'Not sustainable for me in terms of mental and physical health': Ex-SIA cabin crew dishes out the ups and downs of the job

'Not sustainable for me in terms of mental and physical health': Ex-SIA cabin crew dishes out the ups and downs of the job
PHOTO: Screengrab/TikTok/Diongdion

The life of a cabin crew is often perceived as luxurious, from jet-setting to stunning cities worldwide to staying at swanky hotels, and with a good salary to boot. 

However, that is just one facet of the job, and there is a lesser seen side that people tend to forget about. 

The life of a cabin crew

Ex-Singapore Airlines (SIA) cabin crew member Dion Ong took to TikTok to provide a glimpse into the reality of being a flight attendant - the good and the bad. 

In a 68-second video posted on Aug 30, the 27-year-old explained his reasons for leaving SIA. 

One of the factors he cited was the limited career progression, emphasising that it takes a considerable amount of time to advance through the ranks.

"There are a total of four ranks (flight stewards and stewardesses, leading stewards and stewardesses, chiefs and in-flight managers) and it really depends on the amount of work you put in to get promoted," Dion told AsiaOne.

After four years of flying, Dion found the work repetitive.

He said, "I'm doing the same thing over and over again," noting that the destinations visited by cabin crew become repetitive, leading to a lack of personal job satisfaction. 

The thought of leaving came about when he lost his grandmother to old age, which made him realise he wanted to spend more time with his family.

He added, "I also have relatives in Malaysia, so being apart for two years [due to Covid-19] also affected me." 

Another factor contributing to his decision to leave was the demanding work lifestyle.

As a cabin crew member, you work irregular hours, which can disrupt your body clock due to constantly changing time zones.

Dion told AsiaOne, "It's not sustainable for me in terms of mental and physical health."

What you gain 

With every job, there are always upsides.

In a separate TikTok video posted on Sept 19, he explained the benefits of working for SIA.

Firstly, your work life is dynamic and ever-changing.

"One day you wake up in Times Square, New York, and the next day you wake up in Shibuya, Japan," Dion described, illustrating the spontaneity of the job.

He also mentioned that you'll receive the "best training in the industry", making it more likely to secure a job within the service industry if you decide to switch careers.

Despite the isolating nature of being a cabin crew, being away from home, friends, and family, over time, "you can [experience] personal growth and development because you'll be alone most of the time."

He also mentioned that you'll gain a sense of filial piety and highlighted how he used the staff travel benefits to take his parents on overseas trips for free.

Lastly, he pointed out that there are multiple career options within SIA.

"If flying isn't for you, there are internal career opportunities," he added. 

Another positive aspect of the job is the pay.

"The starting pay is relatively high for a diploma holder," Dion told AsiaOne, explaining that, in a way, you get paid to travel the world and stay in beautiful cities.

In the comments section, he also mentioned that depending on your roster, you can expect a ballpark figure of $4,000 to $5,000 for non-degree holders and even $7,000 for ladies in a good month as they tend to get more flights on average.

PHOTO: Screengrab/TikTok/Diongdion

Currently, Dion is pursuing a communications degree at Singapore University of Social Sciences while running a small business, Delicate Ornaments, with his sister, selling jewelry and crystal accessories.

ALSO READ: Village life, 4-day work week and long waits: Singaporean woman explains what life in Netherlands is like

venkat.gunasellan@asiaone.com

No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    'He was jealous': Woman allegedly slashed with knife for chatting with 2 men below Jurong West block
    Who doesn't forget easily and who doesn't gossip? Hong Huifang, Cynthia Koh and Pierre Png, cast of new Singapore-Thai thriller, talk people politics
    Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
    This revamped Raffles Place food court has Michelin-recognised and cult-favourite brands - here's what to try
    Heartbroken dad dies hours after teen son is killed in motorcycle accident
    'We should not prejudge him': Ex-diplomat Bilahari Kausikan weighs in on Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore
    Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    Can Singapore run without air-conditioning or fossil fuels? We break down the innovations Temasek Foundation is backing for $2m
    4 women arrested in Yishun for allegedly offering sexual services disguised as massages
    Geylang petrol station employee, 77, dies after being hit by reversing car
    Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
    Malaysian man strikes $4m lottery after betting on his, girlfriend's IC numbers for 3 years

Singapore

Singapore
    • Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP
    • 'I believe there will be more opportunities in the future': Fresh poly graduate who took up contract role on job hunting
    • Economic Resilience Taskforce unveils new business grant, support for workers amid global trade jitters
    • 'A seminal leader who shaped Malaysia': Lee Hsien Loong wishes Mahathir happy birthday on his centennial
    • OCBC Group CEO Helen Wong to retire end-2025, Tan Teck Long appointed successor
    • All 12 government parliamentary committees to get new chairpersons, 19 first-term PAP MPs included as members
    • 'You need to do some homework': Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore under fire at Senate hearing
    • Man in Tampines tased by police officers after allegedly brandishing penknife at them
    • Singaporean fugitive nabbed in Thailand for alleged drug trafficking, turned over to CNB
    • Singapore must develop deeper relationships with China, US, Europe: Shanmugam

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years of jail for sexual assault
    • Sheila Sim takes haircutting course after giving daughter bad trim
    • 'I could not possibly discard the embryo': Lee Si-young pregnant with second child through IVF months after divorce
    • High energy, strong vocals: J-pop boy band Be:First makes explosive debut in Singapore
    • 'I was so excited I wanted to cry': Fans spend up to $50k in auction to experience a day with Jackson Wang
    • Tori Kelly reveals she is expecting her first baby
    • Jay-Z hits out at 'harassment' from man claiming to be his son
    • My Chemical Romance sparks speculation on new music with teasing clues on Instagram
    • Orlando Bloom breaks silence on split from Katy Perry with family photo
    • Nicki Minaj alleges Jay-Z owes her at least $128m

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • Singapore Food Festival returns in September, includes SG60 Specials series
    • 'Definitely a big improvement': How Chery went from cheap joke to become a competitive automotive player
    • I try Springleaf prata in a cup from a vending machine - how does it compare to the real deal?
    • Cat A COE prices cross $100k mark again in first bidding exercise for July 2025
    • Sleeping on the job: This company will pay people $7 per hour to nap
    • Chanel shows haute couture in private salon setting at Grand Palais
    • McDonald's launching Chilli Crab Sauce Burger in collab with Jumbo Seafood, also releasing limited-edition Lunch Bag

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts
    • Trump tax bill averts one debt crisis but makes future financial woes worse
    • Seller's stamp duty rates for private homes raised; holding period increased from 3 years to 4
    • Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: Ex-diplomat Bilahari Kausikan weighs in on Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore — and other top stories today
  • US wants South Korea to join efforts to counter China in shipbuilding
  • Effigies of refugees set alight on bonfire condemned in Northern Ireland
  • Asean agrees Myanmar election is not a priority, Malaysia says
  • Philippines' president to discuss tariffs in Trump meeting this July, top diplomat says
  • New Zealand braces for severe weather as storm threatens flooding
  • China offers to help resolve Thailand and Cambodia border dispute
  • South Korea, Japan and US conduct air drill as defence chiefs meet
  • US's Marco Rubio to meet China's Wang Yi in Malaysia amid trade tension

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
  • Singaporean drivers rack up over $17k in fines for VEP violations in 5 days
  • Roblox avatar and lantern: Star Awards 2025 looks that made us go 'huh?'
  • Long time no see! Sharon Au, Li Nanxing, Yvonne Lim and others return to Star Awards stage
  • 'Intimacy was not anything sexual', says man who drove car with lover's husband on bonnet
  • Boy, 9, has kidney removed after falling at Bukit Batok playground
  • 'We just want our money': Income Insurance shareholders disappointed at failed Allianz deal
  • Buying property in Malaysia as a Singaporean: 6 key restrictions to be aware of
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.