Raj Nadarajan/TODAY

Some air crew from Singapore Airlines and Scoot say that restrictions imposed on them while on layovers abroad are undermining their love of the travel involved in their job

 

SINGAPORE — For one Singapore Airlines (SIA) crew member who has always loved the regular flying involved in her job, the thought of being cooped up within four walls for over a week away from home was too much to bear.

 

According to Today Online, the woman in her early thirties, who asked that her name not be published, recounted a recent incident in which she was overcome with panic as she prepared to embark on a flight to a destination where she would be required to remain largely confined to a hotel room.

 

Family problems only added to her anxiety.

 

“It was stressful preparing for the flight and having (these problems) to deal with, but I always leave my problems at the door before going for a flight. I tried to do that this time, too, but as I was walking to the gate at the terminal, I panicked,” she told Today Online.

 

So much so that she had to excuse herself and went to the bathroom in an attempt to calm herself down.

 

“I felt anxious because it dawned on me that I would be isolated in a room for many nights and that felt like an even worse situation than what was happening back home. I had to hold back tears because I have never dealt with this before," she said.

 

“It had come to a point where flying didn’t feel like what I had loved so much before.”

 

She is among seven air crew members — including pilots and cabin crew from SIA and Scoot — interviewed by Today Online who are feeling the toll of movement restrictions imposed on them while they are overseas, even as borders are reopening, and vaccinated travel lanes (VTL) have been established.

 

Movement is restricted

 

Singapore has VTLs with more than 20 destinations, including Australia, Germany, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States, though ticket sales have been temporarily suspended.

 

Based on current rules set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), all air crew can leave their hotel rooms and use the facilities at the accommodation only in Category 1 destinations, which are Hong Kong, Macau, mainland China and Taiwan.

 

However, that the authorities in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai, China, do not allow SIA crew to leave the hotel.

 

At all other destinations, they must always remain in their rooms and may gather in rooms with other crew members only in groups of five, which is the prevailing safe-management measure announced by the Ministry of Health (MOH).

 

CAAS, SIA and Scoot explained that the rules are designed to protect air crew from Covid-19.

 

The rules have been relaxed from the original restrictions and they are working to find ways to relax them further.

 

Still, several of the air crew said that they are considering leaving the jobs they had once so loved because of the toll that complying with Covid-19 rules has taken on their mental health.

 

They said that they chose the career because of their love for travel, which for them, is still constrained.

 

“I don’t believe the people who made up these measures truly understand what happens while we’re isolated inside our rooms overseas as they have not had to do so," said the SIA crew member.

 

"Our operating patterns can last for more than a week and the only interaction we have is either via video calls to family or when we are finally allowed to leave the room to board the flight to the next station."

 

Even though the rules for these air crew members have been relaxed over the last few months, they feel that the restrictions are still tight.

 

While there are no direct safety considerations arising from this mindset, an unmotivated crew member would be less sharp and attentive, which is hardly ideal, especially in a profession requiring employees to be always on top of their game, he said.

 

Another SIA pilot, in his early thirties, who also asked to remain anonymous, said that the movement restrictions have also affected him mentally and he often feels “very claustrophobic” being stuck in a hotel room for prolonged periods. 

 

“Initially, it was very difficult for me, but I talk to my friends and family, and they keep me going. I also try to do some indoor stretches, which help me to stay calm and focused," he said. 

 

SIA crew members are also required to wear a tracking device while they are outside Singapore to track their movements.

 

While they are allowed to visit each other’s rooms, the pilot in his late twenties said that many crew members are afraid to do so for fear of the tracking device being triggered unintentionally, resulting in disciplinary action. This leads them to worry they may lose their jobs.

 

‘Dreadful and Boring"

 

One 26-year-old SIA cabin crew member said that she has observed many of her colleagues reporting sick for flights these days.

 

"There’s this feeling that it’s not even worth going for a flight because there’s nothing to look forward to or reward ourselves with once we land overseas. Whether it is grocery shopping, visiting a museum, discovering new cafes… All that has been taken away,” she said.

 

“Personally, while I am trying to keep my records in this company clean, I’m always dreading my flights. (I) would rather be in Singapore with my family and people I love, because at least I’m free to go anywhere and everywhere,” she added.

 

She said that while most of the air crew are “undeniably thankful” that travel is slowly coming back, taking their freedom away leaves the air crew with “nothing to look forward to.”

 

“It makes work that much more dreadful and boring, and if this continues to prolong, I think we’ll definitely be seeing an upward trend of crew leaving the airline,” she said.

 

She felt that it was unfair that passengers on VTL flights could roam freely at the destinations while they could not.

 

One Scoot pilot in his forties, who often flies to Australia where he has layovers for about two nights, said that while these restrictions do not affect him as much, “this cannot go on forever.”

 

“We are all professional adults and imposing such restrictions, like putting us on tracking devices and locking us up, only goes to show the amount of mistrust the authorities have in us, rather than protecting us,” said the pilot, who also asked not to be named.

 

‘Like an escape’

 

But one SIA cabin crew member feels that these restrictions are still necessary, adding that the safety of her family definitely “outweighs the freedom of roaming around overseas.”

 

“Every time I think about how bad it is for us to be confined within the four walls, I remind myself how I’m able to come home to my parents worry-free,” said the 29-year-old, who said that both her parents are suffering from chronic illnesses.

 

“Maybe if my circumstances are different, I would have a different view on this but, right now, my parents’ health is my priority, and I am grateful my interactions with people are limited.”

 

The woman, who also asked not to be named, added that being the caregiver of her parents has taken a toll on her mental health and her “me-time” overseas is “like an escape.”

 

“I’d rather isolate myself overseas so I can be free with my loved ones in Singapore than have the freedom overseas and have to isolate myself while I’m home,” she said. 

 

Airline spokesperson agrees it is challenging

 

A Scoot spokesperson said on Dec 24 that the airline “acknowledges and appreciates the commendable dedication and contributions of all our flight and cabin crew, who have taken it in their stride to adhere to multiple varying travel measures implemented across different destinations, which can undoubtedly be challenging”.

 

The spokesperson similarly added that the health and safety of its people, and those they serve, remain a priority.

 

“Scoot remains committed to working closely with the authorities to ensure that the latest and prevailing safety measures are adhered to in tandem with evolving regulations, so that we can support the well-being of our crew, without compromising on mandatory health and safety measures." 

 

Crew members are encouraged to voice their concerns to the leaders of their units "as we navigate the new normal", the Scoot spokesperson added.

 

 

Boo-Hoo dears.. We're all in the same boat for now, didn't hear you saying good things in the past when you had the world at your feet, so why complain now?...

19 minutes ago, ezzra said:

Boo-Hoo dears.. We're all in the same boat for now, didn't hear you saying good things in the past when you had the world at your feet, so why complain now?...

Yup.  I agree with your sentiments.  Been flying with SIA for years and their image is not the reality in most cases.  Also, if any SIA or Scoot employee is so concerned then just refuse to fly.  Plenty of others who will take their place.  Quarantine in a hotel.  Yes it sucks(did it twice this year and probably do it again next year).  I'm certain the hotels SIA employees  are forced into are better than the ASQ hotels I have been locked in.  Also, I never heard of an international flight attendant with 7, 10 or 14 day layovers?  

She's lucky to still have a job.