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[careerplacement]

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.

This marks the end of my placement... Thanks to Air Transat team for giving me this marvelous opportunity.

[careerplacement]

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.

I could also "shadow" a boarding process for a flight going to Montreal. It was a unique experience because there were few passengers that the system was saying did not board. We had to go in the airplane to check the seats they were assigned, and if there was somebody sited there; ask for their documentation. Some, had to be called out via PA. There was a family with two kinds who were spread out, since kids can not travel without a parent alongside; one of GTAdnata agent's had to moved some crew that were deadheading to allow one of the parents to sit with their children. It was a hectic flight, but I learned a lot about how many unexpected situations can be managed, how to check a person's documents when boarding, and I also got to know few crewmembers from Air Transat.

[careerplacement]

This week I started doing my shift in the afternoon, which means doing flights to Europe. Afternoon shifts are busier than mornings' and I did not have much free time, hence the time passed by quicker. I learned that in order of a person coming back to Canada, they need to have a secondary document apart from their passport which needs to get scanned as well. I had the opportunity to interact with passengers from very different backgrounds compared to those ones flying to the Caribbean. I could not go to the gates to the boarding process, but I am expecting to be able to do it in coming shifts. I hope I can learn new things now that I can go through security. I hope to learn how to check-in a passenger as well before finishing my placement.

[careerplacement]

This week, after almost two months of trying to get my RAIC; I was finally able to get it.

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.

I am excited to have more opportunities to go to the gates and learn more about the preboarding process.

[careerplacement]

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.

I feel proud of myself and look forward to get more interactions like that one to improve my French.

[careerplacement]

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.

It was a week of new challenges and nourishment for my career.

[careerplacement]

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.

I have not obtained my RAIC yet, since it has been hard to gather all documentation I was asked for, but I am excited to get it and be able to go through security.

[careerplacement]

On my second week, I met a new supervisor and more colleagues; everybody that I meet is really nice and helpful. I did not work with any classmates but I met alumni who graduated from Seneca and are now working for GTA Dnata. It is nice to see ex-Seneca students working in airlines, it encourages me to continue striving for my goals.

[careerplacement]

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.

Exited to keep on learning from this placement and to meet new people.

[careerplacement]

Orientation Day

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.

I am exited to get to my first shift and get my RAIC to learn and see more of how everything works and its different protocols.