AGE NO BARRIER TO FLIGHT ATTENDANT'S 'HIGH-FLYING' CAREER

KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 (Bernama) -- Nordin Razali is 60 years old and works as a flight attendant. Still looking fit, he cuts a dashing figure and is full of energy as he attends to the requests of passengers and ensures their safety with a smile on his face.

With 35 years of experience in the airline industry under his belt, the Kuching-born father-of-four credits self-discipline, including healthy eating and regular exercise, for helping him stay at his best and remain relevant in a career that demands physical and mental resilience while emphasising physical appearance.   

Nordin, who started his career with Malaysia Airlines in 1989 before moving to AirAsia in 2006, attained his official retirement age on Feb 27 when he turned 60 and is now working for the low-cost airline on a contractual basis. 

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He said he never intended or even dreamed of becoming a flight attendant and that “everything fell into place naturally” after completing his higher studies in 1989.

“This was the best job I could get at that time but it eventually became a career and an integral part of my life.

"Thirty-five years is not a short time and I’ve become comfortable in this field. In fact, I’m a little afraid to try out other jobs. In terms of income, it is sufficient for me to live a comfortable life and raise my children," he told Bernama.

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Nordin said he is fortunate he can continue serving in the aviation industry without sacrificing his time with his family as AirAsia has allowed him to be based in his home state, Sarawak, and be part of the cabin crew for domestic flights.

“For the last 17 years, I was in the international flight sector and had to be far away from home to earn a living,” he said.

Sharing some tips on how to be a good flight attendant, Nordin said while patience and communication skills are important, cabin crew members also need to be mentally and emotionally prepared to deal with “all types of passengers”.

"Many people are interested in this job because they think it's glamorous and that all they need to do is smile and greet passengers, 'Hi, Good Morning’, and get to travel to other countries, but when they start working (as a flight attendant), they realise it is not what they expected.

"That’s why not all of them can stay long in this job. Members of the cabin crew require a lot of stamina and physical strength, as well as mental strength when managing an emergency situation or difficult passengers. They are also responsible for ensuring passenger safety," added Nordin, who also owns a cafe in Kuching and hopes to establish his own hospitality company in the future to leverage his experience and knowledge.

-- BERNAMA