July 22’2006 – The day I won’t forget! It’s the day I signed my 3 years renewable contract to Qatar Airways!!! Out of more than a thousand of people who submitted resume online, only 300 were call on for the initial screening & interview, only 200 hundred applicants has been call on for an International Airline assessment, became 54 who made it during the assessment, screening, English Proficiency & exams, down to 24 all in all including other batch. I was so thankful to Almighty God for all the blessings! Prayer can move mountain…

Now my next steps are full medical exams/dental exams and full of vaccinations! As well as the authentication of NBI clearance approved by Malacanang, Qatar Embassy, POEA, etc.. During the pre-employment orientation, they were discussing the benefits while we were signing contract. We are also given an offer letter from Qatar Airways stating all the benefits & advantages, I almost cried, I really love to travel to different countries which I already start doing since I was younger… I was so overwhelm of happiness especially when I’ve read the congratulatory letter, stating:

Dear Ms. Villanueva

CONGRATULATIONS! We are very pleased to inform you that you have been successful at your final interview, you are selected to join our Cabin Crew team on the condition that the Qatar airways pre-employment complete medicals has been passed….and so on… I enjoyed every single minute of it, I even read the advantages of being a Flight attendant over and over again.

Summary of The Offer letter in my contract:

Very high salary + hourly flying pay + meal allowances depending on the country and lots of bonuses! For the uniform it’s from the luxury
European brand by ‘Jaeger’ and an impact resistant made from aircraft aluminum ‘Delsey’ 3piece luggage bag.
Monthly fair rostering system that ensures a fair allocation of trips
30 calendar days leave, ticket is provided.
Shared by 2-3 free accommodation in fully furnished, air-conditioned brand new apartments including utility. Each person has their own bedroom
Free transport between Airport & apartment
Free 5 star hotel accommodation overseas and free transport between airport and hotel.
Will undergo to an intensive 7 weeks training programme on all aircraft types.
Concessionary travel are available to you and your family members: Including 1 free ticket from home based to Qatar, 50%-90% reduced price of tickets including to other airlines.

July 23’2006- My family and I started the week attending mass at Our Lady of Fatima, then go to photo studio because I need additional 24 passport pictures in white background and 36 passport pictures in Navy blue background for Qatar, because it will be used in our I.D, bank applications, (they will publish us in an International Magazines), and other documents such as other embassy purposes, residence clearance and dual-citizenship…

July 24, 2006 – we have to leave early for my medical check up because of SONA, the major roads are closed, that’s why I slept over at Alma’s house, so that I can arrive at the (hospital affiliated by Qatar Airways) to lessen the time of my fasting, I don’t’ recall all the exact type of exams anymore (Quite expensive though) – it’s too many process and medical terms to remember, but it includes blood test for different purposes including, blood history, blood typing, std, HIV tests, etc… After the laboratory, Physical exams – The female doctor will require to undress to check the skin (head to toe), scalp, hair, nails, and to make sure that you haven’t done any major operations such as giving birth, next is Audio lab, Optometry, chest x-ray, psycho analysis, interview, etc… The whole procedures lasted more than 4 hours… The results will be out in 3 days, after Passing, should secure dental clearance, panoramic x-ray and Vaccines Certificates – including BCG, Polio, DPT, MMR, Tetanus, Typhoid, Meningococcal, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B… (It’s like a chemo-therapy process!!!)

*** “The value of waiting is a value of a lifetime, if we know how to wait, Life shall be easy because God knows what to give us in the right time”