Flight Attendant EQ Management Is a Huge Challenge – EVA Air’s Braces-Wearing Crew Member Chung Yun-Chen: “I’m Touched When Someone Says Thank You”

Reported by You [Name Redacted] / Taipei

What makes a flight attendant the most beautiful? In EVA Air’s 2014 desk calendar, Chung Yun-Chen, who represented the months of May and June, successfully captured the long, lingering cultural essence of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre’s “Song of the Wanderers.” But what you might not know is that Chung Yun-Chen, who appeared in the calendar wearing braces, was the first EVA Air “braces girl” to take on the starring role in the calendar photoshoot.


                                 ▲ EVA Air’s braces-wearing flight attendant Chung Yun-Chen. (Photo / Reporter You [Name Redacted])

“When I first got the opportunity from the company to audition, I immediately agreed. Later, when I was officially selected for the shoot, I was really excited.” Looking back on being chosen for the company photoshoot, Chung Yun-Chen said it was her first experience in modeling work, where she learned many new things. “I didn’t expect it to be so difficult.”

Having worn braces for nearly a year, Chung Yun-Chen wasn’t shy about appearing in photos with them. “Some passengers actually thought it was quite unique.” She explained that most flight attendants get their teeth straightened before joining the airline, because wearing braces on the job requires a doctor’s certificate and prior approval and notification to the company. “My braces are clear, so they’re more aesthetically pleasing and not very noticeable.”

Having worked as a flight attendant for EVA Air for two years, Chung Yun-Chen, who completed her studies while working part-time, has experience in various service industries. For her, the biggest difference between being a flight attendant and other service jobs is learning how to manage your emotions. “Flight attendants often get tired due to long flights and jet lag, so emotional management is especially important,” Chung Yun-Chen noted. She recalled a time when a flight was delayed by seven hours due to weather conditions. The crew hadn’t rested for a long time and still had to face angry passengers yelling and venting negative emotions. “Many passengers observe our behavior onboard — from serving meals to seeing them off, and even when they leave the plane, if they say ‘thank you’ or ‘you worked hard,’ it touches us deeply.”

On the plane, you often have to handle all kinds of issues. Not only do you need to learn various flight procedures, but you also have to hide your fatigue. Chung Yun-Chen recalled that during one short-haul flight, an elderly woman in a wheelchair, after feeling the thoughtful service from the cabin crew, tightly held Chung Yun-Chen’s hand before disembarking. “At that moment, I truly felt warmth, and I told myself in my heart that no matter how tired I am, I must persevere.”

As for the “world-traveling flight attendant job” that many girls dream of, Chung Yun-Chen has been doing it for two years. For her, the job isn’t just about traveling around the world, but also about learning the right attitude. “Many people may find that being a flight attendant is very different from what they imagined, but I think once you’ve chosen this path, you shouldn’t give up easily. That’s the most important thing.” Speaking about her future as a flight attendant, Chung Yun-Chen’s tone is full of hope, just as warm as the impression she gives.


▲ At the EVA Air calendar launch event, braces-wearing flight attendant Chung Yun-Chen is the third from the left. (Photo / Reporter You [Name Redacted])

Farewell to 2013, 2014 is just around the corner! In the final five days of this year, ETtoday Eastday Travel Cloud and China Airlines have joined forces to give away five desk calendars and five wall calendars to readers — that’s a total of ten lucky winners who will receive the exclusive 2014 EVA Air desk calendar, which combines Taiwanese cultural creativity with beautiful flight attendants and is not available for purchase elsewhere!

How to Participate in the EVA Air Desk Calendar Giveaway:
1. Please “like” the Travel Cloud Facebook fan page
2. In the comments section of the event link on Facebook, TAG two friends whom you wish to have an incredibly smooth and lucky year ahead. The event link is as follows:
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=657078281011189&set=a.244979138887774.72137.244954082223613&type=1&theater

Event Period:
From now until 23:59 on January 6, 2014. Winners will be drawn by Travel Cloud staff at the end of the period.