Practicum Report 8

01 FEBRUARY 2011 – TUESDAY

FORTY- FIFTH DAY– 1300-2100

I was assigned at the gate today and instead of positioning at the BCO, I stayed at the check-in counter first to assist Sir Josh. Ma’am Rovynne was shadowing/assisting him so I felt a little awkward because we were already three at the counter when one person could do the job already. Earl, Karen, and Keycelyn were asked to go to the MAAS counter at the departure entrance area. They were to assist two passengers who were first time travelers and one of them was an YP (young passenger). Earl was originally assigned at the check-in so I asked her if she want to exchange posts. She agreed so I, together with Keycelyn, assisted the passengers.

The immigration was full of departing passengers. Upon reaching the gate, the passenger we assisted went outside first. I already started my task at the gate with Ma’am Kamika and Keycelyn. Ma’am Kamika was one of the new trainees at Qantas but they were not yet regular employees. I and Keycelyn were a little annoyed because she told us to move as if we didn’t know our job. It was later that we knew some of the trainees were also having issues with her. When she left, we just continued our task. For me, it was alright to be commanded by the new trainees because they will eventually become our future bosses. However, her tone was not acceptable that time.

My head ached while I was ticking boarding passes because there were lots of noises around. Some of my co-practicumers were chatting while working. It was alright though as long as we do our jobs properly. I also enjoyed their company that time but I was a bit distracted and confused which really put a little stress on me.

While waiting for pushback, the new trainees teased and fooled me with one of their co-trainee whom they told had a crush on me. When mango icecream bars were given, the trainee gave me one which made them fool us around. He even asked for my number while we were collecting boarding passes. I was very ashamed that night because the Duty Airport Manager, Sir Eric, Assistant Supervisor Ma’am Nancy, and Senior Agent Sir Dustin, were just at the podium. I knew they heard the making fun of me of the trainees. Anyway, I just ignored it. I was uncomfortable because the trainees would be our future bosses and they didn’t act as such. For me, they must learn to behave properly. It’s not that we couldn’t have fun, it’s just that they’re still new to the group. As future senior agents of QF, they must act properly to gain the respect they want to have from us.

02 FEBRUARY 2011 – WEDNESDAY

FORTY- SIXTH DAY – 1000-1800

I was an hour late today but it’s alright since it’s a non-flight. When I arrived at the office, they were photocopying a book. I was also able to photocopy another book but it was a thicker one. I did the flipping of the pages of the book while Earl did press the buttons and Hsu and Mac and Karen took turns in stacking papers. I felt dizzy and weak in doing the task from around 12 to 2 in the afternoon, so I already stopped and Mac took my place. It was an achievement for me to have photocopied a thick book but I was worried at the radiation and what it might cause my health. Even so, I felt glad as time passed by quickly and I was able to finish photocopying almost the whole book, well, the last part, appendices, was done by Mac and it was the time I gave up already. Sir Larry called for Evan and Karen for a task. They imparted the task to us. There would be a board meeting tomorrow and six ushers were needed. Ancla and Hsu volunteered at once so I was left with no slot already since three girls and three boys were needed where Karen and Evan was already chosen. I wanted to join but I have no black dress and it was also too early. We planned for the things needed and finalized the ushers and usherettes. Then, since I was not joining, I just continued with my journal.

03 FEBRUARY 2011 – THURSDAY

FORTY – SEVENTH DAY – 1400-2200

This day I was an hour earlier. I started to go to office earlier and gain all the time I lost before. There was a board meeting today involving some Qantas agents, staff, security personnel, and other high authorities of Qantas and MIAA. My co-practicumers, Evan, Mac, Marky, Hsu, Karen, and Ancla ushered in the event. It was from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon, so I didn’t join because it was early and it was even a short notice.

I was assigned at the check-in counter today. I was with Sir Josh and Ma’am Kamika. Sir Josh was mentoring Kamika and I was surprised when Sir Josh told me to oversee her. He was a bit irritated to Ma’am Kamika maybe because of the issues with her.

During my duty at the counter, I was able to review some check-in information. Sir Eric reminded us to take down notes of some details we encounter so there would be fewer questions during duty. For change seat, press Shift F11. For domestic flights QF400 and above, swing tags must be placed. Some commands from agents today were: I was asked by Sir Josh to bring the passport of a passenger to Ma’am Pat. Next, Sir Jj told me to follow up the check-in baggage of two transit passengers from Cathay Pacific. I approached their counter and they even asked if I had a Facebook account and if they could be friends with me. This is what I enjoy at the airport, meeting new friends.

04 FEBRUARY 2011 – FRIDAY

FORTY – EIGHTH – 1000-1800

I was an hour late today. We did nothing today. We just watched a morbid movie “Guinea Pig” and a chick-flick movie “500 Days of Summer”. Ma’am Pat also invited us for McDonald’s delivery. Then, we just waited until it was 6 p.m.

05 FEBRUARY 2011 – SATURDAY

FORTY – NINTH – 1300-2100

I was assigned at the counter today. Everything went well during the check-in process though it will not be avoided that some passengers would have problems with their documents.

At the immigration, we searched for QF passengers at once to avoid delay in departure flight. I distinguished a family who’d be departing for QF. I was about to assist them at the gate after the body check but when they’ve passed the X-ray machine, an immigration/customs officer got the handcarry of the mother and checked it. She was about to confiscate a fork and spoon. I was irritated at the officer because she knew that QF was boarding already and I was telling them to be in a hurry but the officer was like intending to slow down the bag check. The security personnel and the immigration officers sometimes have mood swings. Sometimes they do bag checks, sometimes they don’t.

07 FEBRUARY 2011 – MONDAY

FIFTIETH DAY – 1200-2000

I was an hour earlier today. I was a bit nervous because it’s my second time only at the queue. However, I was also excited because in queue, I was able to interact with people especially while they’re waiting for their turn at the counter. Sometimes, I use the time to talk to them.

At the queue, I met my grade school teacher/adviser with her Australian husband. She was very surprised to see me after several years. She was shocked with my height and appearance. I was very glad to see her also. I also wasn’t able to pay attention to the passenger before them because I got excited to talk to her. After they have checked-in, she even took a picture with me. I told them that I’d meet them again later at the gate. Unfortunately, I didn’t see them again because I was tasked to go at the Immigration. At the queue, an Australian was also amazed at my height. It was unusual for them to see tall Filipinas.

After queuing, I together with the other agents and practicumers, started looking for QF passengers since we had an early arrival, which meant we would also try to depart the aircraft earlier.

08 FEBRUARY 2011 – TUESDAY

FIFTY – FIRST DAY – 1300-2100

We had a class meeting at UST today from 0800-1000. We talked about the practicum report and research and graduation guidelines. There was also a job fair at the Plaza Mayor which started today, 08 February, until 10 February. I was able to submit three resumes at American Express, Rajah Travel Corporation, and Chateau (restaurants). I also signed up at GoFluent, WMS, and Philippine Airlines. I was glad to have experienced the job fair as I was able to expose myself in different companies. It felt good for me to submit resumes. Even if I wasn’t accepted yet, I got excited in searching for jobs that would suite my capabilities.

I had a duty today. My time-in was 2 p.m. already because we left late from UST. I was assigned at BCO-Gate today. It was very tiring day today because of the hot temperature. At BCO, we interacted with a priest whom I thought was weird. Sir Cyrus was calm explaining him that he had to remove his carry-on from his check-in because his baggage was in excess of three kilos. The priest answered back in a scary tone and told Sir Cyrus “I am being irate because you are irate”. His eyes were directed straight at Sir Cyrus and we were all scared. He was like the priests in an exorcism movie.

After BCO, I went down to the gate.

09 FEBRUARY 2011 – WEDNESDAY

FIFTY – SECOND DAY – 1000-1800

I came an hour late today but my co-practicumers were not yet around either. I just did my practicum report. Sir Eric requested me to go to BDO arrival area to pay for his bills.

The whole afternoon we arranged the documents needed for the practicum report. We searched for the history of Qantas as well as other information in the Qantas manuals.

After planning for practicum report, we watched “Burlesque”. Sir Larry came so the movie was paused, but we eventually continued it until it was already past 6 in the evening.

10 FEBRUARY 2011 – THURSDAY

FIFTY – THIRD DAY – 1400-2200

I was two hours earlier today since I’m trying to use up my time wisely. I was assigned at check-in counter today. Today, we were able to interview Sir Larry, the Airport Manager, for our practicum research.

I was assigned at the counter today but I wasn’t able to work at my post because I was asked to MAAS a mother with a child. They had a stroller with them and 2 check-in bags and 2 carry-ons. It was hard for them to carry all of those so they asked for assistance.

Upon reaching the gate, Ma’am Roslyn saw me and asked me to buy her food. After following her request, I went back to the counter. There was a late arrival so we waited for almost an hour before doing immigration.

It was boarding time already. We were at the immigration area looking for passengers. All have already boarded except for one. We spent several minutes looking for that one missing passenger. Then we learned that the passenger had already boarded and his boarding pass was not fed properly by the machine. We went home at 10 in the evening already.