City girl all set to fly high

After a brief stint as a ground staff, she is all set to become a cabin crew member soon.

M. Moulika Naidu, who got a job as a cabin crew member in AirAsia, interacting with The Hindu.— Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

M. Moulika Naidu is only a few days away from living her dream. After a brief stint as a ground staff, she is all set to become a cabin crew member soon.

It was like a dream come true for her as she always wanted to take up a flying job. After completing a diploma in aviation in Flying Cats post her Class XII, Moulika got selected as a ground staff in SpiceJet, Shamshabad through campus interview. “Soon, I realised that I am not cut for it. But the eight-month-long experience in the terminal gave me enough exposure to groom myself, dealing with irate customers. As a ground staff, one has to cope with immense stress. From flights being rescheduled to enquiries and managing the passengers’ luggage, most of the processes are handled by the staff. Even the slightest mistake will lead to a disaster,” says the girl from the city.

Initially, when Moulika got an opportunity as a cabin crew member, clearing preconceived notions turned out to be the biggest challenge. “Most of my relatives were under the impression that it’s not a respectable job. However, my mother has been extremely supportive and encouraged me to go ahead with my choice,” says the 20-year-old who lost her father when she was in Class VII.

Very soon, she is going to move to Kempegowda International Airport to start a fresh life. “There will be a minimum eight hours of flying per day and a lot of scope to learn. Since I love travelling, this will be an opportunity for me to visit new destinations,” says Moulika.

Moulika’s mother M. Usha Rani says she wanted her daughter to overcome all odds. “During our younger days, we never had so much of freedom or exposure. Fear will never take us anywhere. So, when my daughter said she wanted to be a cabin crew member, I never said no to her decision. As a single parent, I will definitely miss her when she is not around but I am happy that she followed her heart,” says the proud mother.

Though Moulika is bold enough to tread an unconventional path, a couple of things continue to bother her. “As a crew member I should go for hair straightening or tight curls and wear heavy make-up most part of the day. I am a little apprehensive that it might affect my hair and skin,” she adds.