Become an airline "brand ambassador" — but first, learn to sing "Pork Rice Dumplings"?

Reported by You T-Ru / Taipei

Want to be a flight attendant? First, you might need to sing "Pork Rice Dumplings"? A national airline recruiting flight attendants and brand ambassadors saw as many as 1,200 applicants in the first wave, with 159 candidates advancing to the next stage. The airline held its second-round interview today (3rd), emphasizing clear logic, quick wit, and verbal communication skills. Candidates were especially tasked with promoting the company’s positive image and introducing in-flight meal options to examiners in creative ways. One candidate even picked up the menu and sang "Pork Rice Dumplings" to introduce Taiwan’s signature snack.

▲Candidates introduce in-flight meal options to examiners in creative ways. (Photo / TransAsia Airways)

"Pork rice dumplings, pork rice dumplings." To test the candidates’ reactions, those in the second round of interviews only learned upon arrival that they would need to promote the company’s positive image and creatively introduce in-flight meals. Though initially flustered by the task, the candidates quickly adapted, studying their scripts and the five meal options, with some even starting to role-play on the spot. What was once a quiet waiting area became lively. Some candidates got creative by singing "Pork Rice Dumplings" to introduce a similar Taiwanese rice cake, or using Hokkien slang to talk about nostalgic pork rib rice — the scene was full of humor.

TransAsia Airways emphasized that when international visitors come to Taiwan, their first impression often comes from the friendly flight attendants and delicious in-flight meals. Therefore, the training and demeanor of flight attendants, as well as the selection of in-flight meal options, are especially important. All in-flight meals feature delicious Taiwanese specialties. These are familiar to locals but might be surprising to find on a plane — the goal is to let passengers experience Taiwan’s rich and warm hospitality right from the first bite.


▲The five meal options given to candidates during the second-round interview were "Mushroom Pork Rice," "Sesame Oil Chicken with Vermicelli," "Taiwanese Rice Cake and Potstickers," "Egg Yolk Wontons | Thin Noodles," and "Pork Rib Rice." (Photo / TransAsia Airways)
TransAsia Airways’ flight attendant recruitment second-round interviews will take two days to complete interviews with all 159 candidates, from which 40 will advance to the third stage. Those who pass will be notified via SMS. The third-stage interviews are scheduled for the end of October. Candidates who successfully become new flight attendants and brand ambassadors for TransAsia Airways will begin training in mid-November after completing a medical check. Those who pass the final training exam early next year (2014) will officially become TransAsia flight attendants, serving passengers across East Asian skies.