Career Placement at Air Transat

What a journey!

When I first started, I was filled with expectations and emotions. I learned so many things that I cannot even count them and there are many more thing that I could not learn for lack of time. Although I had few moments that I felt I could not take it anymore, majority of this journey was self, professional, and social growth; filled with unforgettable moments.

I could meet people from diverse backgrounds and even make new friends. I proved myself that even in though moments I have the strength and willingness not overcome and learn from them.

I feel satisfied with what I achieved throughout the time I was working with Air Transat. I will definitely recommend having this experience to people who want to pursuit a career with any airline. Furthermore, I recommend Air Transat for those who are looking for a fast-paced, international, and multicultural experience.

On my second week doing afternoon shifts, I have noticed it is busier than mornings'.

As there are more than 10 flights in the afternoon to different destinations, mostly Europe ; I have had the opportunity to meet many people from many different backgrounds. I could practice several times my French by helping passengers that do not speak English.

Because I am an international student and I have been in Canada for less than five years, the process to get the RAIC was a bit more complicated to me; specially because in the application I was asked to submit some document from my country as proof of what I was doing there before coming to Canada. Starting with the complication of having to translate all the documents which costed me a lot, and then not being able to get some of the documents they were requesting since those documents do not exist in my country. I decided to leave that process on a side and focus on my classes and my job. On my study week I decided to check back the process to get it, when I looked at it I realized those documents that I could not get from my country were not required anymore. I did not waste time and tried to get it again, and finally I was able to complete the process.

I had my appointment in the pass office where I finally get my profile completed and sent for clearance to Transport Canada.

I obtained my yellow pass until my clearance is completed.

This week I finally achieved one of my goals.

A passenger that was flying with Air France approached to me, he wanted to get directions about his flight but he only spoke French. I was able to communicate with him and instructed him with his flight in French. It was a big achievement to me because since I started learning French 6 months ago, this was my first interaction with a French speaking person in French.

This week I had the opportunity to go to the boarding gates.

Although I do not have my RAIC yet, Dnata staff were able to get me a daily pass to go through security. They showed me the aircraft and how the process is to board passengers. I helped with a full flight to Cancun where many of the passengers' carry-ons had to be checked-in because the flight attendant in charge said there were not enough space in the cabin for all the bags. It was a new and exciting experience to me.

I did an interview to work with Dnata, and although I did not get accepted; I feel like it was helpful to improve my interview skills.

I met new colleagues and one of the principals managers of Dnata.

I finally could see an Air Transat Airplane next to where I work.

I had a challenging passenger that did not want to get their bag's tag from the kiosk even when I told them they need it, thankfully some colleagues came to me to help me. Thanks to this situation, I understood that there are some passengers that will not cooperate and the importance of developing my conversation techniques to handle in a better manner these situations.

I learned that there is a stuff in the airport dedicated to help those ones with disabilities and that airlines are responsible to call them when a passenger ask for a wheel-chair assistance.

On my first day I was really nervous. After a long commitment I arrived to my first shift.

At the beginning all the information was overwhelming, but as the day passing by, I was feeling more comfortable with what I was doing.

I met few classmates from Seneca that were doing their placement with Air Transat as well, and few personnel from Air Transat.

Two situations stood out. First one was that I encounter with a French speaking couple who did not speak English; although I couldn't communicate with them in French, I was able to understand few thing they were saying and to guide them in a certain manner. Second one, when a passenger tipped me for helping him to check-in his luggage.

I realized how diverse are people who fly with Air Transat and how necessary French can be when working on the airport.

On my orientation day I was so exited for finally experience a career I have been pursuing for the las 2 years. I was not sure if the orientation would be starting at 0900 or 1000, so, I ended up arriving an hour earlier.

After several minutes walking around the terminal 3, I started to people and how their reactions are when flying. Among airport personnel, a general calm feeling was perceived, whereas passengers' feelings vary; there were some excited for that long awaited trip, others nervous rushing all over the place, and the ones calm as if it was another normal day. Once the orientation finally started. I was getting excited while we were going through the aisles as I could feel and see from a different perspective the airport. Once it ended, I wanted to stay longer to learn and see more.