An opportunity came up for me to go to an open call for a flight attendant position with Air Canada in Toronto. On February 22, 2010, I took a risk and I flew to Toronto during the busiest and most expensive flying times of the year, because at the time it was the Vancouver 2010 Olymics.
I booked my flight that very same day. The following day I was on the plane flying to Toronto. I Flew on the redeye flight from Vancouver right after I got off work.
I got ready at the airport and went off to the open call at the Hyatt Hotel.
I didnt know what to expect, I have never been to an open call before. When I got there I was in shock by the amount of people that turned out. I was later told that an estimate of 2500 showed up combined on the first and second day. I waited in line for about six to seven hours and finally it was my turn to meet the interviewer. My heart was beating so hard and I was shaking. I was so nervous. After fifteen minutes of being interviewed they asked me to proceed to french language testing, and oh my goodness this made me even more nervous, but the good thing is I passed my French testing! They rated me 2 out of 4 which was more than I thought I was going to get. Then she asked me to come back the following day for Spanish language testing. I got 4 out of 4 on that. After I passed the first 15 minute interview, the French testing and the Spanish testing, they asked me to come back to Toronto the following week for a second interview.
As I was on my way back to Toronto International Airport to catch my flight I realized once I got there my flight wasn't for that day but for the following day! I went up to the counter agent who was very friendly and I explained my situation and she said it wasn't a problem and that she could get me on the flight that was leaving in 15 minutes! I was so grateful!
She put me on the 1900h flight to Sydney Australia via Vancouver I rushed through the airport and through security and once I boarded the plane I couldn't find my seat! I asked the flight attendant where my seat was and she said I was in the wrong cabin and that my seat was at the front of the plane in the executive class cabin! I couldn't believe it! Everything seemed to be working out! I sat next to a very nice young lady who later I found out was a flight attendant for Air Canada. She even let me use her discount so I could afford to fly back to Toronto for the second interview. She is now a great friend of mine!
When I arrived in Vancouver I had such a drive to succeed and accomplish my goal and dream. I studied the company, the aircrafts, the history of Air Canada, everything about Air Canada. I wanted to be as prepared as I could be.
The following week when I returned to Toronto I was nervous, excited, so many emotions where going through me!
First they asked us to fill out a psychological exam followed by a 45 minute one on one interview with one of the recruiting flight attendants, followed by a 4 person group situational scenario. After all these test were completed only the successful candidates where asked to come back for a final step, which was an airline medical examination where they tested our blood, urine,hearing, sight, reflexes, measured our hight and weight and even our flexibility.
They didn't tell us right away wether we get the position or not so I waited and waited.
Three weeks went by. When I checked my email I received a letter that read ...
"Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you a position in our Initial Flight Attendant Training program beginning May 3rd, 2010. Your training will be conducted in our Montreal training centre. You will be based in Toronto as a Permanent Flight Attendant immediately following your course."
My jaw dropped! I could not believe all the hard work, dedication, time and effort had finally paid off!
So now I am very pleased to tell you guys that I am a flight attendant!
Three years later I am loving every second of my job! I've been to so many places around the world and have met amazing people doing it. I have been to temples in Japan, I've shopped and toured in Beijing and Shanghai, I've soaked up the sun on the beaches of Sydney, Australia, I've wined and dinned in Santiago, I've stood under the Big Ben in awe, I've strolled the beautiful streets of Paris. I could go on and on but I wont! The future looks bright! Im excited to see what the future holds for me. Keep tuned for future updates!!
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