When Boredom Strikes in The Aircraft… This is the Best Thing To Do!

Published September 6, 2014 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Number one in my list is to conduct a photo-shoot! then eat, chit-chat with other crew or passengers, then nap (just kidding) lolz! Have fun flying! =)

QR Pilot died during the flight from Manila!

Published October 14, 2010 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

My colleague on his early 40’s just passed away after a massive heart attack and later on died. The co-pilot flew the plane and diverted to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A new crew boarded the plane and left Malaysia 2 hours later.

I could have been in that flight. Luckily, I was in New York Flight instead… Indeed, Life is so short, better live life as it was your last day in this world…

More details @ The Peninsula News

Doha Home Makeover and Christmas Tree!

Published November 28, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

We only have 9 days OFF in Doha each month because most of the time we are out of country, all over the world or simply flying but it’s always good to know that at the end of the day, after a tiring flight you’ll go home to a clean and homey atmosphere so we’ve decided to makeover our flat. (Flat is the common term used for Flight Attendant accommodation here in Doha, just like buying a condo unit you have a choice whether Flat or Loft.)

We want to convert our boring spacious living room into a lively area and our common dining area to a special one but that will not happen overnight because we have to clean first, do some laundry, lots of vacuuming, then my favorite part “Shop” for home accessories, Christmas ornaments and a Christmas tree!

A beautiful, symmetrical tree is a perfectsymbol of the Christmas season. But simply by decorating it you’ll create a one-of-a-kind memory of the season…

* This is our ordinary and not so lively living room, we rearrange it and transfer one sofa to another location in the flat near our rooms.

* The Dining Table used to be there, now it’s our welcome/chill area since it’s directing towards the main door and that’s our little Christmas tree. It may not be as big like the ones back home in Manila but what’s more important is to feel the essence of Christmas… It’s the thought that counts! =)

* Pictures in our Flat (Taken last Feb 2007)

Happy Anniversary Q’ways!

Published September 5, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

“Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.”

I can’t believe how fast time flies, Q’ways Magazine is celebrating its first year Anniversary on this month’s issue!

Over the year, it’s fulfilling to be a part of Q’ways Team, I’m proud of the people who have helped us climbed the ladder of success by continuously sharing their skills and articles 13 From 8 Pages to 12! We owe the growth of the magazine to everyone. Thank You.

When Least Expected

The Truth About Flight Attendant Travel Benefits

Published August 23, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

First of all, free or reduced rate travel is always based on space available. Whether you are the crew or employee’s family traveling at a discount, you will only be issued a seat after all of the revenue passengers, including standby paying passengers. They are always the priority so if there’s no seat available they will ask you to just try your luck on the next flight which has always been a problem for me because all Qatar Airways employee must be back in Doha 10 hours before the next duty time but still I usually try my luck to go to Manila on my 3-4 days off. (What to do in Doha on 4days off!?! I’ll be crazy!)

What this means is that you must be very aware of the available seats on any given flight. This requires some legwork by using the company computerized reservation system to determine which flights are best for you. In my case, it’s always hard to get a seat because Manila Flight is always full or overbooked! Even if it’s not vacation period or holiday! There’s no off peak seasons in Manila flight because there are lots of Filipinos all over the world! And even if there’s a vacant seat, those seats are for senior ones! It’s better to have a full fare ticket as a back up, or else you’ll end up buying a business class full fare ticket!

* The Picture shows there’s no more passenger on cue but me, sitting near the subload check in counter, the other picture is while waiting for the delayed aircraft. There’s no more seat available on the waiting area so the rest are just standing. I’m sitting on my trolley! This inconvenience were just making me decide to resign sooner!

Last April, I flew to manila on my 4days off, August 17-19, I went to MNL again on my 3 days off and same dilemma happens! Fully booked! There’s one jump seat available but there’s one crew who’s more senior than me got the seat.

What makes it worst is that the departure should be 17:30 but the aircraft arrived at 19:40 from Doha! Super delayed! I waited in the check in counter for more than 2 hours sitting there like a beggar and 2 hours again in gate 10. I finished eating 4 BreadTalk’s Cheese Floss and Chef Tony’s popcorn because of boredom! There’s no sign of chance whatsoever but still I stayed there. Just a minute before I call someone to pick me up at the airport, I heard 3 people arguing, they sounded dismay about something. I never knew what is it all about until the ground staff told me that they have been offloaded from MNL Flight! Because they have visa problem. I feel sorry for them but at the same time thankful because their situation gives me a vacant seat! Yehey! Then I arrived in Doha around 12:40 am of August 20 – Just in time for my next duty at 10:50 am (Pick up time).

* After all the inconvenience, this view from the aircraft window simply draw a smile in my face for a minute! I’m glad to see my condo unit nonstop construction and The Venetian Mall as my View from the Top!

* Related Post: My Condo Unit

* April 4 Days OFF

Reminiscing Washington D.C

Published May 20, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

On our Flight going to Washington, I can’t believe there’s only 36 Passengers!!! Only 36 PAX for a 14hrs flight!? Great! and on the way back to Doha only 42 Pax in Economy! Still light load so galley isn’t that tiring after all. Since it’s 14hrs flight we are given 3hrs 15mins. to rest in the BCRC (Bulk Crew Rest Compartment) IIt’s my 1st time to use BCRC All I can say is It’s such a big help to sleep during a long haul flight!

The hotel is located in the middle of a town center, but we arrive passed 9pm so the shops are close already so we just ate late dinner at Bhusara Thai Restaurant Since we only have 25hrs layover I wasn’t able to walk around Reston Town Center =( Anyway, me our CS Bernie & Loubelle went out around 6am to wait for the bus on theway to the metro train station Smithsonian. I’ve been to Washington before (year 1994) but It was long time ago. I’m glad I’ll still be able to go to the U.S like the old times…There are still many places to see but here’s some of the;

Recommended places to visit:

WASHINGTON MONUMENT – The 555ft. Marble Obelisk since 1884 & it’s the world’s tallest freestanding mansonry structure built for George Washington. The

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL – honors the 16 million who served in the armed forces of the U.S., the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home, from WWII memorial we can see & clearly take pictures of the Lincoln Memorial but we prefer to walk up close with LINCOLN MEMORIAL – The 19ft Marble statue sits in the classic Greel-style temple. WHITE HOUSE – Home of every U.S President and U.S CAPITOL – Seat of Congress since 1800. THE SMITHSONIAN CASTLE – Completed in 1855, The Castle is the easiest landmark to find the National Mall.

We also visited some museums like MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY – The museum’s collections total over 125 million specimens of plants, animals, fossils, minerals, rocks, meteorites, and human cultural artifacts. NATIONAL GEM and MINERAL COLLECTION – The collection includes some of the most famous pieces of gems and minerals such as the famous Hope Diamond and the Star of Asia Sapphire. There are over 375,000 individual mineral samples, and a research collection used by scientists around the world.

NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM -the most popular of the Smithsonian museums. It maintains the largest collection of aircraft and spacecraft in the world. It is also a vital center for research into the history, science, and technology of aviation and spaceflight, as well as planetary science and terrestrial geology and geophysics.

Qatar Airways Takes Proactive Precautionary Measures over

Published April 27, 2009 by Mrs. Universe Philippines 2020 - Star Villanueva

Doha, QATAR – Qatar Airways has initiated a number of measures over heightened global health concerns amid the recent outbreak of influenza A (H1N1) swine flu virus in Mexico.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said: “The health and wellbeing of all our passengers and employees is of paramount importance and Qatar Airways in no way compromises the safety of any individual.

“Passengers should be reassured that modern aircraft have very advanced air filtration systems which ensure a high level of air quality despite the confined environment they are travelling in.”

Qatar Airways has been working closely with local health authorities in Qatar and monitoring developments with international health organisations and governments around the world in order to be able to take the most appropriate measures.

Since April 27^th, Qatar Airways has required that all operating flight deck and cabin crew wear masks on flights originating from the United States – namely daily services from New York, Washington DC and Houston.Passengers on Qatar Airways’ flights originating from the US to Doha are being issued with masks upon boarding and advised to wear them inflight. In addition, all Qatar Airways’ customer contact staff in the United States and at Doha International Airport are required to wear masks.If prior to boarding in the US or during transit in Doha, passengers are identified as having flu or fever-like symptoms, they will be referred to a local medical centre to determine their suitability to travel.The airline’s decision has been taken to control the potential transmission of the virus to fellow passengers and crew onboard.