This Women’s Day, Curly Tales decided to make the day more special by speaking to women pilots and cabin crew from IndiGo and Akasa Air. From sharing their decision to choose this career to opening up about heartwarming and challenging moments, these women bared their hearts while talking about their lives in aviation.
Women’s Day: Women Pilots Share Why They Chose Aviation As A Career
Being a pilot or a cabin crew member is not just about travelling to other cities and countries. And no, it is also not just about taking care of passengers onboard. Their duties come with a lot of responsibility. And with that, a major set of challenges too. Women’s Day is not just about self-care and pampering ourselves. It is also about acknowledging the strong women around us and their dedication to making our lives easier.
This year, Curly Tales decided to take a peek into the lives of pilots and cabin crew members who rule the skies. But our conversation was not just about why they chose this career. We also wanted to know what really makes this career special for them.
Becoming a pilot or a cabin crew member is not easy. But sometimes, when you have grown up among pilots, it naturally becomes your calling. Captain Kiran Sawhney, pilot with IndiGo, would agree with this. She grew up around pilots, which is why aviation was always a natural part of her life. She mentions, “As a child, I had the opportunity to visit a flight simulator with my uncle and the moment I stepped into the cockpit, I was captivated – it felt like a calling.”
But things were different for Rhea Ralhan, First Officer with Akasa Air. She came from a non-aviation background and eventually found herself becoming a pilot. She remembers her school days and says, “I still remember writing ‘pilot’ in a school slam book in second grade when we were asked what we wanted to become.” Becoming a pilot requires a lot of hard work. But some moments make these women proud of their careers.
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What Makes Their Day?
Kiran Sawhney once received a handwritten note from a passenger appreciating the flight and how delighted she was to see an all-women flight crew. This meant a lot to her. On the other hand, Rhea Ralhan recalls how an elderly passenger once approached her after landing the flight in unfavourable weather. He looked at her uniform and simply said, “Thank you for bringing us home safely.” Moments like these highlight how pilots from IndiGo and Akasa Air are appreciated. Small but meaningful gestures like these can definitely make anyone’s day.
Cabin Crew Members Talk About Challenges Mid-Air
She says, “The tears in his eyes and the relief on his face made me realise how deeply our actions can impact someone’s life. It was a moment that tested my leadership, empathy, training and courage, and reminded me why this profession is so meaningful to me.”
Kratika Kunwar, an in-flight manager with Akasa Air, also recalls a similar incident when a passenger suffered a severe nosebleed mid-air. The focus quickly shifted to keeping him comfortable until medical help could be arranged after landing.
These instances reveal that being a cabin crew member is not just about assisting passengers with food and beverages. It is also about keeping them comfortable during stressful situations. And this shows the strength of these women, this Women’s Day.
Cabin crew members face their own challenges with passengers, while women pilots deal with difficult weather conditions. There are times when pilots face unpredictable weather and must rely on their training to stay focused. They are not just flying the aircraft. They also carry the responsibility of passengers on their shoulders.
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What These Women Want Passengers To Understand
These women ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely and comfortably. But what about them? Who takes care of these women while they carry out their responsibilities onboard? We at Curly Tales asked them one simple question. What is one thing they wish passengers understood about their jobs?
Rhea Ralhan, First Officer with Akasa Air, says she wants passengers to pay attention to every instruction and announcement onboard. And according to her, “basic kindness can go a long way.”
Kratika Kunwar, in-flight manager with Akasa Air, says she wishes passengers understood that delays are often beyond their control. Waiting can feel frustrating, but “a little patience and understanding towards the crew truly makes a difference.”
Captain Kiran Sawhney, pilot with IndiGo, shares a similar thought. According to her, there are situations they wish they could control or change, but sometimes they simply cannot.
Shikha Sarin, cabin crew with IndiGo, also adds, “The patience and kindness of our passengers go a long way in uplifting the cabin crew, particularly when we are navigating any operational challenges behind the scenes.”
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So this Women’s Day, let us promise ourselves that the next time we take a flight, we remember this. These women onboard, along with their teams, are doing their best to keep us safe and comfortable. Our duty is simply to stay patient and be kind towards them.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied