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PHOTO ©TONY FRENCH
WHEN THEYANNOUNCED
that I’d
won the Spirit of easyJet award, I was
gobsmacked. At the award ceremony,
they got these four people up on the
stage to give speeches about the
winner, saying it was a person who had
shown an outstanding contribution.
When I saw them, I thought, “Oh, those
are all people I work with... who can it
possibly be?” It was only when one of
them said that the winner was known
for being a bit of a disco diva that I knew
it had to be me. Even then it didn’t really
register. It took weeks for it to sink in.
What was especially amazing was
that, as part of my prize, there is now an
aircraft withmy name on it.The day after
the awards, I was back at Gatwick when
someone toldmemy plane was coming
in.We ran over to the NorthTerminal just
as it landed.When it taxied towards us,
I just cried. It was so overwhelming.The
captain let me sit in the cockpit leaning
out of the window and pointing at my
name. It was one of themost amazing
things to ever happen tome.
We’ve been joking about how long
my name will be on it – until I fall from
grace, I suggested – but I think it’ll
be for however long easyJet has it.
I haven’t flown on it yet, but I’m sure I’ll
get the chance.What I’d really love is to
get my mumon it – that would be great.
It’s the ultimate reward for just doing
a job I love. I’ve always wanted to be
cabin crew, but after college I ended
up as a travel agent for Going Places.
When that company merged with
Thomas Cook four years ago, I decided
it was a good opportunity to look at
doing something different. Aprevious
manager of mine was working at
easyJet and convincedme to join.
It was a steep learning curve, but the
job is hugely rewarding. I oversee the
day-to-day cabin services operation at
Gatwick. As there are 1,200 cabin crew,
there’s never a dull moment, but I enjoy
it as I feel I have the opportunity to
change things.
The best thing about my job is being
able tomake a difference. I am really,
really passionate about what I do.
Helping people – whether it’s crew or
passengers – is what I love to do and
that’s its own reward. The award is just
the icing on the cake. Not that I was
considering going anywhere before, but
now that I’ve name on an aircraft, I’ll
have to stay around!
Mandy Efthimiadis
has her name on a plane
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Spirit of easyJet award-winner
Mandy Efthimiadis
on the rewards of enthusiasm