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The making of the Singapore Girl

Journey to become a Singapore Girl is no walk in the park, as cabin crew trainees go through rigorous training

Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft
Wearing their kebayas for a more realistic scenario, trainees undergo water survival training in a pool at the SIA Training Centre. They learn to put on life vests, and are taught to hike up their kebayas to facilitate their movement in an emergency situation. From the water evacuation trainer, they are required to jump from a height of 2m into the water. This training is part of the regulatory requirements for cabin crew. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft
External trainer Shirley Han instructs trainee Ashley Kim, 26, during a deportment and etiquette class in a mock cabin. Trainees learn to balance 18 cups of water, weighing about 3kg to 5kg, with a smile and good posture. They have to take note of their posture, gestures and facial expressions and also understand and respect cultural variances in dining etiquette. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft
The final part of water survival training involves climbing from the water into an inflatable raft without help. Trainees also learn to huddle tightly in a group of five or six – to keep warm in cold water – as well as to curl up into a ball, for the same reason. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft
Safety and emergency procedures instructors Daniel Chua (left) and Xavier Lim (right) supervise trainees, who are wearing smoke hoods while undergoing a smoke drill. The trainees, who are working in pairs to ensure the crew’s safety, are “rescuing” an adult-size dummy and a baby-size dummy from a mock cabin filled with synthetic smoke. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft
Trainees attend a two-day course where they learn about the different foods and beverages served on SIA and food preparation and handling. There are over 30 different types of special meals, to cater to religious, dietary or allergy requirements, among others. The course equips trainees with the knowledge to attend to food-related queries. ST PHOTOS: NEO XIAOBIN
Neo Xiaobin
Updated
Feb 20, 2017, 08:07 AM
Published
Feb 20, 2017, 05:00 AM

Singapore Airlines (SIA) turns 70 this year but the Singapore Girl is ever ageless, her smiling face inseparable from the national carrier, which is now an acclaimed airline with 109 aircraft.

Having made impeccable service one of its selling points, SIA scours locally and overseas for talent for its crew. The search includes countries such as Malaysia, India, Thailand, Japan, South Korea and China.

Importance is placed on recruiting men and women who are customer-orientated, resourceful and team players.

In Singapore, interviews are held every month and each recruitment exercise draws an average of 900 applicants.

SIA's male to female ratio for cabin crew is 40 to 60.

To uphold a positive and professional image of SIA, cabin crew trainees learn how to climb the stairs and walk gracefully in their kebayas during a deportment and etiquette class. Besides social and business etiquette, basic postures while standing, sitting, reaching and walking are also covered. The distinctive kebaya uniform, designed by French couturier Pierre Balmain, was introduced in 1968. Tailor-made for every female cabin-crew member, trainees do the fitting during the first month of their training. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Once candidates are chosen, they are put through a rigorous 15-week training programme comprising classroom and on-the-job training.

  • 900
    Average number of applicants the monthly recruitment exercises attract.

This includes foundation training for the personal and soft skills they will need as the face of the airline; fleet training for their job-specific duties; and safety training, which focuses on security, crisis response and first aid.

After jumping into the pool, trainees have to swim one length of the pool unaided. They then pair up and pull their partners across to the other end as part of rescue training. The depth at the centre of the training pool is 4m and waves are generated by a machine to simulate open waters. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

Before trainees attend to their first passengers, they have three observation flights in which they are assigned to a mentor whom they shadow and observe.

Cabin crew trainees observe a fellow trainee learning to use the fire extinguisher under the guidance of an instructor. They also learn how to manage oven and toilet fires, and practise donning the smoke hood - available at all doors on the aircraft - in 12 seconds. They must keep it on for at least three minutes as it protects against fumes and smoke. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

The Straits Times executive photojournalist Neo Xiaobin takes an exclusive look behind the scenes at what it takes to become a Singapore icon.

Trainees Lim Hui Ern (left), 24, and Tan Pei Ling, 23, applying make-up during a grooming class where they are taught skincare, make-up, haircare and styling techniques. Two make-up palettes are chosen to complement the kebaya colour. Hairstyles for the female trainees depend on what best complements their features. ST PHOTO: NEO XIAOBIN

WATCH THE VIDEO
Sights and sounds from the Singapore Airlines cabin crew training. http://str.sg/4eWW

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 20, 2017, with the headline The making of the Singapore Girl. Subscribe

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