body challenge. (and you do have a solution, not financially easy but not impossible)
2)You have time to improve more in other areas. Example: get more customer service experience within the industry.
3)Keep growing your blog, this can turn into a major personal and business success too.
4)You are in a different position now, because you have a $$ to target for your eye surgery.
why not creating couple short-guides from your previous trips? then tag a price and start selling them. (I am sure they already told you that one)
Airlines hire up to age 35; I think. You have plenty time, take your time to recharge your batteries and go for it.
Oh about the cat thing, yes they are super smart I have back in Panama 3 Persians cats. Venus, Zeus, and Merlin! They always know what is happening.
Be Strong, Be Smart, Be You
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Hey Jose’, Thanks for that!
Yes, I think if it came down to it my parents would help me with paying for the Laser Eye surgery, It’s just that my eye sight has changed in the last year so I think it has to stay the same strength for at least 1-2 years before they can accept me for Laser Eye Surgery.
It sucks coz I have so much Customer Service experience but if you saw from my latest post I’ve applied for another Airline so I’ll see where that takes me 🙂
You never know, I could actually end up hating the job and want to do something else! Maybe it’ll just come to me 🙂
Thanks for your nice comment!
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