A Half Day Tour To The Great Wall of China
A visit to China will not be complete without the tour to the Great Wall. For thousands of years, the wall had been the symbol of China, its great historic and powerful past, and later, its isolation under the era of bamboo curtain, and now, it symbolizes China’s rise to become a dominant worlds power, both militarily and economically.
The best way to visit the wall is from Beijing. This is one of the reasons why Beijing is the preferred tourist destination. Based on my personal experience a few years ago, it only took us about 2 hours drive from the hotel. A half day tour is sufficient. You may opt to go by the hotels group tour or you can charter your own transport. If you were to go by your own transport, you will have the flexibility of time; otherwise you will need to comply with the bus tour schedule.
The sight of the wall is staggering. The wall is about 25 feet height and about 20ft across and it is not an engineering precision, so some parts are higher or wider than the others. The portion that I visited is built on top of the ridge, and it is rather hard to imagine how they managed to build such a long and strong wall, considering the technology the had.
When you consider the total length of over 6000 km, I could easily imagine the suffering of the workers, the peasants and slaves that had to endure the cruelty and punishment. Today, I am not so sure of which element of the history to be remembered, was it the marvels of the engineering works or the suffering and death of the thousands who had helped to build the walls.
Reaching to the top was by chair lifts, like the ones used by the skiers at the resorts. It was a bit scary when you have to travel for a twenty minutes ride with a three year old daughter in an open ride. I believe the safety had been improved now, as more and more western tourists are visiting China. You have to pay for the ride and the entry fee to the wall.
Walking on top of it is just like walking on an empty road. Of course the ground was uneven. Every 100 meters or more, you will find some sort of living quarters for the guards.
There were some peddlers selling souvenirs and a couple of photographers with old cameras offering service. An array of clothing can be rented for the photography session, you can dress up as the emperor of China or as the invading warriors. There were other selections available. If you choose to buy any items or the photography services, haggling is the norm in China. It is good idea to ask the hotel personnel before your trip on the reasonable amount you should be paying.
The Great Wall of China stretches to a length of over 6,000 kilometers winding through mountains, cliffs, plateaus and deserts from across the east coast to the northwest of China. Some parts of it had started to break down and some portions are maintained by authorities mainly as a tourist attraction.
The author had spent more than 30 years working in an International Airline. His main focus was in the field of Training and Development. Responsible for the Training Needs Analysis and providing the Training Solution.
Maintain a blog Exotic Asia at http://myexoticasia.com/
Sharing Experience On How To Secure The Job As A Cabin Crew
Each time there is opening for the job of cabin crew, thousands of qualified people will be lining up for the interviews. It is highly competitive and only a small percentage will succeed and many will fail in the interview. This is a frustrating exercise for both the airline and the applicants, and millions of dollars was wasted.
A cabin crew wanted to share her interview experiences on how she manages to secure the job on her first try. Her success was mainly due to her early preparation and maintaining a positive mindset all the way. After submitting the application and even though you are not sure whether you will be called for the interview, the preparation has to start. Waiting for the last
minutes will invite failures, as the gap of time between receiving the notification and the actual date of interview can be very short.
These are the tips she likes to share with all readers:
1. Get your Resume Written: Getting a well written resume is the most important start as it is reference document that will be used to decide whether you will be called to attended the interview or not. A good resume will highlight your strong point and covers the important areas. If you feel that you need helps, then an investment in professional writer can make the different between getting a job or not.
2. Early preparation to enable you to research deeper into the relevant topics. It will also develop the confident to face the interview panel. Start your preparation by reading on the company background, the vision and mission and the achievements of the company. Maintain a positive mindset all the way.
3. Build relationship with relevant staff in the intended company. This will have at lease two advantages, it will enable you to know the company better and can open up the channel to know more about the interview questions.
4. Keep yourself updated on the current issues, both at the national level and the international level. Cabin crews are expected to maintain a certain level of knowledge on current issues to unable meaningful conversations with the passengers.
5. Ensure that your are computer literate. This is because cabin crews are part of the airline’s absent workforce and the main channel of communication is done through internet.
6. Be early for the interview. You do not want to rush yourself and be prepared for the unexpected, like traffic jams, road closure and others. If you are not very familiar with the location, it will be a good idea to survey the place before the interview day.
7. Proper dress and good grooming cannot be over emphasized here. Dress yourself to suit the occasion. Avoid wearing clothing that easily wrinkled. For a gentlemen, make sure your shoes are properly polished, and for girls, please do not wear excessive accessories.
8. Travel light. Do not bring too many things with you. Suffice to have one handbag and a file for your resume and certificates. You do not wish the mess around with your bags in front of the panel.
9. Avoid wearing sexy dress. Although most men will like it, but it does not suit the occasion. The perfume need not be too strong. Take care of your hair and keep it neat and tidy.
10. Manage your emotion and do not allow your negative emotion to interfere your performance. Keep your personnel problem to yourself and attend the interview with positive outlook.
11. Do not be overdone to show you skill and capability but at the same time do not be too modest about yourself.
12. At the closing and before you leave the seat, do not forget to give them your attractive smile and say “thank you”.
It is suggested that you practice the interview with friends who are familiar recruitment exercise. You may have to brush up
you presentation and public announcement skills. These skills may need to be demonstrated.
We wish you good luck.
The author had spent more than 30 years working for an International Airline. His main focus was in the field of Training and Development. He was responsible for the Training Needs Analysis and provided the Training Solution.Currently he maintains A blog on How To Become Cabin Crew at http:new-airhostess.blogspot.com/
How To Become A Licensed Aircraft Engineer
An Aircraft Maintenance Engineer is approved to carry out the maintenance and repair works on civilian aircrafts and certify that the aircrafts are safe and fit to fly. As the aircrafts’ systems are complex, the engineer had to properly trained and assessed before he is awarded with the license. This licensing system was introduced by ICAO in middle of 1900 to control the quality of maintenance works on civil aircrafts. It identifies the process to train and assess the candidates before he can be given the license.
There are at least three paths to attain the qualification of licensed engineer. Lets us review the paths one by one.
1. Attending an approved training school.
The civil aviation authority in the country can approve a training school as an approved school. This means that the school is allowed to conduct training on aircraft maintenance program and the students are able to sit for the license without type rating examination (BCAR System) after three years.
There are stringent requirements before a school is approved. The requirements involve the qualification and experience of the lecturers and instructors, the access to aircraft for on-job-training and the teaching resources. To maintain the quality, periodic audit and ad hoc audits may be carried out by the civil aviation authority.
2. Join an apprentice program.
This is the traditional mode of training for aircraft maintenance. The original model of apprenticeship program goes back hundreds of year into the European history. The program is undergoing changes as the aircraft maintenance today is more of the knowledge based rather than the traditional skill base. So the original term of aircraft fitter for the workers may not be suitable any more.
The apprenticeship program has many advantages, both to the apprentices as well as the airline. The advantages are as follows:
- The apprentices are guaranteed of employment with the company.
- The apprentices are earning as they work. The salaries is being increased annually until they qualify with the licenses.
- The apprenticeship program is time tested and easy to implement. The models are readily available.
- Both the company and the apprentices benefit from the program, the company obtains a cheaper labor force and the apprentice can learn and earn at the same time,
3.Self study.
The third path is by self study. Although this is not the most popular method of getting qualification, but it does attract the group of peoples who prefer to work and study at the same time. A person can join an airline and work in the aircraft maintenance department as a skilled or semi-skilled workers and he can collect his work schedules and study for the exam at the same time.
Upon completion of the stipulated working period of about 4 years, and having collected a sufficient amount of work performed on the aircraft, he can be allowed to sit for the examination. This information is based on the British BCAR system. With the new EASA, of the US FAA system, the requirements may be different.
Requirement to have the working experience.
The job of aircraft engineer requires a combination of the theory and the practices. As such the training will cover both the theoretical as well as the practices aspects of aircraft maintenance. Before any person are eligible to sit for the examination, he or she has to have sufficient work experience.
The career of licensed aircraft engineer is a fulfilling job for those who prefer to work on machines. It is demanding and sometime can be stressful. However, it can open up opportunities for oversea assignments in some countries in the middle east and China.
The author had spent more than 30 years working in an International Airline. His main focus was in the field of Training and Development. Responsible for the Training Needs Analysis and providing the Training Solution.Currently he maintains a career blog on Airlines Jobs at http://pramugari.info/
The Kecak Dance Of Exotic Bali
One of the fascinating holidays that I ever had was in the Island of Bali, in Indonesia. If I were asked for a reason that made it outstanding, I would be searching for the answer. It think it is the natural blends of the scenic beauties of the island, the rich cultural heritage and the friendly people that had make the different.
On the night of our arrival, we decided to visit the famous of the Bali dance, the Kecak Fire Dance. The dance was at sunset and on the beach.
On the way, we stopped at an old Hindu temple, a temple full of monkeys. The guide told us that the temple was built in memory of Hanuman, the monkey king, that fought with Rama against the evils enemy. Tourists were reminded to take a good care of their belongings especially the sunglass and handbags. The moneys were fond of grabbing the sunglass and actually wore them and run off to the roof top. There is no way you were going to get it back from him.
When we arrived at the dance venue, the sun was setting. We paid off the entrance fees in Rupees and sat on the terrace around the dance floor. The surrounding was dark and the whole area was only lit by the burning bonfire. We were reminded to respect the local customs, as the dance was part of the religious believe of the Balinese. The deities and customs are still believed and practiced by the local Hindus.
There was no life music. The stunning voice of the dancers was the musical background for the dancers to dance in trance. Over 50 bare-chested male dancers are swaying their body and hands uttering cak-cak-cak, imitating the sound of monkeys of Hanuman, the friendly monkey king and his troops that helped Rama. The chanting sound of Cak-cak-cak gave the dance its name, the Kecak dance.
The dance retold there story of the epic. Rama had to leave Sita alone and out of his fear for her safety, he had casted his spell to guard Sita. However the evil Rahwana tricked Sita with his golden deer and abducted her to his Island of Langka. Then the war began, and with the help of the monkey king, Hanuman, Rama defeated his enemy and rescued his wife.
The story was full with excitements of magic and wizards, translated into the movements of the dance. Only those who know were able to read and understand them.
The Kecak dance is a must for visitors to Bali. It part of the unique Bali culture which is rare to find in todays world.
The author had spent more than 30 years working in an International Airline. His main focus was in the field of Training and Development. Responsible for the Training Needs Analysis and providing the Training Solution.
Maintain a blog Exotic Asia at http://myexoticasia.com/
The Job As Flight Attendant
Millions of young high school graduates worldwide are eyeing for the job as flight attendant. Most likely, they are attracted to the chance to travel to foreign countries and getting paid at the same time. Many of whom have never flown before and may be wondering what the job of a flight attendant or cabin crew is all about. For the benefits of this group, I am putting the salient points highlighting the main activities involved.
The job may be known by different names, depending on which region do you come from. In USA, the job is likely to be called a flight attendant. In Europe, the term cabin crew is more often used whereas in Asia, the same person is known as an air hostess or stewardess.
Nature of the Job.
The job can be classified under the heading of customer services. However there is a significant different as the main responsibility of a cabin crew is to handle the safety of the passengers in the event of emergency. In a normal flying conditions, they provide the services and attend to the needs of the passengers.
The following are the normal activities of a cabin crew as viewed by a passenger.
1. As a passenger steps into the aircraft, a cabin crew welcomes him or her and show him the seats.
2. As the pilot start the engine, the crews assist in the safety equipments briefings.
3. After takeoff, they will serve the drinks, then probably the dinner or lunch.
4. They distribute the audio aid and collect it before landing.
5. Assist the passenger with immigration and customs’ papers.
6. Make the in flight sales.
What is not visible are the activities before the passengers board the aircraft and after the passengers left the aircraft. These are the activities:
1. The crews need to arrive to the office 1.5 hours before flight, then they attended the flight briefing by the supervisor or purser where flight briefings were given.
2. The crew received the passengers list, for the Club Class and First Class, the crews need to remember the names. Their special needs such as vegetarian food, special drinks etc to be reviewed and notes taken.
3. Get to the aircraft about 40 minutes before departure, check the equipments and provisions. Sign the receive notes from the Food suppliers. Check the cabin conditions and get ready to receive the passengers.
4. For some airlines, the crew clean the aircraft.
5. Report all incidents and accidents in the cabin log. Cabin log should contain the non-airworthy items. However some items affect the safety of the aircraft and have to be reported to the captain. Things such as fire extinguishers, oxygen and fluid leakage affect the safety of the aircraft.
6. The inflight sales have to be managed and reported on the first return to the base.
The Responsibility of the Job.
The responsibility of the job relates to the intended job’s outcome. In this case, there two basic intended outcome:
1. The crew is responsible to ensure that the passengers are safe, both under the normal circumstances as well as under emergency situation.
2. To get a satisfied customer who will not complaint about the airline and hopefully will fly the airline again.
Flight attendants play an important role in the success of an airline. This is especially true for airlines that intend to compete in the premier league based on service quality. In most cases, the crew services are more likely can be considered as a “service dissatisfier factor” as unhappy passengers will generate a negative publicity. It is rather rare for passengers to give a positive feedback while it is more often to receive negatives ones.
The author had spent more than 35 years working with an International Airlines. The last 10 years in the fields of Training and Development. Responsible for Training Needs Analysis and subsequent training solutions, including e-learning implementation. Currently maintain a learning blog: Airlines Jobs at: http://pramugari.info/