Sky is the limit for cabin crew, Ajung Jamir

Ajung Jamir

Based in Doha as a cabin crew with the Qatar Airways, Ajung Jamir has extensively travelled the world, but has firmly remained grounded to her roots. For her, it is extremely important to know one’s roots and identity and she has clearly drawn valuable lessons from travelling across the globe even as she shares that, “Travelling has taught me about humility and respect- it taught me how to respect equally a cleaner on board as I would the CEO of my company.” 
Working in a company of almost 7000 crew from all over the world, she goes on to say, “when the first question a stranger asks is "where are you from?", it is very important to know one's roots and identity, to remain grounded, or else we will be just one of the faces that serve them chicken with rice.”

One would think the life of a flight attendant is one filled with glamour and style, and while that may be true to a certain extent, the profession is certainly not without challenges. “When I get ready for duty, I am clueless of what to expect out of that day or flight. The unpredictability of this job is what I find challenging and Fun at the same time. This is a profession that will keep everyone's toe on check. And one who is spontaneous ought to love every bit of it”, she says.

Describing her two years’ journey with Qatar Airways as quite remarkable, she goes on to share that, “I've had the privilege of meeting some amazing people from around the globe, learn about life, friendship and growth, which I doubt I would have had, had I been home and just amongst people I am comfortable with.” To this end, she also remembers one of her professors back from college, who told them that, ‘being around people help us discover ourselves better and I couldn’t agree more with him because I now realize how I have evolved as a person and this profession has also helped me hone my PR skills.’

Yet, when she was a kid, nobody would have imagined her to be in her shoes today. Because, as she says, “as a child, I was naughty, mischievous and adventurous. I don’t have any memories of owning a Barbie or a dress, I was out and about exploring the famous Milak river near our ward/colony in Mokokchung with my brothers, playing marbles ,climbing trees, stealing plum (fruit), breaking school glasses, giving a scare to the little boys who tease my sister or just being one of the famous G.I JOES and fighting sword fights with my neighbour boys.”

She also admits that her current profession is more of an accident than intentional. “I've never planned on becoming a cabin crew, until I bumped into an advertisement online one night, submitted my resume and then one thing led to the other and here I am today in Doha working as a cabin crew”, she says.

Before she got into it, she further recalls that this profession to her was all about a pretty face, looking good, smiling to the passengers and doing a bit of demo before take-off. But that opinion has clearly changed a lot since she joined, even as she goes on to add, “who knew about being professionally trained on first aid, or securing a certificate and a license before one is given the green card to fly? This job needs a lot of brain and will power. Brain to study and remember, the will power to take in everything that is thrown at you.”

Apparently, there are no normal days for a cabin crew. “Each flight is unpredictable in its own way, thanks to the passengers. It won’t matter to the passengers if you just had the biggest heart break of the century or you just had your period because whatever it may be, you "have to" attend to your passengers. Period. You will have babies crying non-stop, hyper active holiday makers wanting a refill of beers and wines, first timers trying all the buttons on the handset, and then we have the difficult passengers who refuses to sit down and buckle up plus the turbulence. What am saying is, there is no typical or normal day for a cabin crew. In fact there is one thing I can promise you - no two days are ever the same. There is no 1 to 10 here, and you’re never quite sure how your day will turn out! In short this is a profession that will always challenge you and keep you on your toes. The unpredictability is the soul of this job, I feel”, she throws glimpses into the life of a cabin crew.

Ajung Jamir would describe herself as a people person even as she elaborates by saying, “I love people,- working with them, talking with them, helping them- I just love being around people. This being said, of course, there are times when I require my "quiet space" (I’ll be insane without it), and this is the time I read, write and think.”

When she is not flying, she tries to achieve the basics first, such as catch on her sleep, do her laundry, cook and sit for her famous rice, dal and aloo fry dinner or lunch. Once these goals are accomplished, she is out and about Doha, be it on a movie spree, shopping, reading a book in her room or just catching up with her friends.

She would also absolutely encourage more Naga youths to join a profession like hers even while putting across that this job pays to travel and not only that, she further adds, “you get to spend on yourself, help out here and there if required and then get to save in your personal bank account too. This profession not only open avenues of meeting people from diverse backgrounds but also help in achieving one's own personal dreams. I had the privilege of flying with a lawyer from Cairo, a microbiologist from Tehran and also a Doctor from South Africa (to name a few). They are working as cabin crew to travel and to save -save enough money to go back to their own home country and start up their very own private law firm, finance for higher studies/specialization or open up a clinic. What I am saying here is, certain jobs always helps give that little push to the next venture you might have in life.”

While on the other hand, she strongly feels about sexual discrimination/abuse. “I don't understand why a mother and her daughter have to give up on their home just because the father passed away and have no son to carry on his name. I don't understand why a girl is being eve-teased and made uncomfortable just because she is passing by a road where some boys are playing cricket. I don't understand why a husband beats his wife black and blue just because he is having an affair and needs an outlet for his guilt. I don't understand why a mother has to go through the lifelong guilt of killing her own baby just because her husband wants a baby boy over a girl. What I also don't understand is why a woman is raped and murdered just because a man feels like it. I really wish there were some strict penalty for such evil acts meted out against women and not just jailed, discussed in hushed tones or the constant unsuccessful rallies we've had”, she delves in showing great concern.

And as far as the youth of Nagaland are concerned, if she could, she would try and do away with the present trend and dependence on Government Jobs even while expressing that. “we should all try and take the risk of making the best use of the resources around us instead of relying solely on Goverement jobs.” She believes that our youths are blessed with immense talents when it comes to music, art and entrepreneurship, which, she goes on to say is very encouraging and so, it is also her wish that ‘our people continue to encourage each other and create more avenues for such ventures to grow.’

She may be engrossed in her career as a cabin crew for now, but somewhere down the line, she can definitely imagine herself going back to her roots, and  in her words, “doing what I have always wanted to do. Teach.”