How to survive on high heels

Frankly, it never occurred to me that they would actually hire me when I applied for the job of cabin attendant at KLM. Sure, I did want that job badly. What better could one dream of than getting paid for travelling around the world?
I presumed – no, I was convinced – that I wouldn’t make a good stewardess so my application was another case of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’. After sending it, I didn’t spend days next to my post-box, looking out for the postman. I forgot about it and just went on making plans for my future.

So I was rather surprised when I received the big YES. Even more surprised (completely flabbergasted!) were my family and friends. Some of them were even rude enough to suggest that KLM might have made a mistake (thank you for being my friend). But I did understand their disbelief because ‘clumsy’ is my middle name. This does have some advantages: no one would ever ask me to help washing dishes, for instance. Another reason for my loved ones to have difficulty in imagining me as a stewardess was a simple one: how would I survive on high heels? My footwear mainly consisted of flip-flops, sneakers and boots (depending on the season), so I understood their doubts.

high healsBut I did survive on high heels, and I still do. And though I did break a few cups and glasses, my clumsiness decreased and I’ve stopped giggling every time I tell someone that I’m a stewardess.
Furthermore, I learned that there is more to being cabin crew than ‘getting paid for travelling around the world’. We also get paid for being flexible, patient, alert, understanding, accurate, strict, friendly, decisive, empathetic, proactive, approachable and genuine. Our job is about handling time differences and jetlags, sleepless nights, hundreds of different cultural habits, sudden changes in our schedules (and therefore in our private life) and much more. It’s about tuning in to the different needs and moods of hundreds of individuals on every flight.

I went berserk when I got the big YES back then. I still think I’ve got the best job ever because I’ve seen so many places, met so many people. Each one of them with a different story, a different reason to travel. And I hope to meet many more.
I feel honoured to share my weekly experiences with you, right here. And I’m looking forward to learning about your experiences too.

Caroline

Posted by:   Caroline  | 
Join the conversation Show comments

Mirjam

wat een leuk verhaal!

Janna

Great blogpost Caroline! Can’t wait to read more of your stories!

Janna

Great blogpost Caroline! Can’t wait to read more of your stories!

Lollie B

Great to see the blog return. I enjoy reading it. A bit disappointed with this though as there certainly aren’t any tips on how to survive on high heels :(

Lollie B

Great to see the blog return. I enjoy reading it. A bit disappointed with this though as there certainly aren’t any tips on how to survive on high heels :(

Radu

Hey, thanks for taking the time to let us inside KLM. I don’t know if you’ve ever been the flight attended on any of my flights with KLM but you guys always make a great job!

Radu

Hey, thanks for taking the time to let us inside KLM. I don’t know if you’ve ever been the flight attended on any of my flights with KLM but you guys always make a great job!

Carlotta Meomartini

OMG..this is me! but for the moment please cross your fingers for me…

Carlotta Meomartini

OMG..this is me! but for the moment please cross your fingers for me…

Estherschneider

Hi Caroline,
My compliments.
I look forward to reading your blog every week.
It is again very well written and funny.
Beautiful English. Fun and educational for my english to read.

Greetings Esther
KLM colleague

Estherschneider

Hi Caroline,
My compliments.
I look forward to reading your blog every week.
It is again very well written and funny.
Beautiful English. Fun and educational for my english to read.

Greetings Esther
KLM colleague

Renee Broecheler

Hi Caroline,
nice picture,
many greetings
Renée Shanghai

Renee Broecheler

Hi Caroline,
nice picture,
many greetings
Renée Shanghai

Kjetil

Caroline

I am loyal to KLM when I fly, and you blog that I just discovered I will be loyal to as well. A good reason for that, I enjoyed it and made me smile.

Look forward to what coming up.

http://kjetilinhouston.blogspot.com/

Kjetil

Degroot-brusse1

Thanks Caroline!
Always funny your writing!
Your collegue Christine

Degroot-brusse1

Thanks Caroline!
Always funny your writing!
Your collegue Christine

helma

I love to read your stories Caroline, please continue to tell about our wonderful job !

helma

I love to read your stories Caroline, please continue to tell about our wonderful job !

Rachelle Heessels

Hi Caroline,
Nice to read your blog: keep up sharing your( our) lives “up in the air”!
Rachelle

Rachelle Heessels

Hi Caroline,
Nice to read your blog: keep up sharing your( our) lives “up in the air”!
Rachelle

Caesar

Hey Caroline! This is lovely to be able to read your experiences airborne, please keep it up, amazing feeling knowing what flight attendants really feel.
I am falling in love KLM.
I have flighted MAD to AMS Schipol; absolutely smooth episode, truly know-how airline…

Caesar

Hey Caroline! This is lovely to be able to read your experiences airborne, please keep it up, amazing feeling knowing what flight attendants really feel.
I am falling in love KLM.
I have flighted MAD to AMS Schipol; absolutely smooth episode, truly know-how airline…

Guest

It’s a very nice and inspiring story but OFF topic. Where is the answer to the question: How to survive on high heals. It just says “I survived” but where is that magic HOW?

Guest

It’s a very nice and inspiring story but OFF topic. Where is the answer to the question: How to survive on high heals. It just says “I survived” but where is that magic HOW?

Jack

Hi Caroline,
I’m looking for Renée Broecheler. I saw her name in your blog. The Renée I worked with is about 45 and she was born in Gulpen. I worked with her at Adecco in 1983. Do you know her? It would be very nice to come in contact with her again.
Thnx, Jack Jansen info@topresults.nl

Jack

Hi Caroline,
I’m looking for Renée Broecheler. I saw her name in your blog. The Renée I worked with is about 45 and she was born in Gulpen. I worked with her at Adecco in 1983. Do you know her? It would be very nice to come in contact with her again.
Thnx, Jack Jansen info@topresults.nl

Josue Berru

Hi Caroline! I’ve read all your posts and I admire your job! keep up the good work KLM is my favorite airlines for its safety, professionalism, service..etc.
Have you ever flown to Ecuador ? That’s where I’m and where I live :D

Josue Berru

Hi Caroline! I’ve read all your posts and I admire your job! keep up the good work KLM is my favorite airlines for its safety, professionalism, service..etc.
Have you ever flown to Ecuador ? That’s where I’m and where I live :D

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Mella Incoom

Hello Caroline.. I think we are almost d same when it comes to clumsiness…. Are u still working at KLM? I will love to have u as a friend… My name is Manuela from Ghana

Roll up ballet flats

Nice article with a lot of info!

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